St. JPII reestablishes VBS with great success

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

With Catechetical Sunday set for Sept. 21, the day is a time to not only recognize the good works of catechetical leaders and catechists but an opportunity to reflect on successes of programs within the diocese.

One such success story recently unfolded at St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll where the parish’s Vacation Bible School was reestablished this past summer after being on pause a few years.

According to Erin Stevens, director of religious education (DRE) at the parish, VBS was held July 21-25 and it drew more than double the number of participants they hoped for.

“Our goal was to get 50 kids, but we ended up with over 105,” she said, noting attendees ranged in from 3 to 12 years old who are part of the parish faith formation program, Kuemper Catholic School or are home schooled. “It was very successful. After seeing how many kids were coming, we had to adjust our plans pretty quickly.”

Stevens, who held a different position in the parish before taking on the DRE position on July 1, pointed out that they utilized a Catholic VBS curriculum from Cat.Chat called Wilderness Adventure Through the Sacraments focused on the seven sacraments.
“Each day focused on a different sacrament and some days there were two,” she explained. “There were songs to go along with it and we were very intentional with everything – even the snacks were tied to a sacrament.”

For example, when they studied baptism the snack was birthday moon pie.

“S’ mores were offered for matrimony, because you stick together,” explained the DRE. “There was a lesson to be had at each rotation.”

To ensure that cost was no barrier, Stevens said they offered the VBS free of charge.
“We just wanted to provide an opportunity for kids to learn about the faith,” she said. “This was such a fun way to do it. We had fantastic turnout for kids who attended, but also, we had so many great volunteers.”

More than 40 volunteers gave of their time. Having so many parishioners, community members and businesses that were part of this effort, noted Stevens, was an added bonus.

For the lessons, the students were divided into five different groups based on age. The lesson plans included a faith/learning section, music section, games section, craft section and snack section – all of which tied into the theme of sacraments.

“This was a week-long program and was a fun way to learn a lot in a short amount of time,” said Stevens. In the VBS format – with the various activities – it added a little extra fun and excitement to the learning experience.

On Friday, the day of celebration, they attended Mass and held a concert where they sang song learned throughout the week.

In addition, Stevens said there was a service component as throughout the week the students were having a penny war raising money for Shelves of Grace, which is the food pantry hosted by St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll. They raised more than $700 and winners of the boys vs. girls competition – the girls – were awarded by pouring sundae toppings on the priests. A cookout hosted by the Knights of Columbus concluded the event.The strong attendance, the DRE noted, provided a strong indicator that people in the Carroll area wanted the availability of a Catholic VBS.

“It gives us a reason to hope,” said Stevens. “There is a huge movement coming.”

She pointed out that they did send information home to allow parents to follow-up on lesson plans with their children. It’s possible, the DRE added, that it may help to reinforce the parents’ formation.

HOME