Ways to keep family faith alive this summer

Summer is around the corner. As the hustle of school days wind down and faith formation classes are also wrapping up, we can keep the faith alive during those lazy, hot days of summer. 

Here are some tips compiled by Jersey Catholic: 

1. Celebrate the feast days of summer 

Italian feast days have a storied tradition in the Archdiocese of Newark, especially when summertime rolls around. Some feasts are over a century old, with generations of Italian Americans keeping the tradition alive. The oldest Italian summer feast in the Archdiocese is celebrated in Newark in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in July, dating back to 1890 when Italian immigrants left the Port of Naples for the United States. Other churches that will hold processions, Masses, feasts, and carnivals are: St. Ann in Hoboken, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jersey City, Holy Rosary Parish in Jersey City, Lady of Mount Carmel in Montclair celebrates Feast of Saint Sebastian, and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 8. Details and dates are released throughout the summer on the parishes’ Facebook pages. 

2. Attend a faith-based camp 

Many parishes offer camps to further children’s faith with fun activities during the summer. Some are theme-based.  

St Teresa of Avila Church in Summit is offering four weeks with different themes each week. Faith Plus+ includes a week of each the arts, sports, STEM, and Charity. For more information click here. 

The Church of the Little Flower in Berkley Heights will hold Camp Firelight in June for ages 4 through 5^th grade. The children will grow in their faith through daily activities, which include drama, arts and crafts, and music. Middle school and high school students are encouraged to volunteer as counselors. For more information click here.  

In June, St. John the Apostle Church in Linden will hold a morning camp for ages 4 through 5^th grade to “dive into a friendship with God.” Click here for more information. 

In July, Hudson Catholic Regional High School presents its Summer Theater Workshop- Moana for students entering grades 4-8. Click here for more information. 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tenafly will hold five weeks of summer enrichment including STEM, artistic expression, athletics, and sports in June for students entering PK-3 through Grade. Email summercamp@academyolmc.org for more information. 

Mary Camp at Our Lady of Peace in New Providence will offer a week with Mary in July, on the Queen of Heaven Express. Children in Grades K through 6 will track Mary through Lourdes, Guadalupe, Fatima, Knock, and Mt. Carmel. For more information, contact Gloria at 908-464-8156 or gloria.alves@olpnp.org. 

Aquinas Academy in Livingston is offering a summer academy for students in grades Preschool (ages 3+) through 5th grade starting in June through the first week in August. Campers will participate in morning academics and PE class. The campers will have a lunch and recess break in which they can bring a nut free lunch or order from our school lunch service. The afternoons will be filled with fun enrichment classes, indoor and outdoor including sports, board games, messy play, yoga, laser tag, and more. For more information call 973-992-1587 or email eoneill@aqanj.org. 

3. Plant a Mary Garden 

The practice of honoring Mary with flowers originated among monasteries and convents in the Middle Ages. You can plant your own garden with flowers that are historically linked to Mary complete with statues of Mary, the saints, or angels found at flea markets or Marketplace.  

Here is a list of plants historically planted in Mary Gardens and what they represent: Foxglove–Our Lady’s Gloves; Pansy–Our Lady’s Delight; Chrysanthemum–All Saints’ Flower; Columbine–Our Lady’s Shoes; Forget-Me-Not–Eyes of Mary; Strawberry–Fruitful Virgin; Violet–Our Lady’s Modesty; Alyssum–Mary’s Flower; Cosmos–St. Michael’s Flower; Marigold–Mary’s Gold; Mary’s Heart — Bleeding Heart; and Morning Glory–Our Lady’s Mantle. 

4. Delve into the Bible 

The Bible is filled with many stories kids will find fascinating such as David and Goliath, Joseph’s Coat, and Jesus and the children. For younger children, start with a picture book Bible.

Amazon has a list of the best Bibles for children and teens. Teens can also take the time to journal along with their readings. Journal the Word Bible for Teen Girls offers prompts to keep the words flowing.  

5. Read some Catholic books 

The lazy days of summer are reminiscent of days on the porch, at the beach or lake reading a good book. Ignatius Press just released its summer list of faith-based books for kids. 

6. Go to Mass during the week at the Cathedral 

Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is special. Masses are held Mondays – Fridays, 7:30 a.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. Afterwards take a tour of the Cathedral. See the 36-foot rose window in the gallery over the main entrance.

Also visit the five ambulatory chapels surrounding the sanctuary reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Newark at the time of completion: St. Patrick (British Isles); St. Lucy Filippini (Italian, Portuguese); St. Boniface (German speaking); St. Stanislaus of Kraków (Polish-Slovak-Hungarian); St. Anne (Hispanic, African, and Asian). 

7. Attend a Saint John the Baptist bonfire 

Saint Stephen’s in Kearny will hold a bonfire to Welcome summer and honor the Birthday of Saint John the Baptist on Saturday, June 22, 6:30 p.m. to dark. Cost of $5 per a family covers food, snacks, and drinks. To register, email thechurchofsaintstephen@gmail.com.