As we approach the 4th of July long weekend, what plans do you have? Many will take this opportunity to get away on a vacation, enjoy a cookout with family and friends or just sit back and relax at home. Understandably, we, here at Holy Family, see a decline in attendance at Mass on holiday weekends and in the summertime. A good number of parishioners who travel outside the parish find a Catholic church wherever they might be to worship God on Saturday eve/Sunday.

I came across an interesting invitation to husbands/fathers offered in a recent parish bulletin of St. Ignatius Church in Hickory, Maryland. “As a Father’s Day gift to God our Father and our families,” these men are invited to participate in a public commitment to the following resolution before the Saturday vigil Mass this Father’s Day weekend. Consider taking this pledge or sharing it with someone you love. It has been found that a father’s faithful and active participation in the life of the Church has a profound, positive impact on the rest of his family.

Jesus wants to help you in every aspect of your life. In order to allow Him to be a powerful influence in your life, you and I must listen for His inspiration or His prompting in SILENCE. I know it’s hard in our culture, but silence is the gateway to the soul. Commit to this discipline and once you reap the blessings, you’ll never want to let it go. As you make yourself available to Jesus in this way, invite Him to speak, incline and reveal Himself to you. Maybe what comes to you in your silent prayer is a word or name; perhaps it’s an insight or an overwhelming feeling of peace, or a reminder of unfinished business that you need to take care of with His grace to assist you. It might lead to a comforting reflection on the truth that you are never alone with Him at your side, or an insight about how blessed you really are, that in turn may influence how you go about your day or how you deal with others in your family or workplace.

Many of our younger parishioners are graduating from either high school or college this spring. It’s filled with different emotions. There’s satisfaction in having accomplished one’s goal and achieved success. There’s gratitude for the many people who have been a support along the way, people who have helped in the learning and growth process – teachers, coaches, parents among others. There’s some sadness at leaving the familiar surroundings, the friends made at school, and the extracurricular activities enjoyed these past few years. There’s the excitement at the prospect of new beginnings and opportunities ahead. And there’s some anxiety over the uncertainty of what it will all be like and how things will turn out. Change is not easy. And still, it is a natural part of life at every stage.