So in last month’s newsletter, the main theme focused on staying holy through prayer over the summer. But one of the best ways to be holy through prayer is by going to Mass. Even in the summertime. And even on vacation. (I can hear the gasps already. ;-))
Being a parent and raising a family is hard work. Especially when you’re trying to juggle everyone’s schedules. Suddenly even sitting down for a meal as a family seems impossible, let alone getting to Mass on the weekend. And trying to find a church in a new town, state or country while on vacation can seem overwhelming. So it seems easier to just skip Mass.
But it’s not impossible. Sometimes it’s as easy as putting it in the schedule. Even when you’re on vacation.
My family and I recently went to Minnesota for the weekend on a mini-vacation. And before we left, we planned out all the things we wanted to do. So on Friday we drove to Eden Prairie, checked into the hotel, ate dinner and went to a rodeo in Waconia. On Saturday we went to the Mall of America and checked out the aquarium (twice!) as well as the stores and swam in the hotel pool. And on Sunday, we went to Mass at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Eden Prairie (where we met a wonderful young priest who’d been to Green Bay and preached on growing in our faith) before walking around the Minnesota Zoo and driving home.
With today’s technology, it’s super easy to find Catholic churches near you. You can Google it. Or ask Siri. Or go to www.masstimes.org. There’s even an app for that: Catholic Directory Mass Times.
So the next time you’re tempted to skip Mass on the weekend this summer, whether you’re at home or on vacation, try putting it on the schedule. You might just be surprised that’s there’s time for Mass after all. :-)
By Deborah Gretzinger (No RE-Gretz)
Being a parent and raising a family is hard work. Especially when you’re trying to juggle everyone’s schedules. Suddenly even sitting down for a meal as a family seems impossible, let alone getting to Mass on the weekend. And trying to find a church in a new town, state or country while on vacation can seem overwhelming. So it seems easier to just skip Mass.
But it’s not impossible. Sometimes it’s as easy as putting it in the schedule. Even when you’re on vacation.
My family and I recently went to Minnesota for the weekend on a mini-vacation. And before we left, we planned out all the things we wanted to do. So on Friday we drove to Eden Prairie, checked into the hotel, ate dinner and went to a rodeo in Waconia. On Saturday we went to the Mall of America and checked out the aquarium (twice!) as well as the stores and swam in the hotel pool. And on Sunday, we went to Mass at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Eden Prairie (where we met a wonderful young priest who’d been to Green Bay and preached on growing in our faith) before walking around the Minnesota Zoo and driving home.
With today’s technology, it’s super easy to find Catholic churches near you. You can Google it. Or ask Siri. Or go to www.masstimes.org. There’s even an app for that: Catholic Directory Mass Times.
So the next time you’re tempted to skip Mass on the weekend this summer, whether you’re at home or on vacation, try putting it on the schedule. You might just be surprised that’s there’s time for Mass after all. :-)
By Deborah Gretzinger (No RE-Gretz)