• Volunteer at your parish: There are plenty of ways to get involved within your home parish. From working in the office to cleaning the sacristy, volunteer work is never hard to find. If your parish has a festival, I guarantee they’ll welcome your help. Try contacting your parish and asking them if there is a parishioner in need, such as a senior citizen or a busy single mother.Research an important topic: Do you really understand what’s going on in Washington, D.C.? The health care bill, America’s huge deficit, abortion laws? Take time this summer to learn about the issues, and voice your opinion on them to those in power. Whether it’s your local alderman, state senator or the president himself, let them know you care about the choices they make!
  • Keep an elderly neighbor’s yard beautiful: Your neighbor down the street just lost his wife, rarely gets visitors and now his lawn is in need of a good mowing. What can you do? Get out the lawn mower, trimmer and rake, and have at it! Not only will this give you an awesome tan and help you work out your body, but it will also give you the opportunity to learn more about your next door neighbor and make a difference in both of your lives.
  • Immerse yourself in a whole new culture: Ever wonder what life is like in Japan, Argentina or Greece? Research and experience as much as you can this summer about the language, history, current events, traditions and culture of a particular country, paying special attention to their everyday routine. Once fall returns, make it a point to visit the country through your school’s study abroad program. Not only will this expand your world-view this summer, it will help you become an independent person as you travel around the world! (Think you can’t do it? Believe me, you can!)
  • Learn something you’ve always admired: You know director Steven Spielberg, fashion designer Vera Wang and artist Pablo Picasso? At one time in their lives, they were just like you: simply finding something super cool and trying to imitate it. Web sites like Youtube.com are chockfull of tutorials to help you get your imagination off the ground. Learn graphic design, the art of film making or simply how to bake a cake this summer. Who knows where this will lead you!