Totus Tuus and Monumental Vacation Bible School: Parish Youth Share in Faith, Fellowship and Fun
When school lets out for the summer, learning doesn’t end for our children. In turn, learning about Christ and growing in love for Him doesn’t stop either.
“Just because it is summer doesn’t mean that kids stop learning about their faith,”
“Just because it is summer doesn’t mean that kids stop learning about their faith,” says Mike Holbrook, our former Director of Religious Education who retired from his position this past May. “This is a great opportunity to learn in a fun and meaningful way by attending Totus Tuus and Vacation Bible School.”
This summer, the children of the parish are invited to take part in these two fun opportunities for fun and learning. This year, things will look a little different as St. Francis Solanus and St. Peter Catholic Church are working together to put on these two events for the children of the parishes. St. Francis Solanus will be hosting Vacation Bible School and St. Peter will be hosting Totus Tuus.
Parishioners David and Lydia Spillman previously served as Totus Tuus missionaries. Now they volunteer to help put on this event for the parish.
“There is a team of four college students who put on the weeklong program,” David says. “This program is so beneficial for kids because it meets the kids exactly where they are at in the summer. They don’t want to go back to school! This is not a school environment. It is more of a fun and engaging environment where they can interact. The missionaries engage them and teach them with fun activities.”
The Totus Tuus day program is for kids going into first through sixth grades. The evening program is for seventh through 12th grades.
“The day program is really filled with fun, but in my three summers of being a missionary, I truly found the teen program to be more fruitful,”
“The day program is really filled with fun, but in my three summers of being a missionary, I truly found the teen program to be more fruitful,” David says. “Many of the students arrive the first evening not wanting to be there. They came because their parents made them or they have a sibling there. But through witness talks and games, the team members show them that you don’t have to have a St. Paul type of conversion experience in order to be a good Christian. You can just live your everyday life and God is there in the midst of that.”
The day program includes skits, games, Mass, and learning. The evening program consists of witness talks, small groups, games, snacks, and time in the church to pray.
This year’s Vacation Bible School program, Monumental, offers a weeklong, southwest-themed adventure for the kids to celebrate God’s greatness! Each day, children will travel between stations including Awesome Bible Adventures, Imagination Station, Red Rocks Rec, and KidVid Cinema. Kids learn Bible verses for each day, sing songs, and watch skits. This engaging program is great fun for all who attend.
For more information or to learn how to register, please contact the parish office, 217-222-2898.
Monumental Vacation Bible School: Where: St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church Monday, June 20 to Friday, 24 5:30-8:00 p.m. Who: Kindergarten to fourth-grade students
Totus Tuus: Where: St. Peter Catholic Church Kid’s Day Camp: First through sixth grades Monday, July 25- Friday, July 29 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Evening Program: Seventh through 12th grades Sunday, July 24-Thursday, July 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
