Photo Caption: About 50 people took a prayerful, public stand for religious freedom in Hennepin on July 4 with a rosary walk led by the Knights of Columbus, Father Delo Council 11223.

By: By Jennifer Willems

HENNEPIN — Members of two central Illinois parishes didn’t need fireworks to make it clear where they stood on the subject of religious freedom on Independence Day. All they did was raise their voices — in prayer.

About 50 people joined the Knights of Columbus, Father Delo Council 11223 of St. Patrick Parish in Hennepin and Sacred Heart Parish in Granville, for a rosary walk on July 4. As the village’s holiday celebration was taking place in Walter Durley Boyle Park, the Knights of Columbus led a peaceful walk down Court Street while Father Patrick DeMeulemeester, pastor, led parishioners in prayer.

The walk came at the end of the Fortnight for Freedom, which was called for by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and held June 21 to July 4. (For related story on the closing Mass in Washington, D.C., click here.)

In Hennepin the observance included Holy Hours on June 21, and July 3, and a Mass on July 4, in addition to the rosary walk.

“Our faith is more than just worshipping God,” Father DeMeulemeester told the group before they started. “It’s also doing what God wants us to do and that is to continue his mission — to spread the Good News, to feed the poor, to give drink to the thirsty, to visit those who are sick and to care for those who are sick, to visit those in prison, to clothe the naked.”

He said Catholics do this through their schools, hospitals and Catholic Charities. In some of these areas, the Catholic Church and other people of faith have been asked to do things they find morally offensive, which is a violation of their religious liberty.

“If you read the history of the church, praying — especially the rosary — has even averted wars,” Father DeMeulemeester said. “That’s why we’re here. It’s not just for Catholics but for people of all faiths, so we can worship in faith.”

STANDING UP FOR JESUS
Making their witness visual as well as vocal, parishioners wore blue t-shirts that had an image of the crucified Christ and the words, “He Died for Us, We Must Stand Up for Him,” on the front and “Pray for Religious Freedom” on the back. The banner carried by Knights of Columbus Dave Giudici and Bill Migliorini also invited people to “Pray for Religious Freedom in America.”

The idea for the walk came up during a Knights of Columbus meeting. Father DeMeulemeester told the men about some of the ways religious groups were feeling pressured and one of the members suggested doing something when everyone was gathered for the Independence Day festivities.

They got encouragement not only from Father DeMeulemeester but from Father M. Duane Leclercq, former pastor and now a senior priest of the Diocese of Peoria.

Migliorini ordered 60 t-shirts for the walkers to wear and expected to sell out of them by the time everything was said and done.

“I think everyone should have the right to religious freedom, how we worship God, and no one should have the right to take that away from us,” said Jolene Loebach, who wore the rosary she received at her First Communion in addition to a t-shirt. “It’s more important than anything else.”

“If we can help one person, we’ve done our best,” Dave Giudici told The Catholic Post.

“It’s what Pope Francis says — you cannot wait for people to come to church. You’ve got to go out to the people,” Father DeMeulemeester said.