Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, When I was growing up we lived within a mile of a railway station. The line was eventually closed only to be reopened many years later as a tramline for commuters. We also lived very near to a fruit farm which employed seasonal workers during the summer to pick fruit. It was hard and they really paid slave wages. During the summer my mother would say let’s go and work for a day at the farm and see if we can raise a few pence to take the train out to Bray( a sea side town) tomorrow. We would gladly work with her for the day and at times eat loads of fruit with all the consequences. Sometimes our trip had to be postponed. My mother would buy a certain loaf and make sandwiches as we took our trek to the sea and hoped that the fund would stretch to an ice cream or other goodies. I look back and celebrate the memories created. Times were tough and money was in short supply and yet with great imagination and ingenuity happy and wholesome memories were created. We learned the values of working together and it was not handed to us on a plate. This summer as you plan your time together try to do something that costs a little but creates memories of time together. Do a picnic in the park or along the river. Chase butterflies or fireflies. Grow a garden together or search for the sheep. Great memories are created in simple ways but above all spend time together to have fun and above all pray together. masstimes.org Come back safe Let the Journey continue Fr Karl