As the weather warms up, we begin to spend more time outside, relaxing with family and
friends, and taking vacation. All of those are good things, but they shouldn’t lead to us taking a vacation from our vocation.
Summer seems to be the best time to get lost in a spiritual book.
One of the problems faced by parents and parishes is how best to continue to catechize and educate children over the summer. What is Vacation Bible School and is it worthwhile?
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Vacation time should include time for extra prayer, Pope Francis told a crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Aug. 6, 2017.
Acknowledging that there were many students in the square who were on summer break, Pope Francis said, “It’s important that in the period of rest and breaking away from daily concerns, you restore the energies of your body and soul, deepening your spiritual journey.”
He spoke of the Transfiguration story in the Gospel, where the disciples travel up Mount Tabor with Jesus. The disciples detached themselves “from mundane things,” and contemplated Christ transfigured, he said.
Just like those disciples, we too need to “rediscover the pacifying and regenerating silence” of prayer and meditation, the pope said.
Pope Francis asked for Mary’s intercession for those on vacation and for “those who cannot take a vacation because they are impeded by age, health or work, by economic difficulties or other problems.”
