Vacation Bible School 2024
By Joan Zombeck
“I’m hanging on, for the hike of my life…,” was the captivating theme song for this year’s Wilderness Adventure Through the Sacraments. It featured prominently at the beginning and end of each day’s fun for the faith-based activities for 38 enthusiastic children and the equal number of adult and young-adult parish volunteers who served as group and activity leaders. Many other parishioners participated by lending artificial trees, tents, lanterns, a kayak, and other items that served to recreate the great outdoors inside our blessedly cool parish hall. Tony lee lovingly hand-painted seven unique sacramental trail markers to serve as outward signs of our faith journey through life.
Deacon Jeff chose this program, again provided by Cat.Chat, because it was “organized, and focused on solid Catholic content.” Each day’s lesson highlighted one or two specific sacraments that shared a common theme, along with a specific virtue and a saint, all addressed through drama, music, direct Scripture reference, crafts, and games. Even the snack served reinforced the day’s theme. Monday’s theme was Baptism, Tuesdays was the Eucharist, on Wednesday it was Confirmation, Thursday’s emphasis was on healing through Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, and Friday was dedicated to the sacraments of service — Holy Orders and Matrimony. Each day commenced with Father Williams or Deacon Jeff leading us in prayer. Our talented young-adult thespians presented a short informative and entertaining skit with a script which was thoughtfully and meaningfully adapted to include Father Williams and Sister Mary Beverly. In keeping with the wilderness theme, the participants were divided into four animal-themed groups: Eagles (five and six-year-olds) guided by Marie and Lilly, Wolves (seven and eight-year-olds) shepherded by Allen and Adriana, nine-and-ten-year-old Racoons escorted by Julie and Michelle, and 11-and-12-year-old Cougars accompanied by Teresa and Jane.
The significance of each day’s sacrament(s) was embedded into activity stations: faith, music, crafts, and games. Smiles, laughter, and active participation prevailed in every activity. The following are some notable highlights from each day.
Monday’s faith station led by Esther, Phil and Dan focused on Baptism. Depending on the age group, the children listened to a reading of John the Baptist: Saint for Baptism, renewed their baptismal promises, or wrote a letter to their godparents.
Music director Steve along with choir member Kathy, on guitar, shared their musical talents by guiding active audience participation through easy-to-remember and simply-choreographed songs. The gentle music and lyrics to Send Down Your Kingdom exerted a calming influence on a busy Wednesday by imploring the Holy Spirit to renew our lives.
Halfway through each evening, Joanna, Jim, Judy, Beth, Soledad and Mary Kay served a nutritious snack related to the day’s theme. The culminating event was Friday’s “wedding feast” during which the participants were seated at a long trestle table and served grilled hot dogs followed by s’mores.
The games station organized by Teresa and Rich featured a variety of outdoor water games to keep participants hydrated and cool. It was fun to watch a relay race where each child single-handedly balanced a tray with a water-filled cup and piece of bread to symbolize the Eucharist. He/she had to run a gauntlet of water-gun-wielding teens, representing the temptations of life, before reaching the finish line. Turn-around was fair play for the children, who then took possession of the water guns to cool off the games’ organizers.
Away from the hustle and bustle of music and games, the respite of the quiet craft station gave the participants a chance to ponder the significance of each sacrament and create a small keepsake. Confirmation night featured “Wind of the Spirit” fans, with a hand-colored image of the Holy Spirit as a dove. Kathy and crafting partners Mary Ann R., Mary D., Mary B., and Nancy A. distributed the donated supplies and patiently guided this process.
The most active participant throughout the week was the Holy Spirit. With His guidance, the program came together seemingly effortlessly and seamlessly. No matter who I spoke with, the praise and comments were glowing. Clearly, existing parish bonds were strengthened, and new bonds formed, with children and adults coming away with new and renewed knowledge, energy, and love for our Catholic faith and the “outward signs created by Christ to give us grace.”
