June 2, 2013 - Saint John The Evangelist

Memorial Day Remembrance Mass
More than 500 parishioners attended the Memorial Day
Remembrance Mass organized by pastoral musician Tom Oram
this past Monday, May 27. Concelebrated by Fr. John Rourke
and Fr. Tom Kelly, the 8:30 a.m. Mass touched on the sacrifices
made by those members of our Armed Forces who died fighting
for our freedom.
The celebration began with prelude music of Here I am Lord
and Have Mercy on Us (A Soldier”s Prayer). Tom Oram’s great
uncle was killed in action over Western Europe in 1943 and this
composition was found among his possessions after his death.
The Marine Corps League of Naples presented and posted
the colors and fired a rifle salute to the fallen. Sgt. Robert
McDonald played taps which brought tears to many in the
congregation. Sgt. McDonald is a WW II veteran and served in
the U.S. Army 8th Air force.
In his homily, Fr. Rourke spoke of his classmates who went
off to war, and “How I remember those gold star flags hanging
in the homes of those who perished in the fight.” “They were
known as the Gold Star Mothers.” Fr. Rourke suggested a visit
to a National Cemetery “will give a lesson in mortality as you
gaze upon the countless white headstones of those warriors
interred there.”
When St. John parishioner Peter Tunucci was asked what he
thought about the Mass, he said, “I would not miss this Mass
for anything” and the U.S. Army veteran added, “The music
and choir were just spectacular and set the tone of why we are
here, to honor those who died for us.”
The mass concluded with Tom’s special rendition of The Battle
Hymn of the Republic.
text by Tom Middelemiss,eventpixer.com
photos by Gerald Mierzwa
June 2, 2013 ~ The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
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