(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)
JANESVILLE — It’s not uncommon for a pastor to greet parishioners in a gathering space prior to Mass or a prayer service. On this particular day, the pastor’s presence took on a special meeting.
Msgr. Donn Heiar, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville, was vested not in what is traditionally expected by a priest, but in a full military uniform.
Monsignor Heiar was appointed the new pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in spring. Msgr. James Uppena served as administrator of the parish until Monsignor Heiar’s recent return from chaplaincy deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan with his ongoing service in the Wisconsin Air National Guard.
Monsignor Heiar spoke with many parishioners who greeted him with a “welcome home,” as well as former veterans, thanking each other for their service to their country.
Student-led service
As the church filled with parishioners of all ages, St. John Vianney School students walked in class-by-class, dressed in red and white clothes and wearing large red paper poppies on their shirts.
Fifth graders in teacher John Schwank’s class lined up behind the ambo as they prepared to lead the prayer service. They announced the opening hymn, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
The students then welcomed everyone to their observance of the “very special holiday,” followed by a reading from the Book of Job.
Next, they thanked those who had fallen in the service of their country and thanked them for the love they showed by making the ultimate sacrifice.
Celebrating Veterans Day
Students presented ways to observe Veterans Day. They asked everyone to spend two minutes in silence as parishioners bowed their heads to concentrate on those “who died defending the cause of freedom.”
The students also suggested flying a flag in the yard to remind others “this is a day to honor those who served,” as well as spending some time in prayer to “give thanks to God for those who served defending the cause of freedom.”
“Last, but not least,” one student remarked, “wear a poppy” in honor of those who have fallen, based on the poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem, written during World War I, recalls fallen soldiers buried below where red poppies quickly grow. The poppy is now a symbol for remembering fallen soldiers. Another student read the poem.
A student called it “a happy day” for celebrating those who fought for the everyday freedoms we enjoy. Even though some veterans fell in battle, their story did not end there because of the hope of their resurrection with Jesus in heaven, said the student.
Chaplain reflects
Monsignor Heiar then spoke, saying “peace be with you.” He asked everyone to reflect on how some things stay the same, and yet some things change, such as the military uniform over the past centuries and wars. Whenever he puts on his uniform, he thinks about those who “put on the uniform and dedicated their lives to the freedom we celebrate today,” even if the uniform’s appearance changed over time.
One thing that never changes is our faith and God’s love for us, he noted. As a chaplain, he is not allowed to carry a weapon. “In fact,” he said, “the weapon that we carry is our faith.”
His duty is to offer the sacraments to the troops and build their morale. “We do that through our faith,” he said, something that “never changes.”
Monsignor Heiar then spoke of the “gut-wrenching” duties involved when soldiers are killed in action. “One of the things that we’re called to do is to be that prayer, and send the troop home,” when a fallen soldier’s body is sent from his overseas assignment back to the U.S., where a grieving family awaits.
He recalled a time when he was needed after a sergeant in an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit was killed on a mission. Monsignor Heiar was called to an air base to perform religious duties during the dignified transfer of the remains.
“Chaplains don’t command, we don’t carry a weapon, we uphold the spirit,” he said.
He invited all veterans in attendance to stand as St. John Vianney School band instructor Cathy Mumma played taps, while the veterans saluted the flag. The students announced the closing song, “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.”
Monsignor Heiar met with more parishioners and former veterans after the service.
St. John Vianney School Principal Judi Dillon said the prayer service was “very special.”