Faith is an integral part of our lives; it is interwoven into everything we do. Summer is a great time to refocus on faith, fellowship and fun.

• Make Mass a Priority: Resist the temptation to skip Mass during the summer months or when you are on vacation.
• Do Some Spiritual Reading: Set aside some special time to introduce your children to the lives of the saints.
• Visit a Holy Place: Take a day trip to a monastery, a shrine or a famous church.
• Simply your Life: Summer is a great time to sort through clothing, toys, sports equipment and other possessions with the intention of sharing what you have with people who are less fortunate. Or have a garage sale and donate the proceeds to charity.

-- Heidi Busse

Picnic Prayer

Leader: For birds, bugs, and butterflies,
All: We thank you, Loving God.
Leader: For hot dogs, hamburgers, hiking and home runs,
All: We thank you, Loving God.
Leader: For lollipops, lemonade, lilacs, licorice, ladybugs, and love,
All: We thank you, Loving God.
Leader: For sand, sunshine, and sprinklers,
All: We thank you, Loving God.
Leader: For popsicles, parks, and picnics,
All: We thank you, Loving God.
Leader: For family, friends, fun,
All: We thank you, Loving God.

As today’s food nourishes us, help us also to grow closer together and closer to You. We pray that no one will be left without nourishment and care, and that we will be Your hands in our world to work to bring care, food, and love to all those in need, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

-- Janet Schaeffler, OP

Your priests, your praise
by Gretchen R. Crowe

The OSV Newsweekly staff asked and our readers answered. Here are a dozen profiles of the clergy who inspired hearts, formed lives and brought the faithful closer to Christ.

Find their stories and photos in the June 1, 2014, issue of OSV Newsweekly

The Changing Face of the Church
Staggering numbers from a new study show how important Hispanics are to the future of Catholicism in the United States.
by Hosffman Ospino

Catholic parishes in the United States have experienced many transitions during the last two decades. Closings and mergers have decimated the number of parishes in the country by 11 percent. In the meantime, the total U.S. Catholic population has increased nearly 20 percent.

The decline in the number of ordained ministers has led to conversations about whether parishes can or should remain open without the presence of a resident priest, or at least one available to celebrate the Eucharist and other sacraments on a regular basis.

Read more from this ground-breaking study