By Jay Jung
Like it or not, our summer is rapidly coming to a close. Hey, don’t blame the messenger, I’m just seeing it and feeling it myself when the days begin to get a bit shorter and the mornings are just a hint cooler. And even though the weather might not seem to be the truest gauge of summer’s end, the calendar begins to shout that our schools are revving up for a new year with teachers and administrators circling the dates when their planning sessions will be over and the signs once again appear, “Welcome Back Students”!
But the end of summer doesn’t mean we have to immediately stop having some summer fun, so think about a few things you can experience, either as an individual or as a family, right here in our Perry County area, that might even strengthen your Faith. That’s right, fun things just around the corner that can enlighten and strengthen your Faith before heading off to the classroom:
Visit the Missouri National Veterans Memorial which features a replica of the black granite Vietnam Veterans Memorial identical to the one on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Take a closer look in the museum space before heading out to the Wall itself. Pause a moment at the Wall to notice your own image reflected in the polished granite as you pray for those brave men who gave their lives in battle and for their families who continue to mourn their loss. Complete your visit by praying for peace throughout our world, that a Wall like this will never be again needed as we seek to remain in peace.
Hike as an individual or a couple or as a family out at Perry County Community Lake. With or without a picnic lunch or meal, you can give thanks to God for the beauty right in our own ‘backyard.’ Spend some time to fish, witness the beautiful egrets flying just above the waters, or listen for the fish jumping from the waters for their lunch!
Have a meal out at any one of our many fine eating establishments as a family or as a couple. Enjoy not only the food but being able to spend quality time with people you love and care for before your calendar fills up with all the activities that a busy school year brings. And please, NO cell phones allowed…..
Tour one of our religious historical sights connected to your own Faith or visit one you’re less familiar with but would like to learn more about. Learn first-hand about the history of Missouri’s Lutheran community at the Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum in Altenburg. St. Mary’s Seminary grounds provide a beautiful outdoor backdrop to both the historical Church of the Assumption and the Visitors Center of the National Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. And if you’ve spent a lot of your summer away from home, maybe attending a Sunday Service at your own family house of worship will allow you the peace and strength to take on a new school year.
Finally, just spending some quality time having children discuss with their parents their goals and ideas for the coming school year may be the key element for the entire family being revitalized for the new school year: what are the kids looking forward to, what might the kids be dreading, how can the whole family work together for the betterment of each individual member of the family, including Moms and Dads who are pulled in so many different directions as the new year begins. It’s a special time for most members of our community, young and old, this start of our school year, and trusting in the Lord’s presence and blessings as we begin, having fun while turning to our Faith, is a blessing we can all share as Americans and citizens of beautiful Perry County, Missouri.
The Reverend Jay Jung, C.M., is the Senior Priest in Service at St. Vincent dePaul Parish in Perryville. Ordained in 1977, he graduated from St. Mary’s of the Barrens College Seminary in 1973 and has served in both educational settings and parish ministry for over 45 years. He is a member of the Congregation of the Mission, commonly known as the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers.
