Across the Pastor’s Desk by Mike Ellis

This past week we hit the 90-degree mark for the first time in a long time, the children are celebrating their first weeks of summer vacation and the gardens are in full bloom. Even though it is not officially summer until June 21, it certainly is in the air. Here are some ideas for you to consider for deepening your spirituality during these summer days.

 

Read

Spend some time reading books on spirituality that will help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Here are two suggestions for you to consider.

First, read anything written by James Martin S.J. For some time now I have been reading his book “Jesus: A Pilgrimage.” It is an engaging, thought-provoking and reflective book.

The second suggestion is probably more challenging but has gotten much press in the last weeks. On Thursday, Pope Francis released an encyclical called “Laudato Si: On The Care of Our Common Home.” “Laudato si” is translated to English as “praise be” or “be praised.” It is an encyclical on the environment and will have many challenges for us to think about as a church and as people of faith.

 

Reconnect

The Albert Lea community is in the midst of the Blue Zone project and one of its goals is for us to reconnect with one another. This summer take time to reconnect with friends, family and your faith community.

How do we reconnect? Invite a family member or friend to spend time walking, running or biking around the lakes throughout our community. If physical limitations make it difficult to do this consider going to one of the many parks to enjoy the flowers and fresh air while people-watching.

As we tend to be busy with different activities remember to reconnect with a faith community. We all live busy lives, so this summer make a commitment to reconnect with people and have fun by exercising and celebrate God’s blessings and come to church.

 

Relax

Summertime offers shorter workdays for some. We close the parish office on Fridays at noon to give the staff a break throughout the summer months. Utilize some of that break time to relax and pray.

Make a commitment to pray, reading from the book of Psalms, the readings of the day or write down one item you are thankful for everyday during the summer. At the end of summer you can look at the list and see how thankful you were throughout the season of summer.

A second way to relax is spend some time on vacation. The Ellis family will be taking time the last weekend in June for a family reunion in the Chicago area.

As we head into these days of summer my prayer will be for you to spend time enriching your spirituality by reading, reconnecting and relaxing. Enjoy the summer.

 

Mike Ellis is a deacon at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea and St. James Catholic Church in Twin Lakes.