To follow up on today's earlier post on vacation Bible school, here's a great story about what one parish in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is doing to help children appreciate the Eucharist -- and it's being done all within the confines of a summer camp program. Holy Family Church in St. Louis Park brought together 250 children for a five-day camp that culminated in Eucharistic adoration for children and their parents.
"This, however, was not adoration in the classic sense. Rather than quiet reflection, the 250 kids engaged in songs and movements practiced all week during their CVBS (Catholic vacation Bible school) curriculum. The idea wasn’t so much to look at Jesus, but to experience him in song and prayer," reported The Catholic Spirit.Jean Prather, director of the program, said she could have taken another 100 children but simply ran out of room. "It’s a good problem to have because it shows the interest and hunger for authentic Catholic curriculum," she told the Catholic Spirit.
Click HERE to read the full story, which includes tips for starting up a Catholic vacation Bible school at your own parish.
In the Archdiocese of New York, a group of local churches in the Highland Mills area took a very different approach. They sponsored an ecumenical vacation Bible school for 200 children from 14 Christian churches, including several Catholic parishes. The program involved 82 adult volunteers and 102 teen volunteers, according to a story in Catholic New York.
"Theresa Weissburg, co-director of the Vacation Bible School, told CNY that the camp-like experience that included sports, arts and crafts, music and learning with children from other churches shows that 'their community is larger than their church.'Read the full story HERE. And be sure to share your vacation Bible school success stories and tips in the comment section.
"'It's important for them to see that there are other (denominations) that have beliefs that are similar,' she said.
"...With various Christian denominations represented, the focus remained on the idea that 'we are all God's children,' Mrs. Weissburg said, as well as 'all the wonderfully good things that Jesus stands for and wants us to accomplish in our lives.'"
