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Vacation Bible School By Hilary Anderson Summer now brings vacation Bible school to many Catholic children. These programs—once thought to be the domain of only Protestant churches—are becoming more popular at local parishes. The idea is not new. In Northlake, St. John Vianney’s program of teaching youngsters about their faith through Bible stories is a decade old. On the South Side, St. Denis and Ashburn Lutheran joined together seven years ago in a unique cooperative venture teaching neighborhood children about Scripture. Last year St. Bede joined the churches to make it a threesome. Both programs enable children to learn about their Catholic faith in fun, simple ways. Both arrive at the ultimate goal through somewhat different, but creative means. St. John Vianney parishioner Linda Haynes initiated the Vacation Bible School at her church with the approval of pastor Father John Fanelli. It grew out of a twofold sense of frustration. “A lot of [non-Catholic] churches had vacation Bible schools but there was nothing for our children,” said Haynes. “Parents didn’t discriminate about what church they sent their children to. That frustrated me. I also saw some of my friends leaving the church to learn more about Christianity through other faiths. They didn’t understand their own Catholicism and certainly couldn’t defend it.” Haynes theorized children could be taught about their faith using the Scriptures in an interesting manner, thus increasing their understanding of Catholicism and enabling them to discuss and defend their beliefs later in life. “We know more than we think but aren’t aware of how to talk about it,” she added. Fanelli gave Haynes a list of five important topics Catholics should know how to defend: the primacy of Peter, prayer, forgiveness, Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints. She researched the topics, developed and wrote a program. It uses gardening analogies throughout. An actual garden located next to the church’s adoration chapel helps the children understand concepts even better. “I chose gardening because so much of Scripture has references to it,” said Haynes. “Jesus used many gardening parallels. We also learn through sensory input.” The theme changes annually. Last year’s was biblical animals. Haynes brought in animals—including a camel—mentioned in the Scriptures. There also are craft projects related to the topics. “The program gets children excited about their faith and the Bible,” added Haynes. “Then we teach them to articulate it [their faith]. It’s our immense obligation.” Adrian Dominican Sister Mary Anne Yanz coordinated a cooperative vacation Bible school while working in Kentucky. She thought it would be perfect for the children in her area when she moved to Chicago. It was. Seven years later Yanz is part of the St. Denis-Ashburn Lutheran-St. Bede team that develops the well-attended program. Sessions now are held in St. Bede’s facilities, which are larger and air-conditioned. “I felt this [vacation Bible school] summer program would be a fun learning experience about our faith and the Scriptures,” said Yanz, director of religious education for St. Richard and St. Denis parishes. “It also would be a good way to bring the area’s children together.” Yanz says the three pastors visit each other’s churches. The vacation Bible school merely was an extension of what the adults already were doing. “It’s nice to work together with other churches,” said Yanz. “I like the way the pastors get involved with the [children’s] prayer service each morning. It’s nothing unusual though. The pastors exchange pulpits in ecumenical efforts and work as a team in the community. It’s not just a Sunday thing.” Yanz uses a formal program produced by Augsburg Press that has a different theme each year. There is a new Bible story each day along with related arts and crafts, activities and songs for children ages 4 to about 11 years. Older children in the confirmation classes often help with the program’s activities. The St. Denis-Ashburn Lutheran-St. Bede Vacation Bible School—like St. John Vianney’s—runs five mornings for a week but includes a Wednesday afternoon family swim at a Burbank pool. At the conclusion of the session, the children have a prayer service followed by skits and songs related to the Bible stories they covered. A social for children and their parents concludes the school. “This is a positive, fun learning experience about our faith and makes the Bible stories come alive,” said Yanz. “It’s a lot of work but worth it.”
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