Father Michael Klos was searching for a way to take a stand against the trouble and pain so apparent in the nation and world.

Unite Our Nation was a perfect fit, Klos discovered.

“I have felt for some time that we need to do something spiritual to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and all its consequences — social and spiritual,” he told Catholic Tribune Wisconsin. “And since we have had the social unrest and the usual discord that comes with this time in the election cycle, all of which are food for the devil and his minions.”

Father Michael Klos | http://smash3p.org/about/contact_us/

Klos said Unite Our Nation, co-founded this year by two Wisconsin men, Patrick Ciriacks and Kevin O’Brien, can bring needed peace, prayer and progress to his community, the state and the greater world.

Ciriacks teamed with O’Brien this summer to start Unite Our Nation after witnessing the pain and anger so evident in the country this year with public protests, riots and anger.

“Unite Our Nation, founded by the laity, was formed to help bring peace and prayer to local communities and healing to our nation. We are passionately patriotic, with a deeply rooted love for America,” Ciriacks told Catholic Tribune Wisconsin. “We believe in the power of the Eucharist and the serenity of the rosary. In unison with our bishops and priests, we help the faithful plan processions throughout our country, as a balm to violence and fear.”

Klos said he was impressed by Unite Our Nation’s procession in Madison and eager to emulate it.

“During the Lenten season I was doing parking lot masses in Cashton, the largest of my three parishes until we were shut down,” he said. “Happily, Mass in person was reopened on Pentecost Sunday and we’ve been doing pretty well over the past 16 weeks. However, I felt there was need for something more. I was greatly inspired by Bishop [Donald] Hying of Madison and the procession he led along with Archbishop [Jerome] Listecki. After discussing the matter with my deacon, we decided we should do this.”

It’s not as if he needs something else to do.

Klos is a pastor of three parishes in the Tri-Parish Catholic Community of Cashton, St. Mary’s Ridge and Norwalk, Wisconsin. But he got busy organizing the Unite Our Nation event and found many people were ready to lend a hand.

“We set this date because we wanted to have time to set things up right and I think most of the pieces are in place for this Sunday,” Klos said. “We have a set-up crew; we’ve tested out our outdoor sound system with an FM transmitter attached. We have gotten great cooperation and assistance from our local police department and interim Chief Brent Knutson. We have servers, singers, prayer leaders, and parade marshals. We should be all set.”

The event starts 10 a.m. Sunday with a mass in Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church parking lot in Cashton, 1205 Front St.

There will be room for seating (attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs) and room behind for parking vehicles. A sound system equipped with an FM transmitter will allow people to hear and participate in person or from their vehicles.

“At the conclusion of holy Mass we will expose the Most Holy Eucharist and being the procession through the streets of Cashton, ending up again at our parking lot where we will recite the Precious Blood novena and have other prayers before closing with benediction,” Klos said.

He said as he was given an example to follow, he hopes more continue to help grow the movement.

“I hope that others will be inspired by Bishop Hying and those other bishops who are drawing their people together through the one thing that can and does unite — the most precious sacrament of our Lord’s body and blood, soul and divinity,” Klos said. “I believe we will be much further along when we recognize the havoc the devil is playing in our nation and world — a table for feasting which we have set very well for him. When we recognize that it is our Lord who brings us together and not government directives or initiatives, then we will be on the real road to recovery.”