Musings with Bishop McDermott: A Day of Rest

Bishop John McDermott shared reflections on the importance of rest for clergy in a message published by the Diocese of Burlington. He noted that while the Sabbath is a divine foundation for rest, the duties of bishops and priests often require them to work on Sundays, forcing them to observe their days off during the week.

The bishop explained that a day of rest allows clergy to renew their bodies and spirits to better serve their people. Because the demands of his office make a regular weekly day off difficult to arrange, Bishop McDermott relies on an annual retreat for quiet prayer and occasional vacations for refreshment.

He recently returned from a week in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Using a lakeside cottage provided by a former parishioner, the bishop spent the week praying, reading, playing golf, and spending time with priest friends.