LIFE NOTES June 2014 Pro Life Topics Freedom We invite you to take a moment to research the historical impact of these dates in our country’s history and discuss with your children, family members and friends. Then, fast forward to 2014 and reflect. For a third year, the U.S. bishops are once again calling for a Fortnight for Freedom from June 21-July 4, 2014 which is a me of prayer and acon to address many current challenges to religious liberty. This year's theme is Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Serve, to relate our religious liberty with service to the poor and vulnerable. For more informaon and for resources, please visit archindy.org/religiousfreedom May 26, 2014 - Memorial Day (1868) June 14, 2014 - Flag Day (1777) July 4, 2014 - Independence Day (1776) The Star Spangled Banner …And on Mine arm shall they trust. – Isaiah 51:5 In 1814, Francis Sco Key wrote the poem, Defense of Fort McHenry. The poem was later put to the tune of John Stafford Smith's song) The Anacreonc Song, modified somewhat, and retled The Star Spangled Banner. Congress proclaimed The Star Spangled Banner the U.S. Naonal Anthem in 1931. Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursng in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was sll there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fiully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the mornings first beam, In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vaunngly swore That the havoc of war and the bale's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' polluon. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolaon; Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a naon! Then conquer we must, when our cause is just, And this be our moo: "In God is our trust" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." "If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - from If My People Will Pray by Jimmy Owens, based on II Chronicles 7:14 Our Lady of America, Patroness of Our Land, pray for us! ourladyofamerica.org