Saints summer series offers casual programming

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

Always on the lookout for programming to enrich the faith lives of parishioners, the director of faith formation at one Sioux City parish happened upon a Summer with the Saints 12-week program.

Mary Lehr of Sacred Heart Parish in Sioux City said she loved the concept but was looking for something a little less structured so she borrowed the theme, adjusted the format and adapted it for her parish.

“We do a lot of studies all the time and I thought during the summer we needed to relax and enjoy things,” said Lehr, noting that she didn’t want anything weekly or too intense. “I thought why can’t we just do our own Summer with the Saints.”

In the end, she settled on offering a documentary once per month during the months of June, July and August, followed by about 30 minutes of discussion. The faith formation director selected the movies from FORMED that she felt would pique the interest of parishioners. She also relied on the Holy Spirit to guide her in the selections because there were so many options to choose from.

The first offering of Summer with the Saints was June 4, featuring The Boy from Milan, story of Carlo Acutis.

Carlos AcutisThrough her work with youth of the parish, Lehr said she has found they really connect with Blessed Carlo, who died of leukemia at age 15 in 2006, was beatified in 2021. His canonization was set for April 27 of this year but was postponed due to the death of Pope Francis.

On July 8, the featured documentary will be Radiating Joy: The Michelle Duppong Story, which chronicles the life of this former FOCUS missionary from Bismarck, North Dakota, who died in 2015 at the age 31 after a battle with cancer. She has been granted the title of Servant of God as her cause for canonization is investigated.

Michelle Duppong“She would be a modern-day saint and is relatable,” said Lehr. “Sometimes I find in church ministry, people think the saints were these holy, wonderful people – which they were – but I don’t know if they always started out like that. People don’t think they are worthy. People don’t always open up the package of grace because they don’t think they are worthy.”

 While she had greater knowledge of Blessed Carlo’s story, the faith formation director mentioned she knows a little bit about Duppong and not much about the third offering to be held on Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. – The Violinist: Stories of Solanus Casey, based on a true saint.
Blessed Casey, a Capuchin priest who was born in Maine, was beatified in 2017 and is on a path to sainthood. He was known for his simplicity, deep faith and profound impact on those he served.

“I’m excited to see what the Lord has for us,” she said. “I am always putting things out there to see if there is something people are needing or want – something to help them on their journey of faith.”

Calling saints “great heroes,” Lehr said many Catholics are drawn to the stories of the saints.
The Summer with the Saints is not only open to parishioners of all ages, but to anyone who would want to learn something new about the saints or have some faith-filled conversation and fellowship.

“The dynamic between the older and younger is always fun, so we would love to see younger people there,” said Lehr, who mentioned that people could watch saints’ stories at home with their families at home or other parishes could host similar programming. “Older parishioners can offer so much wisdom and the younger offer inquisitive energy.”

Falling in line with the casual summer vibes, the parish is also offering Wine Down Wednesday after the 5:15 p.m. Mass on the second Wednesday of the months of June, July and August.

“I will share some of my favorite wines,” said Father Friedrichsen, who quipped, “I just hope this doesn’t become ‘Whine Down Wednesdays.’”

Again, Lehr said the Wine Down Wednesday gatherings will offer a relaxed environment and an opportunity to ask the pastor a variety of questions.