Schools are out and the summer season is now in place. This season is not a good time for Catholic faith. It is kind of a pattern that many take the season off or dramatically decrease the practice of the Faith, particularly Mass attendance. I recently had a conversation with someone who insisted they can feel just as close, if not closer to God by being out of doors rather than at church. I have heard this statement many times throughout my life. I don’t argue with them. It’s probably true if the operative consideration is “feelings.” I too have that close feeling to God provided by His creation. It’s supposed to do that. The creation reflects the Creator, and it is truly beautiful and breath taking. But…that’s not what the first commandment instructs us to do. We are called together to worship God, our Creator. Worship is not about our feelings. (Yes, we may have inspirational feelings and hopefully we do. And, we may have bad feeling caused by something or someone present at worship.) Worship is giving our God what is due. The glory of the creation we all enjoy is the creations worship of the creator. Our worship is to praise and thank Him. Within that worship we are built up emotionally and spiritually into the fulness of who we are created to be. We also have the obligation to share in the experience with our fellow Christians. The is an obligation of our faith. So, when you are tempted to forgo Mass for summer fun, “Just this once.” Don’t do it. I promise you, go to Mass and the fun will be more fun! Yours in Christ our Lord, Fr. Sid.