While youngsters may be enjoying a break from school, faith learning, parents and teachers agree, doesn’t take the summer off.
“We need to reinforce [in children] their relationship with God throughout the whole year,” said Shannon Cassidy, religious education coordinator in Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, Glassboro.
That’s where Vacation Bible School comes in.
“It’s vital,” said Michael Lipinski, whose sons Michael, 8, and Holden, 5, attended VBS in mid-July at The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light Parish, Cherry Hill. “It’s a continuation of what they’re learning during the regular school year.”
Indeed, children across the Diocese of Camden are once again enrolled in parish Vacation Bible School programs this summer, with themes ranging from the Blessed Mother to Outer Space.
The morning of July 25, children looked at Cassidy with rapt attention as she sat on the floor among them, sharing the story of Mary’s “yes” to carrying the Baby Jesus in her womb.
“When we know Jesus is with us [as Mary did], it’s easier to say that ‘yes,’” Cassidy said, before going on to lead the youngsters in the Hail Mary prayer and a recitation of the Rosary.
Children ages 4 to 11 took part in the weeklong program, themed “Cool Kingdom Party: Mary Leads Me Closer to Jesus.” Activities included music, crafts and games – with a song and dance skit in front of parents planned for the last day.
At Ocean City’s Saint Damien Parish, the July 11- 15 program, “Number the Stars,” helped those in grades K-5 understand “the vastness of creation made by God,” and how in doing so “we discover our gifts and talents to share with the world,” said Katie Waldow, the parish’s outgoing director of youth and young adult faith formation.
During the week, the 30 campers and volunteers engaged in crafts that included making a solar system out of produce; the children also learned how to use a telescope.
“We’re offering them something fun and different … while they interact with friends old and new who are their own age,” Waldow said.
The same week, “On a Roll With God” was underway in Cherry Hill, which included lessons on food-themed Scripture such as the miracle of the loaves and fishes and God bringing the Israelites manna from heaven. Around 60 young people were treated to a Food Truck Party, too, all of which helped foster a spirit of gratitude for God’s goodness.
Said Michael, the older Lipinski sibling, “I liked the whole week,” especially crafting a rocket out of pretzel, cucumber, carrots and peppers.
Ginny Grogan, parish director of elementary faith formation, praised the “tremendous, gratifying work” of her 28 volunteers, adding that Vacation Bible School is beneficial to the volunteers, too, some of whom have even been through the program before.
Participants can learn from their younger mentors, she said, “and maybe even be motivated to join the parish’s youth ministry program.”
Maria Phelps, 12, volunteered for Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish’s Vacation Bible School. “I do enjoy being here,” she said as she got her group ready for the students’ music skit. “I want to set an example for the youth, as Mrs. Cassidy has done for me.”
Fellow parishioner Jason Grossman, 14, remembers the good times he had attending Vacation Bible Schools when he was younger. Now, as a volunteer, “you can still learn, while having fun. I’m teaching these kids now, to help them get the same great experience that I had.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
