Keeping The Faith “On The Road” — How Parishioners Practice Faith While Away From St. Leo’s

While traveling last summer was a challenge, many of us are looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family and making summer trips together during these warm months.

Traveling in the summer can be a beautiful reminder of both the universality of the Church and of the differences in liturgical celebrations as we travel between countries, regions, or even from one side of the state to the other.

“I love the fact that all Catholic Masses are the same,” says Elaine Janulewicz, a St. Leo’s parishioner since 2011. “Even when in other countries, with different languages, I can still understand.”

Some of the ladies of the Prayer Shawl Ministry offer different perspectives and stories of how they’ve endeavored to keep the faith on the road when traveling with or without children.

They speak of the faith as a “way of life” that doesn’t suddenly stop when away from our home parish.

“Why wouldn’t you go to Mass?” says Karen Denne, a parishioner since 1985. “Why should it be any different than when you are home?”

Ann Goetz, who joined the parish last year, appreciates seeing how other parishes add their own subtle “flavors” to the Mass. She recalls a tradition she was told as a child about visiting different parishes.

“I grew up knowing that whenever you visited a new church, you got three wishes,” Ann says. “I loved asking God for my special three desires.”

One popular resource for Catholics when traveling, or even when home, is MassTimes.org, which shows Mass times and frequently Confession times by distance from your specified location.

It takes some foresight and intentionality to keep the faith and attend Mass even when traveling.

“We always scope out the church and Mass time the night before, so we are ready,” says Patricia Durbin, a parishioner since 1984. “It was fun to go to a Mass that was done in both English and Spanish.”

(From left) Prayer Shawl Ministry members Vivian Korgel, Judy Brown and Elaine Janulewicz

Churches have different aesthetics and approaches to the liturgy, and sometimes commonalities remind us of our home parish or parishes we’ve visited before.

“I appreciate the ones who sing like we sing,” says Sue Pfeifer, a parishioner since 2014. “Some churches you will like, and some you will not.”

(From left) Prayer Shawl Ministry members Sue Pfeifer, Karen Denne and Rose Ann Sindelar

This summer, we could reframe going to Mass during vacation as a time to be still together in the midst of activities and general busyness.

“Our daughter was very enthused when she was growing up and we would visit other churches,” says Sue Kohles, St. Leo’s Office Manager. “We have visited some wonderful churches. It’s always interesting to hear the different homilies.”