Calendar Class of July 4, 2025

A Carpe Diem Snapshot:

One of the best parts of celebrating the Fourth of July at Piety Hill is the variety of interesting friends (not counting relatives) who happen to attend Mecosta's annual parade. Here, we have an Englishman consulting with an American bagpiper in a kilt! The girls and I got to ride the Coffee and Cream Train in the parade, along with a Spaniard from Barcelona! We tried to race Pastor Dar's bluegrass music float but his tractor won. Too bad all this fun and frivolity only happens once a year!

Liturgical: Friday of the 13th Week of Ordinary Time

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Matthew 9:9-13

Sanctoral: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Italy +1925. Here's a short video about the soon-to-be-saint by Bishop Barron. And an animated short film.

Elizabeth of Portugal (1271 – July 4, 1336)

The work of promoting peace is anything but a calm and quiet endeavor. It takes a clear mind, a steady spirit and a brave soul to intervene between people whose emotions are so aroused that they are ready to destroy one another. This is all the more true of a woman in the early 14th century. But Elizabeth had a deep and sincere love and sympathy for humankind, an almost total lack of concern for herself, and an abiding confidence in God. These were the tools of her success.

Human: Fourth of July 2025: Celebrate with History, Traditions, and Recipes

This holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by delegates from the 13 colonies on July 4, 1776. On the 4th, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. This is the day we celebrate the birth of the United States of America.

Natural: American Summer Sliders (Mini-Burgers) Recipe

Italian: Aspirapolvere (vacuum cleaner)

Quote: “Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony ‘that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States might rightfully do…’

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival… . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

--On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote these words to his wife Abigail, describing the way that he hoped future Americans would celebrate their independence.