Planning for Summer 2021
Vacation Bible School in 2020 was creatively implemented at several parishes by the creation of take home kits, boxes, and a variety of remote or online choices. Congratulations to our many talented and creative people for developing the adaptations!
IDEAS for 2021
Parishes choosing to hold in person VBS for children must be able to fully comply with the CDC, State, and Local health protocols, regular sanitization, and the diocesan directives.
It is advisable to design an alternative for home use for persons who prefer that option and if health advisories mandate a change of plans in your county.
Consider multiple options and for multiple age groups and/or intergenerational, family groups. Adult VBS can take the form of a mini series on a particular theme to appeal to a wide range of persons.
IDEAS for 2021
- Zoom "Cooking with the Saints," or "Praying with the Saints," for example
- outdoor scavenger hunt within the parish
- create pilgrimages to outdoor shrines within your county
- Tailor some activities for men over 50 only, women under 50 only, singles only, couples only, and other combinations.
Parishes choosing to hold in person VBS for children must be able to fully comply with the CDC, State, and Local health protocols, regular sanitization, and the diocesan directives.
It is advisable to design an alternative for home use for persons who prefer that option and if health advisories mandate a change of plans in your county.
Consider multiple options and for multiple age groups and/or intergenerational, family groups. Adult VBS can take the form of a mini series on a particular theme to appeal to a wide range of persons.
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The diocesan library has these and other books with great ideas for connecting in faith with kids.
We can mail them to you for free if you have a diocesan library mailing membership or for a small fee if you don't! Email MARGIE to let her know what you need! (mhynes@youngstowndiocese.org) |
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Planning VBS 2021
Questions to consider in choosing a VBS program:
- Does it recognize the centrality of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and not just the death and resurrection?
- Does it value the community experience of faith, and not just the individual experience?
- Does it integrate knowledge of the faith with living the faith?
- Does it engage the intellect, emotion, imagination, and creativity of all participants, or does it appeal only to the intellect or only to the emotion?
- Does it recognize the goodness of life in this world and the signs of God’s presence here, or does it speak only to spiritual experience and a concentration on eternity?
- Does it promote charity, appreciation, and respect for all racial, social, and religious backgrounds, or does it use exclusive language about salvation?
- Will the cost of it prohibit participation of all community members? How will you provide for those who cannot afford it?
- Can you adapt or create alternative activities for home use or an online meeting platform in case in-person sessions need to be cancelled or families want to participate but are not able to attend in person?
- If you share the program with area Protestant churches, is the program entirely ecumenical, that is, does it convey the teaching of participating traditions without causing confusion?
Ideas for Families this Summer:
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Finding God Everywhere Outdoor GameCLICK HERE to see instructions for this simple game for younger children, by Joe Paprocki, and additional activities.
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A Road to FreedomHome discussion activity on Harriet Tubman from Vibrant Faith Catalyst
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Download a Family Faith Summer KitCLICK HERE to get a download of a Family Faith Summer Kit with prayers, activities, saints, and gratitude tips from Sadlier Religion's Family Center.
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At-Home Activities for Summer Faith |
Loyola Press provides resources to help parents at home with ideas for activities to do as a family this summer.
Connecting Generations Choice Board
Encourage connections between generations with this new choice board that invites children to learn about and develop deeper relationships with their elders.
40 Ways to Foster Prayer in Your Home
Find inspiration for different ways to pray in the home by downloading Tom McGrath’s suggestions—in English or in Spanish.
Caring for the Environment—A Family Faith-Sharing Guide
Celebrate the beauty of God’s creation while learning what the Church says about caring for the environment.
Summer Prayer Placemat
Pause to thank God for the gifts of the season with a summer prayer placemat that invites children to compose a prayer of thanks in a fun fill-in style.
Pop-Up Catechesis: “I’ll Light a Candle for You”
Explore intercessory prayer with Pop-Up Catechesis host Joe Paprocki.
Praying the Daily Examen
Find multiply resources for the Examen, the defining Ignatian prayer.
40 Ways to Foster Prayer in Your Home
Find inspiration for different ways to pray in the home by downloading Tom McGrath’s suggestions, in English or in Spanish.
Pop-Up Catechesis: Teaching Traditional Prayers
Consider how to pass on traditional prayers to children.
Connecting Generations Choice Board
Encourage connections between generations with this new choice board that invites children to learn about and develop deeper relationships with their elders.
40 Ways to Foster Prayer in Your Home
Find inspiration for different ways to pray in the home by downloading Tom McGrath’s suggestions—in English or in Spanish.
Caring for the Environment—A Family Faith-Sharing Guide
Celebrate the beauty of God’s creation while learning what the Church says about caring for the environment.
Summer Prayer Placemat
Pause to thank God for the gifts of the season with a summer prayer placemat that invites children to compose a prayer of thanks in a fun fill-in style.
Pop-Up Catechesis: “I’ll Light a Candle for You”
Explore intercessory prayer with Pop-Up Catechesis host Joe Paprocki.
Praying the Daily Examen
Find multiply resources for the Examen, the defining Ignatian prayer.
40 Ways to Foster Prayer in Your Home
Find inspiration for different ways to pray in the home by downloading Tom McGrath’s suggestions, in English or in Spanish.
Pop-Up Catechesis: Teaching Traditional Prayers
Consider how to pass on traditional prayers to children.
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Family Activities for a Summer SundayOur Sunday Visitor's Teaching Catholic Kids offers enriching ideas to make Sunday a day of renewal of body, mind, and soul for every member of the family HERE.
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Adults can do At-Home VBS!Adults like the bible during summer, too! CLICK HERE for a free download from Sadlier Religion for a self-directed Scripture Mini Course for adults, Catholics and the Bible.
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Take time to rest and reflectIs how you feel on vacation telling you something about the rest of your life?
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Pray with Summer Saints
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CLICK HERE to learn more about Columba, and for lessons for grades k-12, and an intergenerational session on the patron saint of the Diocese of Youngstown.
St. Columba Feast Day: June 9 |
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CLICK HERE for resources and activities on Pentecost.
Pentecost: 7 Sundays after Easter June 5, 2022 May 28, 2023 |
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CLICK HERE for a St. Thomas More biography for children, from Loyola Press.
St. Thomas More feast day: June 22 |
Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
June 24
June 24
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CLICK HERE to find ways to celebrate St. John the Baptist.
CLICK HERE for background information on St. John the Baptist This short video will help children learn about the Birth of John the Baptist:
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CLICK HERE for elementary and intermediate activities from Sadlier Connect about St. Peter.
CLICK HERE for RCL background information on St. Paul. Saints Peter and Paul Feast Day: June 29 |
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CLICK HERE for a pdf of a reflection on St. Kateri Tekakwitha by Sr. Kateri Mitchell, SSA, Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan, the executive director of the Kateri Tekakwitha Conference.
CLICK HERE for a play script from Loyola Press about The Lily of the Mohawks. St. Kateri Tekakwitha Feast Day: July 14 |
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CLICK HERE for scripture-based learning and activities on Mary Magdalene.
CLICK HERE for a clear understanding of what we know about Mary Magdalene. St. Mary Magdalene Feast Day: July 22 |
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CLICK HERE for a free poster and booklet on St. Ignatius of Loyola from...you guessed it...Loyola Press!
St. Ignatius Feast Day: July 31 |
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CLICK HERE for "9 Things to Know about St. Maximilian Kolbe."
St. Maximilian Kolbe Feast Day: August 14 |
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CLICK HERE for a Mary scripture quest activity from Sadlier.
CLICK HERE for the Marian Resources page from Loyola Press. CLICK HERE for the amazing "All About Mary" website from the University of Dayton. It answers any question about Mary, and gives access to art, film, symbols, music, and much more about Mary. Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary: August 15 |
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CLICK HERE for a brief but meaningful introduction, "Who was St. Augustine and Why Should I Care?"
St. Augustine Feast Day: August 28 |
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Evaluate Your Catechetical YearCLICK HERE for great advice from Kathy Hendricks on how to evaluate programs, people, and yourself at the end of a catechetical year. From Sadlier Religion Blog.
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Recruit Catechists Now!CLICK HERE for a few brief but great tips from Catechist magazine for recruiting catechists.
CLICK HERE for staying positive and not getting desperate while inviting people into catechetical ministry (from Catechist's Journey). CLICK HERE for a Loyola Press helpful article that begins, ""Among the most crucial tasks of any catechetical leader are the recruitment and retention of good catechists...." |
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Stay ConnectedCLICK HERE for "9 Ways for Churches to Stay Connected with Parishioners" from Building Faith.
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