By Lois Rogers | Features Editor

For scores of kids who call the Trenton Diocese home, summer is a time to go adventuring through the Scripture in Vacation Bible Schools that bloom annually like sunflowers in the parishes of Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

These days, participants are greeted with much more than the traditional flannel board, fruit juice and finger paints, hallmarks of the genre in a more sedate time. In fact, some secular media pundits who have stumbled into vacation Bible schools around the nation this year, describe the professionally pre-packaged formats most use as VBS-A-Paloozas that merge Scripture with Christian rock, humorous skits and Broadway musicals.

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No doubt about it, this concept has played well in our area. Dozens of VBS programs serve children diocesan wide. And whether using pre-packaged curriculum adapted to each VBS’s environment and culture or through the creation of unique programs, hundreds of children have come away with more than a good time.

For, they are learning in their early years what it means to live their faith.

Across the diocese, hundreds of volunteers worked hard to make the Scriptures come alive for children this summer. To do so, they designed and built beautifully crafted settings that captured the essence of the messages of such popular pre-packages as “SonRise National Park” by Gospel Light Publishing and “Sky - For God All Things are Possible” by Sky Totally Catholic VBS.

They added well-told stories, catchy music, snacks, games, arts and crafts and mixed it well with lessons about faith that will add depth and perspective to the way they develop as Catholics of the Trenton Diocese.

Terry McWeeney, director of VBS in St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, calls the VBS experience a “wonderful way to connect the children to God. They had a wonderful experience and learned at the same time.”

The event, she said, stimulated everyone and friendships blossomed. “Younger campers made friends and were looked after by the older crew leaders who loved being able to share the experience.”

Former VBS “camper” Annie Taylor returned for the second time this year as an activities leader. She called it a “great experience. I love seeing the little kids and helping them.”

Many of the VBS programs were infused by the directors and volunteers with unique components that incorporated perspective on Catholic religious customs and traditions as well as social justice teaching.

At one parish, Sacred Heart in Bay Head, the catechist staff created a program from scratch which they entitled “Rainbow Bridge to Heaven.”

“Each day had a special theme,” said Nancy Endacott, religious education coordinator. “For instance, one day was devoted to ‘Jesus Walks on Water’ while on another day, the children learned about ‘Joseph and his Technicolor Coat.’ They had a lot of fun,” said Endacott. “And, they learned a lot.”

The VBS in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, was one of many where the kids – in this case 175 of them – not only enjoyed themselves greatly during Bible adventure treks, games and songs, but on worthy causes as well during the week of July 16-20.

Renee Madaio, VBS coordinator there, reported that they were able to make a donation to the new St. Gregory the Great Academy Endowment Fund and collected toiletry items for the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

Madaio noted that the participants came not only from St. Gregory the Great, but from parishes in the surrounding area which do not run programs.

Some 140 children in Nativity Parish, Fair Haven, who shared the week with 70 youth volunteers, also focused on service to others as they contributed to the annual mission project: St. Jude’s School in the Kasana-Luweero Diocese, Uganda where they sponsor two of the students, Gabriella and Lucky.

Annie DiDomenico, VBS director, reported that the young people earned money by doing chores around their homes and a few had “a lemonade stand and shared their profits with the mission.”

In Epiphany Parish, Brick, VBS director Tracy Holler and her crew of more than 30 volunteers also focused on mission appeals encouraging the 60 children who attended to donate to the parish’s Helping Hands Food Pantry and add coins to their “well” where the donations were destined for the Red Cloud Indian School.

In an individual touch, the week was dedicated to Our Lady of America and saints linked with the great outdoors including Francis of Assisi and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, were introduced each day.

Holler and her whole family have been helping with VBS at Epiphany Parish for many years. This year, in fact, her daughter Annmarie, worked alongside diocesan seminarian John Michael Patilla leading the group of students in their activities.

A unique addition to summer faith experiences is the summer religious education program in St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel.  This year dubbed “Discovering Jesus at the Beach, Year 6!” each of two summer sessions drew 300 students to a relaxed and engaging environment, with time for grade-level lessons, crafts and fellowship. Coordinator of Religious Education, Dominica Vullo, noted that among the volunteers was Rev. Mr. Juan Rojas who assisted as sixth grade teacher.

Always enthusiastic about the Vacation Bible School experience, Holler referred to it as “a moving and holy week … I think the volunteers get as much out of it as the children do!

“It is especially evident in the teens that come back to volunteer every year,” Holler said. “They bond with each other and the little ones. It is a beautiful thing to witness.”