Knights Hold Memorial Day Mass
The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Lawrence A. Vieck Assembly, celebrated a Memorial Day Mass on May 25 at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Washington. Father Gordon Mann, pastor of Our Lady of Hope, and Father James Koressel, Dean of the Washington Deanery and pastor of St Peter Parish in Montgomery, concelebrated the Mass for and in memory of deceased veterans and their families.
This was the 40th year of commemoration, which was initiated in 1975 by the late Father Robert Deig and the late Father Raymond Schroering at the request of the Assembly. At that time, it was the community Mass for the Washington parishes of St. Mary and St. Simon, which merged in 2008 to form Our Lady of Hope Parish.
This year, it was a Mass for Our Lady of Hope and St. Peter parishes – and for Catholics across the Washington Deanery. More than 200 parishioners and visitors attended. In previous years, the Mass was celebrated at St John Cemetery utilizing the altar constructed by Sir Knight John Healy.
After Mass, members of the Washington Council, 3rd degree Knights of Columbus served breakfast for attendees in the Knights’ dining room.
Following breakfast, 1966 Washington Catholic School graduate Lt. Gen. Tony Jones provided a brief presentation on the history and importance of Memorial Day. He stressed the obligation of this generation to educate future generations on the tradition, importance and values of the veterans who gave their lives in service to America. They and their families suffered immeasurable loss – both physically and mentally.
Memorial Day was first celebrated May 1, 1865; and beginning on May 30, 1868, it was observed as Decoration Day. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day an official national holiday to honor those who had died in all wars, and it was shifted to the last Monday of the month.
The Message thanks the Lawrence A. Vieck Assembly for this story and photo.
