Don’t forget prayer when packing for summer vacation

Summer offers people additional opportunities to spend time in favorite pursuits, such as “extreme” adventures, touring the sites or leisurely activities.

It likewise provides ways to grow in faith that are unique to this time of year, according to formation directors in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Summer is a time to commit to staying spiritually in shape, according to Melanie Richard, director of religious education for K-5 students at St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary.

“I have teenagers and one of my teenagers is very much into sports,” said Richard. “I approach it by equating it to “ ‘How are you better at sports?’

“I explain to them to become better at your faith, which is something we’re always striving to do, you have to practice. Practice makes perfect.”

She points out that if one misses practice or working out, one gets weaker. It’s the same thing with one’s spiritual life. If a person misses a spiritual workout, that person gets weaker and starts to get deconditioned.

She recommends when on vacation keep up daily prayer practices, such as praying first thing in the morning, when brushing your teeth and before going to bed at night.

When traveling, websites such as masstimes.org can help people find churches in the area and their Mass schedules.

“I always stress how important it is to make Mass a priority,” said Richard. “That’s one of the aspects that I enjoy, going to a Mass at a different church whenever we’re traveling; to see what it looks like and to have that new experience.”

Keeping up with the daily Mass readings is also easy through usccb.org, which also has daily reflection videos.

Another favorite resource for Richard is the Laudate app.

“It’s like the Catholic ‘one stop shop’ I’ve found,” Richard said.

And there’s always the invitation to faith that comes naturally through daily experiences, she noted.

“Every day you’re around people, that’s where you have to recognize Jesus in every single one of us,” said Richard. “We are living temples so anytime you can help another person it’s embodying those acts of corporal works of mercy. Whether it’s being nice to someone, speaking to someone, clothing someone; the opportunity presents itself anytime there’s a physical body there and there’s an opportunity for you to live your faith.”

It’s part of a well-rounded practice to know that you just can’t think about doing something, you have to do it, Richard emphasized.

Whether or not one is perfect in carrying out their summer faith practices, making an intentional effort to do so is rewarding, said Richard.

“It’s more of an intrinsic reward than an extrinsic reward,” pointed out Richard. “You feel better inside after you’ve done those good deeds. It’s being able to reflect and see how much you’ve grown in your faith just by participating in those practices.”

Richard and Amanda Milton, director of Christian faith formation at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs, urged people to check with their church parishes for summer faith development opportunities.

“At Immaculate Conception, we’re not taking ‘time off’ for the summer,” said Milton. “The beauty of this is that we’re using the time that would normally be put aside for school sports and activities and using that time and energy for our faith.”

She noted ICC’s recent vacation Bible school drew 80 students in kindergarten through fifth grades. There are also water days as a fun way to cool down.

And check with church parishes for activities for teens, such as Camp Abbey, Steubenville conferences, summer mission service projects, etc., Milton stressed.

As with the St. John the Baptist group, the ICC youth attended Steubenville South in Alexandria and providing various service youth service opportunities.

For adults, ICC will have a workshop July 13 on Visio Divina, or reflecting on sacred art pieces as a prayerful meditation; a men’s conference on July 18; and Ministry and Theology Class on July 8 and July 15.

Milton also encouraged people during their leisure time to invite over neighbors and friends whom they don’t have as much opportunity to spend time with during the school year.

“We’re having a barbecue on the patio and we’re having our friends over who are part of our congregation. And of course, we have our own LSU baseball group from the church, and we’re all huddled together talking about the LSU baseball games and scores. That’s our community of faith, you keep that environment going,” she said.

Whether in Rome, the beach, or the camp this summer, enjoy the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the beauty of your location and then share pictures, experiences and gift trinkets with others when you return. This is a good way to evangelize. And good way to “keep the faith fresh.”

“When you return (to the daily normal routines) you’re fresh and ready to start new, but are also in a different place spiritually because you’re seeing it and interpreting it differently, hopefully deeper,” said Milton.