By Marie Garro, Hospitality Intern
Freedom to practice our faith as Christians has been on many minds as we enter into the summer season. As a tribute to religious liberty, Fortnight for Freedom will be observed leading up to July 4th. The theme set by the US Bishops Conference for this year’s fortnight is “Witnesses to Freedom” and to kickoff Fortnight for Freedom, here at St. Joseph’s Home, the film “Man of all Seasons” was shown. “Man of all Seasons” focuses on St. Thomas Moore and refusal to approve of the divorce of King Henry VIII.
The other hospitality interns and I put on skit before the movie. Katelyn introduced Juleana as St. John Fischer and me as St. Thomas Moore. As someone who dabbles in slam poetry, I prepared a short poem to read off as St. Thomas Moore on religious liberty.
Why we talk of religious liberty?
The answer will not be the sky opening up kind of news
Because religious liberty is really very simple.
It’s habited sisters walking around publicly.
It’s the cross hanging around my neck.
It’s the face that churches are not underground.
We talk about religious liberty not because we are an attention deprived group of people.
Not because of money or even converting.
It’s not about who’s a democrat or republican either.
This is not politics. This is about requesting respect.
I don’t have to flip too many pages back in history to reference times of violence done to people because of their faith.
Why we talk of religious liberty has to do simply with understanding our human rights should be protected.
Ending this rant, poem or speech or what have you in prayer is something I can do without fear of getting arrested
I pray that everyone can pray and never have to fear harm will come to them because of it.
And may we as a country, as a people stray from a violent reality.
Juleana also recited the last words of St. John Fischer: “I die the king’s good servant, but God’s first!” Enjoy Fortnight for Freedom, everyone, and happy Independence Day!
Fortnight for Freedom Kickoff