Strengthening the family in faith

When our now-adult children were young, I found manners videos at the library, which we watched together and talked about how we would use them while we were on a special vacation that summer. Whether it was how to look at the waitress when we placed our order at the restaurants we were visiting, why we needed to keep our room clean at the hotel or our commitment to not littering when we were visiting the parks on our itinerary, we all benefited from the reminders provided by the videos. I said, “Good manners never take a vacation.”

In the same way, our faith never takes a vacation. During the summer months, whether we are on vacation or at home and just don’t feel like attending Sunday Mass, our faith still needs to be fed. We may want to take a break from the sacrament of reconciliation or our commitment to the adoration chapel, and yet we know a laxness in these commitments opens us to sin.

During the summer months when we have longer days and warmer weather, it’s not uncommon to relax our determination to do the right and good thing in every situation we face. Our faith helps us remain

In the age of Instagram, not showing off can feel counter-cultural. We view other people’s lives as highlight reels filmed at golden hour and put to acoustic music. We are tempted to play along.

All ages are guilty. We show off on playgrounds and in boardrooms. We brag, we fake it, we one-up each other.

Overcoming the desire to show off is a turning point in the spiritual life. It is the beginning. It’s a launching pad for all worthy endeavors — be it the development of a craft or a relationship. It enables us to say important things.

“I don’t know.” “I don’t like that.” “I’m scared. “I need help.” “I was wrong.”

We can confess fear and remorse, and we can express delight and affection.

“I’m excited!” “I’m amazed!” “Wow!” “I love you!” “I want to be with you.” (My kindergartner says this to me, and it feels like the ultimate compliment.)

There is freedom in reaching this point and also responsibility. We are free to simply embrace what is, rather than force what we want it to be.

But this doesn’t come easy. We must pay attention long enough and open our hearts wide enough to recognize the heart of the matter. And then, as dePaola instructs, we must be faithful to it.

What is the heart of your work? What is the crux of your vocation when you step back and consider the big picture?

It’s not the to-do list, the meeting agenda or the meal plan. It’s not our commitments — that stuffy space between calendar and clock.

It’s none of the day-to-day shuffle.

It’s how we make people feel.

It’s how we spend our precious time, how often we laugh and pray and play, whether we notice the sunset and the birdsong and utter “how great Thou art.” consistent and committed to being the kind of person we can be proud of. The kind of person we want to be proud of.

It’s not what we do but why we do it and who we are — our identity rooted in Christ, his beloved sons and daughters.

Find the heart and cling to it. Everything else will fall into place.

Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights.

So how can we maintain our faith commitments during these vital summer months?

We can begin by explaining to our family that at the bare minimum, we will always attend Sunday Mass, no matter where we are. If we are on vacation, we will look ahead and find the closest Catholic church and make sure we attend Mass either Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

We can also say the rosary together as a family, whether we are at home, in the car or on a walk enjoying a beautiful summer day. We can offer prayers for the good of others and those who have asked us to pray for them. We can read books about the lives of saints and work to emulate their sacred qualities in our everyday lives. Msgr. Gerald Philips reminds us, “Religion is more than a coat which a citizen dons each Sunday morning, doffs as soon as possible and puts away for another week. To believe means to abandon oneself with reverence and confidence to the living and true God, Father and Creator, in whose hands we are held.”

Rather than forgetting about our faith in the summer, it can become a time to set aside the demands of the busier months and open ourselves more fully to God. It can become a fruitful season of spiritual growth, one that enhances the months that require so much of our mortal attention and effort. The summer, with its more relaxed schedule, is a perfect time to respond to the grace of the Holy Spirit as he moves in our hearts, minds and souls, encouraging us to grow in

BRIDGING FAITH | DEACON MICKEY FRIESEN