Veterans Day falls on a Monday this year allowing the diocesan Red, White and Blue Mass to occur just a day prior. Veterans and those wishing to prayerfully honor them are invited to the Mass. St. Anne’s in Gilbert is hosting this year with the liturgy beginning at 11 a.m.
That same day, on the other side of the Valley, St. Helen in Glendale will be holding a Patriotic Rosary and a flag retirement ceremony following the 12:15 p.m. liturgy.
Being the Rosary, you can offer one any time for the country and each of the 50 states. Feel free to order this Rosary for the United States.
Just beyond Veterans Day on Nov. 14, a canvas mural with a Catholic veteran’s handiwork involved, will be unveiled in the lobby of the Phoenix VA Hospital. Meet David Murrieta, who also painted an exterior mural of The Last Supper at Blessed Sacrament in Tolleson, among other public works.
Well known artist and veteran Jim Covarrubias co-painted the piece for veterans. A picture is not yet available, but it is a mural of Arizona mountains and galloping horses, in an impressionistic style. A herd of mustangs gallop through the sage. On closer inpection, Native-American figures start to materialize on the background cliff face. “This mural will hopefully relieve stress from the veterans with PTSD, as they walk by it and relax as they view it sipping a cup of coffee,” Murrieta said. The mural is next to Starbucks.
Murrieta said the magic and charm of Arizona’s beauty is where the the therapy starts to take the viewer on a trip to Arizona’s unique past and the present as well; these wild horses, famous in western lore run free even today.
“I love the mountains and the drama of the rich history of Arizona, we wanted to share this love with our brother and sister Vets,” Murrieta said.
“We want our fellow Vets, the hospital staff and visitors to kick back and take a break from their hospital business to enjoy some Arizona magic.” Covarrubias said.
If you encounter a veteran in need of assistance, connect them with this resource hotline/website:
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