THURSDAY MAY 21, 2026
SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
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America’s 160th Memorial Day
uring each and every year since the end of our Civil War in 1865, citizens of the United States of America have observed Memorial Day in many ways. Including this current year of 2026, from 1866 until now we have experienced a total of 160 Memorial Days. It has become a Holiday with a long history, like our Independence Day on July 4, 1776, 250 years ago. And Memorial Day is a countrywide Federal Holiday always observed on the last Monday in May: May 25 this year. There are still some questions about just when and how America’s Memorial Day observances began. For example, it was first called “Decoration Day” because it involved bringing flowers to the graves of Civil War veterans in the South. This likely started in Columbus, Georgia, in 1866. A few years later, John Logan, the Commander-in-Chief of a Union
veterans’ brotherhood entitled “The Grand Army”, was the first to proclaim that Decoration Day should be observed nationwide. Although there are still some historic questions, the Decoration Day observances in the North perhaps began in Waterloo, New York, in 1873. By 1890, 25 years after it began, Decoration Day was observed in every state in the Union. The bodies of countless Civil War soldiers had been reverently interred in newly established cemeteries, such as the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania and the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The name of “Memorial Day” gradually took the place of Decoration Day, and was officially proclaimed as such in 1966, 100 years after the first observances. Of course, there are other days that celebrate America’s brave service men and women. Armed Forces Day (also in May) commemorates
both active and former military personnel and Veterans Day (November 11) celebrates former service personnel who are still alive. But it’s important to remember that Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in the American military. And it recalls that the Civil War, which had as many as 700,000 deaths, experienced more military fatalities than any other American war we have ever fought (including World War II). A thought and a prayer for all of our military heroes who have given their lives in war would certainly not be too much to ask. And please remember that Memorial Day is considered to be our informal but important beginning of summer in the U.S.A. As you think of that, please also remember that Labor Day will informally end America’s summer season on Monday, September 7, in 2026. What other nation on Earth begins and ends its summer
with two key Holidays? Along with their weekends as well? Take a little time to think about yourself over the Memorial weekend. What is truly important to you? Create your own Memorial Day by reflecting on what you did (or didn’t do) so far this year; then figure out what you’ll do this summer. Remember, we’ve already experienced recordsetting sunshine and temperatures this month. So be sure to take advantage of what’s to come.
Happy Memorial Day! Happy Summer!
Congratulations Father Peter Schirripa, Parochia Vicor New Assignment in June
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ather Peter Schirripa, our Parochial Vicar, with mixed emotions, shares that Archbishop Richard Henning has assigned him to the Assistant Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Boston as well as the Catholic Chaplain at MIT Catholic Center. Fr. Peter’s new assignment will begin in midJune. We will have an opportunity to thank Fr. Peter for his ministry here in South Boston more formally before his departure. We are saddened with Fr. Peter’s departure
from our Parishes; however, we realize that this new assignment is important to the Archbishop and our Archdiocese. We will keep Fr. Peter in our prayers over the next month as he moves to his new assignment. We will have a chance to say goodbye to Fr. Peter at the following receptions on Sunday, June 7th following the 9AM Mass at Gate of Heaven Church in the downstair Hall and following the 10:30AM Mass at St. Brigid Church in the downstairs Hall. Thank You and God Bless You, Fr. Peter