“9/11 Appreciation”
As we commemorate and remember the anniversary of “9/11” we at St. John’s show our appreciation to those who serve our community in Law Enforcement and Fire Protection. The men and women of our community deserve our recognition and appreciation for their service to our community. A gift basket of snacks is brought to the Police department. Local and Rural fire stations, highway patrol, and sheriffs department.
“Military Appreciation Month”
National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM), as designated by Congress, provides a period encompassing both the history and recognition of the members and families of our military. This very important month honors, remembers, recognizes and appreciates all military personnel; those men and women who have served throughout our history and all who now serve in uniform and their families as well as those Americans who have given their lives in defense of our freedoms we all enjoy today. It recognizes those on active duty in all branches of the services, the National Guard and Reserves plus retirees, veterans, and all of their families - well over 90 million Americans and more than 230 years of our nation’s history. Let us celebrate them just as we celebrate the other important entities that make up this wonderful country of ours.
Here at St. John’s one special event we offer is held on the third Saturday of May, the designated National Military Appreciation Day, by offering the 5:00 PM Mass for our military families and veterans. The Mass is followed by a dinner in their honor in which the whole parish is invited to attend along with a special invitation sent to the Minot Air Force Base Chapel.
This tradition of our parish is our way of praying for and supporting the military families who have been in our community since the parish was founded.
“Blue Fridays”
The Candles that say, we care about our troops!
The first thing a soldier says when asked “What can we do to make things better for you? Is this:
“We need your support and your prayers.”
It is 12:01 AM Friday morning. In the darkened church of St. John the Apostle, three candles are lit to begin a 24 hour vigil and reminder to pray for the men and women in our military. As we lift them up in prayer… May God bless them.
The Blue Candle …
To remind us to pray for those currently serving in the military, especially those who are deployed – for their safety.
The Red Candle …
To remind us to pray for those men and women who have served in the military, in need of physical, emotional and spiritual healing.
The White Candle …
To remind us to pray for those who have died for this country and the family and friends who mourn their loss.
Together the three candles represent the prayers of a grateful nation and united in faith we ask for God’s blessings upon our country and those serving it, as well as those who have sacrificed so much.