My Dear Parish Family:

It is summertime and the living is easy! Summer means a little slower pace for all of us and time for us to enjoy relaxing at home or barbequing with family and friends. Perhaps a trip to the beach or time away is in your summer plans, but whatever your activities are this summer, please do not forget God!

Sunday Mass happens every week no matter what type of weather and, yes, even during the summer months. If you are traveling during July or August please remember to attend Church and consider bring- ing back a bulletin for me so I can see what goes on

in other parishes (I steal ideas from other places all the time!).

Daily Mass may also be a good vacation prac-
tice. We are not rushing off to work during our vaca- tions and so perhaps it might be a good opportunity to attend daily Mass or come to the Adoration Chapel on Tuesdays (9 A.M. until 4 P.M.) and/or Fridays (9 A.M. until 12 Noon). Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Jesus in the form of the bread from Sunday Mass) is placed on the Altar so that we can look at HIM and pray to HIM face to face. It is cool and quiet in the Adoration Chapel (located in the former convent build- ing) for all the members of the parish. Bring your chil- dren or grandchildren to adoration to teach them the importance of prayer, the truth of Jesus, God’s Son, really present in the Host and to learn to take a few minutes of quiet time. Bringing your little ones to Church even in the summer will help them always and especially to grow in love with God.

One final thought - Confession! The Sacrament of Confession is always available by request at the rec- tory or each Saturday morning after the 8:30 Mass or from 3 until 4 P.M. Saturday afternoon. Confession is good for the soul and is a beautiful gift of peace, mercy and love directly from our Father in Heaven, so do not forget to get to Confession this summer.

Yes, it is summertime and the living is easy! Building a better relationship with God at anytime of the year is also easy, so please do not forget to stay close to God even during the summer!

Until next week, Happy Summer! St. Benedict and Cardinal Cooke, Servant of God, pray for us!

Fr. Stephen P. Norton