July 19, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters, What a wonderful summer it’s been at St. Thomas! We’ve had so many great times together over the past couple months, especially VBS and the Feast of St. Thomas, and I look forward to seeing the great things God has planned for us over the next year. During the summer, many families have the habit of taking a bit of vacation time. This is a great thing to do—and not just because it’s fun to relax. In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to take a day of rest each week, to spend with Him and with their families. He also commanded special times throughout the year when work should take a back seat to celebration and refreshment. In other words, God made it very clear that life is ultimately about relationships, not our bank accounts or job fulfillment. Even though the details of the old Law don’t apply to Christians, the principle of rest is important for us, too—Christ set us free, so that we could enjoy the things that truly matter. For those who are able to take some vacation this summer, I encourage you to enjoy some intentional time with God and your family. It’s especially important not to forget about the family prayers, even if we’re away from our usual routine! And for all of us, even those who can’t take a summer vacation, we should all a point of keeping our eyes on the things that truly matter in life: God, our families, and our community. Through the intercession of Blessed Mary, Ever-Virgin, and our patron St. Thomas, let’s dedicate both our work and our leisure to God, our Father in heaven. God bless,

Father Jantz