Students are now returning to school and studies show that many of them will be starting the academic year with achievement levels lower than where they were at the beginning of the summer break. This phenomenon is known as “the summer slide”. One recent study found that students, on average, lost between 25 – 30 percent of their school-year learning over the summer.
This isn’t just for grade or high schoolers. When I am preparing brides and grooms for the sacrament of marriage, I often receive a terrified look from the couple as we begin. They are often panicked that I will ask them “What is a sacrament?” or “What are the goods of marriage?” I never put them on the spot, but I do try to have them walk away with a better grasp of the challenge they are entering, and I encourage them to dive deeper into their formation. After all, they are entering into one of the most important and life-altering moments on their journey!
But what about you? If you were quizzed about Catholicism and what your role should be as disciple of Jesus, how clear and confident would your answers be? Living a holy Catholic life means putting God first in all that we do. God is supposed be the focus of our daily existence. From the time we awake in the morning until we fall asleep at night, God’s will for our lives is supposed to take center stage.
Have you experienced your own type of summer slide as a Catholic? Some of us could even say we have experienced a decade slide! If it has been a while since you entered any kind of catechesis, I have some good news. It is never too late. That study I mentioned above, states that there are many creative, strategic, and extensive options that make it feasible to help those who have experienced an academic backslide. We have options in our Family of Parishes as well if you have experienced any kind of discipleship backslide.
Adults and teens could join us for “The Rescue Project” which has sessions on Monday evenings, from September 19 to November 7 and we even provide supper. It will help answer such questions as: Why we were made? How did the world get so messed up? What, if anything, is God doing about it? Am I loved?
Find out more about it and register right here on our website.
Or you could involve the whole family and join “52 Sundays” which is offered online by the Archdiocese and helps you and your family reclaim the Lord’s Day with prayer, activities, and food. It suggests simple and insightful ways for your family to spend time together each Sunday learning more about the Catholic faith and having fun while you’re at it. Or hey – you could even do BOTH of those enriching activities! Let’s make our teacher (Jesus!) proud!
God bless you and have a great Labor Day! (Our offices will reopen on Tuesday!)
Fr. J.J.