Vacation Bible School
TOTUS TUUS 2023
Day Program: July 24-28, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM (Grades entering 1-6)
Evening Program: July 23-27, 7:00-9:00 PM (Grades entering 7-12)
Cost: $50
2023 Program Information
The teen program (grades 7-12) runs from Sunday evening to Thursday evening from 7-9pm. Wednesday evening is from 6-9pm with Reconciliation, Mass and Adoration, and Thursday evening is planned to be a social night. Snacks will be provided.
The children’s program (grades 1-6) runs from Monday to Friday from 9am-2:30pm. Friday afternoon will be a recreation time with water activities. Children should bring a sack lunch; drinks and snacks will be provided throughout the day. Children may also bring light playground equipment to enjoy during lunch recess, where they will be supervised outside on the rear church grounds weather permitting.
Totally yours 2023 Highlight Reel
(click the image below to play the video)
Totally yours 2019!
July 26, 2019 - A second successful run of Totus Tuus concluded with participation by over 50 children and upwards of 20 teens (in the evening program). The results were nothing short of transformative, which is expected when a passionate ministry team leads our youth in playing and praying together over a period of several days; the Holy Spirit shows up and pours into the kids in powerful ways! Highlights (as related by several parents) include: children actively participating at Mass for the first time; children desiring to read the bible and pray the rosary at home; families being moved to register in the parish; and children already talking about next year!
~ If you weren't able to join us, click on the image above to experience a day in the life of Totus Tuus ~
Special thanks to: Fr. Jim and visiting priests (Fr. Hank, Fr. Emmanuel, Fr. Andrew and Fr. Tim) for daily Mass and Reconciliation; our AOC ministry team (Grace, Zack, Brad and Marcella) for delivering program content with tremendous passion; the Garnica's for hosting the entire ministry team at their home; the BFF Mom's Group for providing ministry team meals; my adult volunteers and Jr/Sr High youth for helping with the younger children every day; and to all other St. Mary staff and parishioners who assisted in any way.
Totus Tuus (Latin for "Totally Yours") is a fun and energetic, weeklong, parish-based summer catechetical program for youth entering 1st-12th grade. Led by a team of four AOC-affiliated college students (two women and two men), Totus Tuus seeks to evangelize young people in a lasting and profound way. Watch the video!
Children's Program
The Children’s Program is for students going into 1st through 6th grade. It runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. During the week, the children will participate in four classes each day; have the opportunity for Reconciliation; attend daily Mass together; learn the parts of the Mass and liturgical songs; and participate in games, icebreakers, skits, songs, recess, and prayer. At the end of the week, on Friday afternoon, all classes will be replaced by social recreation and water games.
Teen Program
The Teen Program is for students going into 7th through 12th grade. It runs Sunday evening through Thursday evening from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. The goal of this program is to encounter the youth with solid catechesis through witness and evangelization immersed in the Catholic understanding of prayer and worship, especially in Adoration/Eucharist with Reconciliation being made available. The program involves small group discussions and journaling in accord with their appropriate grade level. The end of every evening involves Night Prayer together inside the Church in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Thursday evening is a social night with the teens being rewarded for their participation in the program during the week.
Volunteers Needed!
The parish coordinator cannot possibly do everything by himself. As such, we are in need of jr/sr high school students and adults to assist throughout the week. Volunteers will assist the coordinator by maintaining a safe classroom environment, setting up drinks and snacks, cleaning the kitchen, sweeping the floors after lunch, playing with the children at recess, and doing anything else the coordinator may ask. :) SafeParish certification is required for all volunteers 18 years or older.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact the parish coordinator (Chris Stier) at 937-557-1711 x102 or [email protected].
