Toward the end of the school year, I usually start getting questions from people who are curious about what I’m going to do with all the extra time I have in the summer. They’re usually a little surprised when I say that I’m usually just as busy during the summer as I am the rest of the year. I do find some time to get out of town during the summer, and the office is on regular hours, but there is still plenty to do!
For example, this summer we have had Totus Tuus, the Bonfire and Weenie Roast, and the celebration of the anniversary of our parish church’s dedication. I’ve been working with the principal to get things ready for next school year, and many of our great stewards have been hard at work on the classroom updates and on the back playground project. We’re also starting to put plans together for the updates in the Church that will be partially funded by proceeds we’ve received from the diocesan capital campaign.
Then there are the normal things I do year-round: meet with folks; prepare couples for marriage and celebrate weddings; instruct those wishing to become Catholic; answering emails (I’ll admit, a bit too slowly); visiting parishioners when we find out they’re in the hospital; making sure people get Last Rites when they call our emergency number; writing bulletin articles and homilies; celebrating funerals; meeting with the Parish Leadership Team, the Stewardship Council and the Finance Council; and even praying every once in a while! (That last one was a little joke. I strive to pray a holy hour every day.)
All these things keep my days full, and that’s a good thing. In telling you this, I’m not asking for sympathy: us priests knew what we were signing up to do when we got ordained. I’m trying to shed some light on what it is I’m up to when someone swings by the office and is surprised that I’m not here, or when my calendar is packed and my next available meeting is in a month. Back in May, I was booked 2 months out, so we’re making progress!
Fr. Matt