At the Mass, on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Pius X in Flint, MI, soldiers’ photos will be displayed in a PowerPoint slideshow, their names read aloud and candles lit by family members. The candles are in the shape of a flag with red, white and blue stars and stripes. There is nothing wrong with praying for any Catholic or any non-Catholic at a Mass. But this is another example of militaristic jingoism being dragged into the Church.

Photos from past Military Mass of Appreciation masses courtesy Cindee McColley of St. Pius X and photographed by The Flint Journal.