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June 27, 2023Dear brothers and sisters,
As only God’s Providence would have it, this issue of the Beacon goes to print on the first day of summer! School’s out! The grill is on with burgers and dogs! And the beaches, the mountains, and all the grounds of picnic and sport shout out this season’s invitation: Take a break and relax! Enjoy the great outdoors! Get some extra rest! Have fun at play!
Wherever your summer takes you: from the golf course to the ballpark; from the mountains to the seas (and everywhere in between!); from the summer vacation trip of a lifetime to sitting on your front porch; may the blessings of summer rest, relaxation, and re-creation be the gifts you receive and enjoy as this season of grace officially begins!
Joyce Rupp’s words of A Summer Prayer echo my hope and prayer for you and for all of us - God’s holy and beloved people - as summer comes upon us.
A Summer Prayer
May you breathe in the beauty of summer
with its power of transformation.
May this beauty permeate all that feels un-beautiful in you.
May the God of summer give us beauty.
May you seek and find spaces of repose
during these summer months.
May these moments refresh and restore
the tired places within you.
May the God of summer give us rest.
May you be open to times of celebration and recreation
that are so much a part of summer.
May you find happiness in these times of play and leisure.
May the God of summer give us joy.
May your eyes see the wonders of summer’s colors.
May these colors delight you
and entice you into contemplation and joy.
May the God of summer give us inner light.
May you feel energy of summer rains penetrating thirsty gardens, golf courses, lawns, and farmlands.
May these rains remind you that your inner thirst needs quenching.
May your inner self be refreshed, restored, and renewed.
May the God of summer give us what we need for healing.
May you savor fresh produce that comes to your table
and enjoy the fruits of summer’s bounty.
May you find shelter
when the stormy skies of summer threaten your safety.
May the God of summer give us shelter
when inner storms threaten our peace of mind and heart.
May you enjoy the unexpected and find surprises of beauty and happiness as you travel the roads on summer vacation.
May the God of summer lead us to amazing discoveries
as we travel the inner roads of our soul as well.
(From The Circle of Life, The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons
by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr)
Be assured of my prayers that you enjoy a happy, healthy, and wonderful summer season! May our loving God, Creator and maker of every season and every moment, grant you the grace to embrace all the blessings of summer!
Peace, thanks, and best to all!
Fr. John Collins, C.Ss.R.
Provincial Superior
