Gearing up

for tomorrow's double header: the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart and the Vigil of the Nativity of St John the Baptist.

Some years ago my husband decided that we should adorn our image of the Sacred Heart with fresh flowers in honor of the feast day and ordered several stems in floral tubes from the local florist. It was on the pricey side the first go round because he didn't know one could purchase the tubes at craft stores. But I have reused the tubes every year since which has brought the cost down to about $1 per bloom. The flowers last about a week.

Our parish includes an oratory dedicated to St John the Baptist, the proto-parish of the area. In past years, there has been a special Mass and church supper held there, but due to expected heat, the event has been delayed until the fall. In the evening, we will host some friends for a dinner of pizza on the grill and toast marshmallows over the St John's Bonfire (in a fire pit). It's not too late to grow a culture of faith and start the tradition in your neighborhood!