“This is the time of year when people are either taking vacations or dreaming of them.  That includes popes.  Despite his many hours of meetings and ministry, Pope John Paul II always made time to go skiing or hiking.  Pope Benedict XVI has followed that wise tradition by vacationing in the Italian village of Les Combes each July and visiting Castelgandolfo, long known as the summer residence of the popes.  Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, a preacher of the papal household, once told Vatican Radio that relaxing and having fun are necessary parts of a vacation, but said people should not forget that vacations can also be a time of discovery.  “Perhaps the most beautiful meaning of vacation is that of getting back into an intimate, profound contact with the root of our being, with God,” he said.  Americans are said to forego vacations more than any other nation in the world.  Perhaps we’re losing more than sleep.”

 

     Next Saturday at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, Fr. Michael Denk and Deacon Stephen Yates will celebrate the marriage vows of JONATHAN DAVID SLUSHER and AMBER JO SCHLEGEL (no relation to me!)  Though this may seem unusual and an extraordinary occurrence, weddings are often celebrated in the context of the Christian community in other parts of the world, including El Salvador.  The couple appreciates the community’s support and prayer for them.  The actual wedding ceremony will take place after the homily.  Please join us in praying for and congratulating Jonathan and Amber as they begin their new life together as husband and wife. 

 

Have a restful week!