Just Beachy—and the Gift of Friendship in Families, by Dr. Jeff Mirus 

By Dr. Jeff Mirus, Catholic Culture, Jun 18, 2024

Jeffrey Mirus holds a Ph.D. in intellectual history from Princeton University. A co-founder of Christendom College, he also pioneered Catholic Internet services. He is the founder of Trinity Communications and CatholicCulture.org.

It’s an odd feeling to have an ocean beach just two blocks away, but I suppose it is one of life’s unexpected perks. Our oldest granddaughter is completing a Masters degree program in theology at Notre Dame, and for the “practicum” portion of the program she was sent to help out at a parish in Jacksonville, Florida. There she met her future husband, and this past Saturday they conferred the sacrament of matrimony on each other in the course of a beautiful Catholic Mass. Most of my side of the extended family—bereft of bride and groom, who have mysteriously disappeared—are now left to splash in the waves (or wilt on the sands) of Jacksonville Beach.

Now you may consider this a blessing. Some of us are staying in a small beachy cottage, built in 1934, the walls of which are covered with (enjoyable) kitsch—signs and images that say things like, “If you’re lucky enough to be at the beach, then you’re lucky enough.” Unfortunately I’m a redhead (well, I used to be a redhead) and a bit of a grump on the burning question of the value of intense sunshine. (Kermit had it wrong, by the way: …

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