The children are once again involved in camps – basketball, volleyball and scouts. They are participating in baseball, softball, golf, fishing, ceramics, and soccer. Some of the kids are also spending the summer working to make a few extra dollars. Finally, most of them are taking every opportunity to get a few extra hours of sleep whenever they can. However, the fact of the matter is that while their routine has changed from a structured school day to the many activities of the typical summer day, they are still very busy and involved.

The adults too are feeling the urge to spend more time participating in leisure activities such as golf, boating, fishing, and softball by taking advantage of the long days and the warm temperatures. Work in the yard and the garden can be almost a full-time job for some.

I hope that each of us, though, has not decided to let stewardship take a break during this summer season. It is a fact that the parish churches are less filled during the summer season, and often the parish offertory has lower collections this time of year. Why? Apparently, some have decided to take a summer sabbatical from being the Christian disciples that we have been called through our Baptism to be. We rationalize that it’s okay to slack off during this time of year because, after all, it’s summer!

The reality is that the sharing of our gifts must be a year-round practice. The sharing of our gifts of treasure will insure that those continuing to work during this time of the year get paid, that the utilities bills can be handled, and that the necessary maintenance done during this time of the year is affordable. Many of us have talents that are called for in this season and if prioritized, can schedule some time during the summer to assist with these activities, at the church, in the community and in helping our neighbors.

It may seem early, but the Diocesan Stewardship Conference is just around the corner. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, August 27 and plan to attend the conference at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City. For those of you who attended last year, you can expect to reinforce last year’s experience, gain valuable new perspectives on living as a Christian steward, and network with those people you may have met last year. For those who did not attend last year, talk to someone who did. I would venture to say that most will tell you that it was a good and resourceful experience and that they were glad they attended, even if they didn’t think they would enjoy the day.