On vacation without renouncing God

The end of a school year is like the beginning of an adventure for pupils and students of all age groups. Two months of free time without homework and lessons. An occasion for the families, not only to spend more time together but also to grow in the faith as “small Catholic communities”. And an opportunity for young people to explore, and put into practice what they learnt at school. The Czech bishops have decided to seize this opportunity and write a pastoral letter for the occasion, in the hope that it might encourage the members of the families of several Catholic communities to reflect on their relationship with God. Cultivating the seeds of faith in schools. The members of the Czech bishops’ conference see the end of the academic year 2014/2015 as an opportunity to thank teachers, catechists and priests involved in the spiritual formation of children and adolescents. The pastoral letter stresses that parents have an important task: to pray to God to help them in their children’s education and to enable Jesus Christ to come and be present in the daily lives of their families. The prelates underline the need to devote attention to the appropriate teaching of the truths of the Catholic faith. “It’s important especially because a sceptical attitude towards the Church in society is motivated by the lack of knowledge of the basic notions on God and the Church, this same knowledge is unexpectedly lacking also amidst knowledgeable persons”. In order to prevent this phenomenon the learning of young persons should focus on values, on the meaning of God born for the world in Christ, on the sin that can be defeated, states the letter, highlighting the importance of “school communities” that exert a strong impact on students’ formation and development, not only in terms of Christian teaching but also through regular informal communication with schoolmates, their teachers and the priests involved in the academic process. Pupils and students create a community that is fundamental to “anchor their life in the faith” and learn “mutual support, and how to build and develop long-lasting friendships”. Summer version of formation. The bishops highlighted the importance of continuing this process also during school holidays, “in a lighter mode,” suggesting that it would be “useful” if this complex system of religious school education were supported with the participation of pupils and students “in activities providing the opportunity of developing their faith and sharing it with others”. The calendar of the various activities for young people and children in August and July, that include Christian festivals, camps, interesting courses, exhibitions shows and pilgrimages, is published and regularly updated on the website of the Czech Bishops’ Conference: www.tisk.cirkev.cz. For example, the Centre for Hope in Brno, invites young girls aged 12-18 to attend an interactive summer course titled “Being myself,” with special attention towards the various aspects of adolescence and human dignity. The 25th edition of the Catholic Charismatic Conference will take place in Brno (July). The “Kefasfest,” a festival of art and music to support the fight on drugs, will take place the last week-end of June. The heart of the faith. In addition to an “extension” of activities organized by ecclesial institutions and organizations, the bishops wrote about the simple daily life of Catholics, whose symbol is their regular participation in Eucharistic celebrations. They address parents with the warning to not neglect this aspect of faith in the life of their child, especially during summer holidays. “It’s unfair to lead a child to First Communion and then stop bringing him to church,” the letter underlines. “During each holy Mass we listen to the words of God and we meet Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. We simply need God’s blessing for our ordinary days”. For the prelates, the spiritual journey of all children begins inside the family, through prayer and through the example set by their parents, for whom teachers, catechists and priests should help them follow this path. “Children know if their parents lead their lives according to what they teach and recommend,” the bishops write, inviting parents to set the example, highlighting natural values and the development of the relationship of their children with God.