Dear Parishioner,

I read an interesting definition of leisure the other day. It seemed to fit well those who make the best use of summer. It said, "the purpose of leisure is to give us the time to experiment with being the rest of the person that we have yet to be." Summertime is leisure time, easy time, a time for us and all created things on earth to grow toward fullness.

If we use summertime well, we can create much leisure time for ourselves. Vacation time is ours, schedules loosen up and change, the pace of everyday life slows down, and the pressures, anxieties and burdens of the day can be postponed. The living in summertime can be joyful, refreshing and productive. God gives us excess time in summer and could be saying to us that this part of our life's journey needs "leisure time." It could well be a call to ready ourselves for greater things to come.

God often enters our lives in unexpected ways and graces us with beautiful encounters of His love. Leisure time makes us more aware of these special happenings. It allows us to welcome the divine in our midst; the salt added to our life experiences with the good deed of a neighbor or fellow worker, the light behind a friendly "hello", the work of the Creator in the sun, the moon and the stars, the love underneath a spontaneous hug or strong handshake, the life beyond the pain of a set-back, suffering or death. The quality of our leisure becomes the quality of our life.

So this summer enjoy your leisure time. Use it well. Bask in the sunlight. Notice God's goodness reaching into your life. Let God lead you deeper into the mystery of His life. The unknown is the beauty of time well spent with Him. Rejoice and give thanks!

Happy Summer!

Father Sullivan

The Lord calls us to do God's Will. Pray that you may know God's will in your life, especially if you have the inclination that you are being called to the ordained or consecrated life. If God is calling you, call the Vocation Office at (617) 746-5436.