Bishop Pevec Mass and Blessing CWV Monument

Bishop A Edward Pevec

St. Vitus Church - November 8, 2009

Back in the 1940's, when life itself seemed so much more simple, the entire world found itself sucked into the throes of a horrendous war. After marching into and taking over the Suedetenland, Nazi Germany tested its military might even more drastically and invaded Poland in September of 1939. Most of the world stood by and watched Germany swallow up nation after nation. England, however, would have none of this and declared war on Germany. France sided with England and also declared war. The lines were drawn: Germany and the Axis Powers against England and France and their Allies.

Our country steered a neutral course and officially was not part of the conflict until December S, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor when at the request of President Roosevelt, Congress declared war against Japan and then against Germany and the other Axis nations.

The times wreaked havoc with the lives of so many. The military draft called up young fathers, sons, brothers, and sweethearts, plucked them out of their homes and jobs, and brought them into the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard. Life became so different. All over there were posters of Uncle Sam, pointing his finger at ever passer-by. "Uncle Sam Wants You?" The message was clear. The war enveloped our nation and life would never be the same. Almost on every street there hung in the windows a Blue Star, indicating that the mother who lived there was a Blue Star mother with a son in the service. Even here in our church, at this side altar, there were the names of the young parishioners who were serving their country in the military. It was the parish honor roll. And there were a lot of names, reminding all who came to church, especially on Sundays and on Tuesdays for the Sorrowful Mother Novena, to pray for those who were so far away, fighting on foreign soil for the freedom that was so much a part of the American heritage.

On only too many occasions there was that sad time when one of these boys lost his life in battle, and the Blue Stars became Gold Stars. The Gold Star mothers received a lot of prayerful support from neighbors and friends who tried to understand the pains of grief. On the parish honor roll a gold star marked the names of those who died. World War II ended in August of 1945, thanks to the prayers of so many. But thousands of American lives had been lost. You would think the lesson had been learned. But five years later there was Korea, and only too soon after that, Vietnam. Lives would continue to be disrupted and more would be lost.

Today we honor the memory of 43 sans of our parish whose fight for God, country, and home cost them their lives. Perhaps the passing of time has dulled some of our memories. There are entire generations who have no idea who these men were. The Catholic War Veterans of St.Vitus Post 1655 want to make sure that these 43 men will not be forgotten. That's quite a number from one parish. Today we will bless the stone monument in the rectory courtyard as our way of assuring these courageous souls how grateful we are to them for their supreme sacrifice. We thank our Catholic War Vets for providing us with this memorial. Some members of Post 1655 know that if were not for God's providence and protection, theirs could have been one of those names.

These forty-three men fought and died in World War II or Korea or Vietnam. We can't even imagine the pain felt by their families when they were told, "I regret to inform you...." These were men who put their lives on the line for a future free of tyranny and oppression. They were not in the service of our country to die; they served to live, and it was all too tragic to have as many from this parish community have their lives snuffed out in battlefields far away.   Every one of them had hopes of returning home but these hopes were shattered by fire from an enemy they really didn't know. The cost in terms of human life makes war senseless.

We want to believe that the monument will serve as an incentive to pray more fervently for peace in our world. We must realize we are here in church this morning because these 43 were among the many that were willing to die to defend our right to worship our God as we want.

Today is Stewardship Sunday when we are asked to think of our giving in terms of the three "T's"-Time, Talent, Treasure. These are the gifts we are to share with-give to-- others if we are really good stewards of the gifts God has given us.

On a day when we recall those 43 who have given their all, we don't concern ourselves with our motives for doing as we do or giving as we give. The history of the financial support of St. Vitus parish shows that the parishioners of St. Vitus are a very generous people. This church building is a result of your families' sacrifices during the days of the Great Depression. Giving even a little, as did the poor widow in today's Gospel, was really giving a lot. Seventy-seven years ago, this beautiful church rose from the ground as a tribute to those whose nickels and dimes made construction possible. Treasure for the people of St. Vitus was never a question. Nor are Time and Talent. How willingly you give your Time to your fellow parishioners! A listening ear is a great blessing. How generously you share your Talent for St.Vitus, whether it's cooking, sweeping, baking, visiting, fixing, planting, ushering, collecting, singing, reading--you name it. You are good stewards of your Time and of your Talent.

Sometimes, when we feel we're doing enough and giving enough, we might want to think of those 43 men who did and who gave so much. They did their utmost and they gave their all. We thank them always for theirpatriotism, their love, and their generosity. We are so grateful to them for giving us such a good example of what it means to do and to give. May their generous and courageous souls rest in peace with the God they served so well.

May God shed blessing on all the kind and thoughtful members of our Catholic War Veterans Post 1655-the living that they may continue to enjoy their life with us and the dead that they may enter into eternal life.

Amen.