2013 Vacation Bible School

This past week our buildings were transformed into castles for Kingdom Rock Vacation Bible School. It was a week filled with joy and bold proclamation of the gospel. Each day we learned about different people from the Bible who were able to STAND STRONG in their faith. It is also a time that we reached out to our neighbors and draw them into our church for fun, laughter, friendship, games, a movie, snacks, a bit of drama, and some geeky science gizmos that all work together to emphasize the theme each day.

Monday’s story showed how GOD’S LOVE HELPS US STAND STRONG with King David writing a psalm of love (Psalm 23). There was an opportunity to have your head anointed with oil (non-sacramentally)and see a cup overflow. How loved we are by the King of the Universe!

Tuesday we entered into King Xerxes throne room with Queen Esther – showing how FAMILY AND FRIENDS HELP US STAND STRONG. (See Esther 1-9.) Each of us face difficulties in our lives from temptations or bullies, sickness or people who we don’t get along with. Thankfully, we are not alone in these difficulties, being encouraged and built up by one another. (Thes 5:18)

Wednesday we sang “Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything,” emphasizing that PRAYER HELPS US STAND STRONG. Nehemiah had amazing perseverance in prayer as he rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. (See Nehemiah 1-6.) He couldn’t have done it without regular ongoing communication with God. The children saw how prayer is the greatest source of spiritual strength and were encouraged to develop their own relationship with God more deeply.

Thursday we explored obedience as we followed Jesus from the garden through his crucifixion to the resurrection. We saw how TRUSTING GOD HELPS US STAND STRONG. Even though the children see this story every year on Thursday at VBS, it still moves their hearts in new ways as they mature and are able to understand more of this amazing gift that we have been given in Christ’s sacrifice. (See Luke 22:39-24:12).

Friday began with Mass – the ultimate way we’ve been given to STAND STRONG. King Josiah then showed us how finding God’s law turned the Hebrews back to God, just like how today THE BIBLE HELPS US STAND STRONG if we choose to dive into it. (See 2 Kings 22:1-23:23)

Two other things I’d like to highlight this year – through a grant from the Men’s Club and from the Knights, we implemented a Catholic version of our VBS, including important catechesis for our staff and a saint of the day. (Pray for us, St Patrick, St. Joseph, St Margaret, Mother Mary, and St. Jerome) We were also able to raise money and awareness for the Friends of the Orphans Organization and the two orphans sponsored by the contributions to our children’s collection basket.

In total, we had 125 children in our elementary program and another 45 in the preschool – amazing! Again this year, I saw such hope in the children’s eyes as they look to the Lord for strength and courage to live their faith, or for some, find their faith.

I’d like to say THANK YOU(!!!) to the 85 volunteers who gave so much of their time, talent, and treasure to share the gospel with the children in our care. All of these wonderful people helped us STAND STRONG for God.

We pray for you now, our parish family. Stand strong and be bold!

Julia Cox – Children’s Faith Formation