Celebrate Summer Sundays as a Family

By Lonne Murphy

Summer Sundays in our homes are often those most delicious hours of the year, when life is more relaxed and the usual bustle of school schedules gives way to play time. Whether highly scheduled or free, we all create rituals through which we live life.

As the calendar turns to June, the liturgical calendar turns to Ordinary Time. The ordinary in ordinary time does not mean “ho-hum,” but rather “ordinal” or “counted time.” It is during the many weeks of summer that we hear about the mystery of Christ in all its aspects, this year through St. Luke’s Gospel (see also Pages 10-12).

One suggestion for this year is to make a ritual of ritual. As a family, think of some ways that the ordinary Sundays of summer might become unique and something to look forward to. Designate a theme for each Sunday — for example, Ice Cream Sunday or Wear Your Sandals to Church Sunday — and participate as a family. It is particularly appropriate to try to connect each Sunday’s theme with the readings of the day. This can also be a great way for a parish to support families in a more meaningful celebration of Ordinary Time.

Below are some ideas for your family or parish to put a little “summer” into your Sundays:
The Most Holy Trinity, June 3: Honor graduates and celebrate the end of the school year. Acknowledge and encourage all students for a job well-done.

• The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 10: Eat all your meals aware of all who helped provide it. Prepare ahead of time; let each member of the family be responsible for some part of the meal.  
• Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, June, 17: On Father’s Day, honor Dad’s with a special blessing, telling them thanks for what you appreciate most about them.
• Nativity of St. John the Baptism, June 24: John received his name on this day.  Tell your children how they received their name or share what you know about your own naming.
• Thirteenth Sunday, July 1: Wear red, white and blue as we celebrate our patriotic and our spiritual freedoms.
• Fourteenth Sunday, July 8: Make this an ecology Sunday and “walk gently on the earth” — visit a state park, arboretum, river or lake and take note of what your family can do to be responsible members of the earth’s family. Bring flowers from your garden to church this weekend (or bring a bouquet of your flowers to an elderly person or a very young family) and wear sandals.
• Fifteenth Sunday, July 15: Get to know your neighbor by inviting them to breakfast or a midafternoon snack.
• Sixteenth Sunday, July 22:  Honor Mary Magdalene by focusing on her discipleship. Remember, God calls all people to be disciples of Christ.
• Seventeenth Sunday, July 29: “Our Father” Sunday. Pray the Lord’s Prayer together and talk about the lesser known words such as “trespasses,” “kingdom,” “daily bread” and “temptation.”
• Eighteenth Sunday, Aug. 5: Make this a sharing Sunday. As you being preparations for the new school year, clean and clear out things you don’t need anymore and donate them.
• Nineteenth Sunday, Aug. 12: “Where is your treasure?” Have a family treasure hunt in the backyard, with treasures for each person.
• Twentieth Sunday, Aug. 19:  Have a family blowout. Make this a family fun day, perhaps by doing something previously planned but was missed this summer.
• Twenty-First Sunday, Aug. 26: Open Door Sunday. Decorate your front door with welcoming symbols and colors.
• Twenty-Second Sunday, Sept. 2: Labor Day is tomorrow. PRACTICE Christianity. Labor for someone who needs your help.