13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

06-30-2024Pastor's CornerFr. Bob Deehan

Summer has officially begun! School is out and vacation time is here. It’s been long awaited, not only by the younger members of our community but by those of us who’ve been around a bit longer, too. There’s a different schedule, a slower pace of life, time to have some fun with family and friends, and maybe opportunities to have some adventures traveling or just enjoying a favorite summer getaway.

Whatever you find yourself enjoying this summer, it is good to reflect and make connections with where God is in it. The leisure time and slower pace affords each of us an opportunity to appreciate how precious one’s own life is and the lives of those whom God has blessed us with. What you and I are able to enjoy, and the beauty and goodness we see around us is fundamentally a gift not made by human hands. A wonderful game you could play with your children or grandchildren is: “Where can you see evidence of God and His goodness?” Let their little minds and hearts wonder aloud and celebrate what God is doing in our world and in our lives. Discussions on the environment could result, or maybe the marvels of nature and God’s loving care for us could become a cause for celebration!

As Catholics, at Mass, we celebrate those things and more. It’s only natural, when you think about it, to have an opportunity as believers to acknowledge God for who He is, what He has done, and what He continues to do in our lives and in our world. Wherever you may be this summer, let one dimension of your vacation time be marked by opportunities for spiritual enrichment and expression, including attendance at Mass where we say as a community of faith each week: “Thank you” to God.

God bless you!