The elusive and precious ‘summer slow-down’
July 10, 2024 at 10:54 a.m.
Let’s be honest. Any “summer slow-down” in the Church that we may hear about or dream about all year is more an aspiration than a reality. The standard events on the summer calendar that we dedicate coverage to – Ordinations, Graduations, and clergy and religious anniversaries – merely scratch the surface of the many activities that make for a very busy summer for the Diocese and her local parishes. Add to those moving day for priests whose assignments have changed; parish fairs and carnivals; vacation Bible schools and youth service outings. Even with all that, this year makes the typically busy summer pale in comparison. With the ongoing advancement of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage toward the congress in Indianapolis at the end of the month, the idea of a summer slow-down has never been further from the truth.
It is a blessing that most of the scheduled summer events center around times of celebration, fun and spiritual development. They are designed to bring us together in the Lord and forge a deeper sense of community without the demands of the always over-booked school year.
For those who bear the responsibility of keeping up with summer activities for the family, this might not be the most relaxing of times. Nothing really happens without this key person – usually the mom – who makes the reservations; packs the suitcases; welcomes her children’s friends for a pool party; organizes day trips, and so much more. This wonderful person sometimes could use a vacation from her vacation.
Regardless of what keeps you busy this summer – whether it takes you to church; on a tour of Europe; in a beach house, or your own backyard – you are encouraged to find time to rest, reconnect with people and things that restore you, and listen in the quiet to God’s whispers in your soul. You owe this to yourself, and everyone around you will be the better for it.
You will also set a valuable example for your family if you build in some expression of your faith – whether visiting a shrine on your journey; going to Mass in the town where you are vacationing or maybe even taking in daily Mass followed by a nice breakfast out with the kids. They will always remember such special times spent with their families and the Lord.
As always, I encourage you to take The Monitor Magazine with you on your summer journeys and check in with TrentonMonitor.com to keep up with all the coverage this summer.
You have our sincerest hopes for a safe, fun and restorative July! Enjoy and God bless!
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Let’s be honest. Any “summer slow-down” in the Church that we may hear about or dream about all year is more an aspiration than a reality. The standard events on the summer calendar that we dedicate coverage to – Ordinations, Graduations, and clergy and religious anniversaries – merely scratch the surface of the many activities that make for a very busy summer for the Diocese and her local parishes. Add to those moving day for priests whose assignments have changed; parish fairs and carnivals; vacation Bible schools and youth service outings. Even with all that, this year makes the typically busy summer pale in comparison. With the ongoing advancement of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage toward the congress in Indianapolis at the end of the month, the idea of a summer slow-down has never been further from the truth.
It is a blessing that most of the scheduled summer events center around times of celebration, fun and spiritual development. They are designed to bring us together in the Lord and forge a deeper sense of community without the demands of the always over-booked school year.
For those who bear the responsibility of keeping up with summer activities for the family, this might not be the most relaxing of times. Nothing really happens without this key person – usually the mom – who makes the reservations; packs the suitcases; welcomes her children’s friends for a pool party; organizes day trips, and so much more. This wonderful person sometimes could use a vacation from her vacation.
Regardless of what keeps you busy this summer – whether it takes you to church; on a tour of Europe; in a beach house, or your own backyard – you are encouraged to find time to rest, reconnect with people and things that restore you, and listen in the quiet to God’s whispers in your soul. You owe this to yourself, and everyone around you will be the better for it.
You will also set a valuable example for your family if you build in some expression of your faith – whether visiting a shrine on your journey; going to Mass in the town where you are vacationing or maybe even taking in daily Mass followed by a nice breakfast out with the kids. They will always remember such special times spent with their families and the Lord.
As always, I encourage you to take The Monitor Magazine with you on your summer journeys and check in with TrentonMonitor.com to keep up with all the coverage this summer.
You have our sincerest hopes for a safe, fun and restorative July! Enjoy and God bless!