Summer is traditionally when people make time for vacation, long weekend outings and get-togethers with friends and relatives.

If you link up to your friends and relatives on social media, you probably have seen or even shared your own photos of the exciting new sights and sites enjoyed during those outings.

Even though I am in my living room or office, I can enjoy a little time away almost daily through the photos many of my friends and family post on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

I get to see the beautiful sunsets on the Florida beaches as well as the sunrises on the Sangre Mountain range in Colorado. There have been scores of fun photos at swimming pools, theme parks and on roller coasters.

One of my friends posted many photos of his favorite shrines and churches in the Middle East and I was happily able to relive some of my own visits there. There have been breathtaking photos of Ireland, Prague, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the Czech Republic. I have friends who visited and shared their visits to the Oratories in France and in Canada.

I’ve been privileged to see snapshots of the big and small fish caught in lakes, streams and oceans. And there have been photos shared of quiet moments on the porches and backyards of friends and family, near and far. And even though the summer is winding down, many of us who are no longer tied to the back-to-school schedule can continue those little trips far into the fall.

And there’s my challenge to all our readers. If you haven’t already, take a little trip but do it in the Rockford Diocese.

Instead of visiting the grand churches of Europe, take in a little inspiring architecture right nearby. Why? Because after visiting many of our churches during meetings this summer, I realized how many beautiful spaces our diocese has and thought they should be shared and enjoyed as a destination just as much as any old European cathedral.

One such place that brought this to mind was St. Mary in Elgin. It is a beautiful church! I stood there and considered all the other fantastic houses of God there are in our diocese. Each one is beautiful in its own way and each deserves sharing.

So before the snow flies, get in your car and make it a point to inspire yourself by visiting one of the 105 Churches in the Diocese of Rockford. Consider it a two-for-one deal, you get a nice little daycation and by attending Mass, you feed your soul as well.

First, go to http://www.rockforddiocese.org">http://www.rockforddiocese.org and click on the parish button at the top of the page. You can find a parish by name or by city. Pick a place you would like to go and then check the Mass times to help plan your trip. Just think of the beautiful surroundings in which you can visit God and be in the company of fellow believers!

You can follow one of the rivers — the Mississippi, the Fox or the Rock — and find a church in lovely places like Galena or East Dubuque. Many have quaint adoration chapels to visit as well. And there are great places for lunch and afternoon treats like ice cream and coffee.

In the cities like Elgin, Aurora and Rockford, you can visit some worlds away by enjoying the diversity both in the people and the lovely churches. Some have beautiful wide, warm altars like the one I mentioned at St. Mary in Elgin. Some have incredible paintings and outdoor space like St. Anthony of Padua in Rockford. And you can always find friendly spaces in one of our newest churches like Sacred Heart in Aurora or St. Katharine Drexel in Sugar Grove. You could cruise out to Crystal Lake and enjoy some of the incredible stained glass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton or take a drive to see the country parishes tucked away in places like Sandwich, Amboy, Pecatonica, Durand or Warren.

Think about visiting your own spiritual stomping ground before you book that big voyage down the Rhine to take in the cathedrals or castles. Try visiting the local neighboring churches and enjoy the place they call home. Have a nice drive, have some lunch and say some prayers.

And of course, don’t forget to take a picture or two and share your inspirational journeys with your friends on Facebook. If they’re like me, they’ll be glad you did.