Dear VBS Parents,
On this last day of vacation bible camp, we looked at the Mass as a call to say “yes” to Jesus, and to go out into the world and be a light of Jesus to others. Fr. Brian and Sr. Anne Marie Knawa talked to our campers 2nd Grade and up about how they answered Jesus’ call and answered “yes” to becoming a priest and a nun. The children were very interested in hearing their stories, and they had some great questions.
Our week of learning more about the Mass culminated in the children participating in a Even with the little bit of chaos that comes with very little practice, the Mass was full of energy as the children formed a worshipping community.
There were so many wonderful volunteers who gave so much of themselves to make this a successful vacation bible school. First, someone who I neglected to thank after our Mass…. Sherri Rodrigues…my assistant, who did a lot behind the scenes, including creating the t-shirt iron-transfers and ironing them on our leader t-shirts. Thank you to our Decorator Coordinator, Lisa Rimbo, who did a fantastic job in a short amount of time! Thank you to our Group Leaders: Candy Hamilton, Gracy Sowa, Judy Radomski, and Betsy Herman. Thank you to our Station Leaders: Opening Ceremonies – Kathleen Kaye, Music – Amanda Latz, Elise Kutchenbecker, and Joe Martorano, Crafts – Maria Gillette, Fun & Games – Colleen Lieberstein, Snack – Cindy Kelly. Thank you to Nicole Ahline, a high schooler who was here every morning (even after a late night at Blue Man Group) to help out wherever she was needed. Thank you to the 7 young ladies from Regnum Christi and our many 8th Graders. May God bless our generous volunteers richly!
Parents, enjoy the songs your children will most likely be singing over the coming weeks. Perhaps you can use those songs as a jumping off point to teach them more about Jesus, the Mass, and our faith.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Kevin Cody
Director
630-257-2371
Dear VBS Parents,
The heat kept us indoors today. So, we had our carnival fun & games in the air-conditioned comfort of the .
Our Virtue of the Day was FAITH, and our theme was on the Mass as a sacred MEAL. Our campers were part of a demonstration that impressed upon them the message that like air, we can’t see faith, but we know that it’s there. They could see the effects of air filling up a balloon, but they couldn’t actually see the air. The same is true with God, in that we can’t see God, but we can see the effects of His creative and healing presence.
Every day the children listen to an audio clip in their homerooms that engages them in a discussion related to the theme of the day. Today the audio clip related to a passage from the Gospel of John where Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life!” They talked about the Eucharist as an extra special meal for our soul. Those children who aren’t old enough to receive Communion were reminded that Jesus is still very close to them, and that they have something really exciting to look forward to!
At the 11:00 Mass tomorrow, many of the children will have special roles in our celebration. The children will get up in front of the church during the time of the Homily to perform some of the songs that they have learned. The children will be dismissed after the Mass from the church. You will pick up your child(ren) from the church.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
God’s peace,
Kevin Cody
Director
630-257-2371
Dear VBS Parents,
The heat was cranked up for our 3rd day of camp! Mrs. Lieberstein appropriately scheduled the water-balloon toss to help cool things off. The balloons also went with our theme of celebration…. The Mass as a celebration that unites us with our Catholic community. The virtue of Unity was demonstrated when one child was asked to move a table that was in the way. When she couldn’t move it by herself, another child was asked to help out, then another, and another…. until, together they were able to move the table. They learned that we are strongest when we are united together in our work. On our own, we may succeed for a while, but it’s much harder and eventually we will tire out. As Christians, Jesus wants us also to be united with others in our “spiritual” work.
The children heard that when we gather around the table of the Lord, our prayers and actions become one. By God’s grace, we strengthen each other.
In this morning’s skit, the children heard an exchange between a young girl and her older brother at the breakfast table the morning after the girl went to a friend’s birthday party. She told him about the great time she had at the birthday party. When the brother reminded her that it was almost time to go to Mass, she said she didn’t feel like going because it’s so boring and she doesn’t get anything out of it. Her brother asked her if she went to the birthday party just to get something out of it. She replied, of course not… She wanted to celebrate and show her friend how much she cares about her. Her brother related that it’s kinda the same way for Mass… We go to Mass to give something to God. We give God thanks for what He’s done for us. We give him honor and worship. The girl insisted that Mass was still boring; that she just sits there and waits for it to be over so she can go home. When she responded to her brother that she doesn’t feel like singing the songs, he asked her when she had a good time at the party did she just sit there or was she right there singing and participating with her friends. She acknowledge that she did… but that was different! He told his little sister that if she wants to get something out of the Mass, then she has to participate in it. He advised her to get into it by saying the prayers like you know God’s hearing them, and sing the songs with a little feeling. She hesitatingly agreed. The big brother reminded her that the best reason to go to Mass is to receive Jesus in a special way. When objected that she didn’t feel any different after receiving communion, he asked her if she felt any different after taking the vitamins that were on the table. She responded, “No, but I know they are good for me.” He came back with the perspective that she should trust what Jesus did for us, and that we are truly receiving Him in the Eucharist. If we receive Him with an open and humble heart, he can change us and strengthen us from the inside out!
The campers worked on 2 banners: (1) At the Craft Station, they created a banner that we can use at children’s Masses, and (2) For their service project, they created a banner that can be used at all of our Vacation Bible Camp events in the years to come.
As always, the children love singing the songs with the different movements, and playing their outdoor games. They can look forward to carnival games and face-painting tomorrow!
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
God’s peace,
Kevin Cody
Director
630-257-2371
Dear VBS Parents,
Our 2nd day of camp and we were blessed with another beautiful day… let’s hope our good fortune holds out! The kids love getting outside and have the opportunity to run around and play games.
In this morning’s skit, the children learned that gifts that we receive are meant to be shared… They become more fun and valuable! They heard how Jesus gave Himself to us as a gift. Jesus as the Eucharist is the Greatest Gift we receive at We are then asked to share the gift of Jesus with others.
Our Virtue of the Day was PEACE. Kathleen Kaye demonstrated how they couldn’t hear her when they were screaming. When she asked them to be perfectly quiet, they could hear what she had to say. The children heard that sometimes we have to quiet ourselves in order to hear Jesus. In prayer, Jesus wants to hear from us, and He wants us to listen to him as well… that can be the tougher part of prayer. They practiced quiet prayer by going over to the chapel for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. They genuflected before the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance, and heard about how Jesus is truly present in the host. The children did very well in being quiet, listening to Jesus, and telling Him they love Him in their hearts.
In their home rooms, the children discussed how to prepare themselves for Mass, and what things they can do during Mass to better pay attention and participate in the celebration. The Saint of the Day was Mary: Queen of all Saints. The children heard how Catholics look to Mary as an example of faith, humility, and trust in God.
Your child will be bringing home their craft… a banner with symbols of the An exercise to help them better understand the Mass, and be a reminder to them when they see it hanging.
God’s peace,
Kevin Cody
Director
630-257-2371
Drop-Off & Pick-up Procedure:
Drive up the back parking lot in between the RE Building and the church. Our guides will assist your children out of the cars and into the Church Hall. DROP OFF IS NO LATER THAN 8:50. You will have to walk your child in after 8:55.
Park in the parking lot or on the street to pick up your children from their homerooms. Please try to not block off the parking lot so people can't get out.
Closing Ceremony Mass:
Plan ahead for the closing Mass on Friday that includes performances from the campers. It will start at 11:00 am, and may take up to an hour.
We look forward to seeing your children's bright faces here again tomorrow!
God's peace,
Kevin Cody, DRE
630-257-2371
We hope your campers enjoyed their first day at our vacation Bible camp. They may have mentioned to you about the funny donkey or the watermelon seed that Ms. Kathleen Kaye’s going to try to grow, the Mystery Bags that they made, the songs that they sang, or the fun games they played. Today’s theme was the Mass as a GIFT. The virtue that they heard about during the day was “Patience”. Ms. Kaye was impatient about her seed not growing right away, and the kids told her that she has to wait for it to grow. The kids learned that it takes time and patience to understand and discover the mysteries of our Catholic faith a little more and to grow closer to God. “If we’re willing to keep watering our faith with prayer, study, sacraments, (etc.) and keep our hearts in the light of Jesus the Son of God, then every seed we plant will eventually bear fruit” … like the watermelon seed.
Tomorrow’s virtue will be “peace”, and the theme will be the Mass as a GIFT.
Drop-Off & Pick-up Procedure:
Drive up the back parking lot in between the RE Building and the church. Our guides will assist your children out of the cars and into the Church Hall. DROP OFF IS NO LATER THAN 8:50. You will have to walk your child in after 8:55.
Park in the parking lot or on the street to pick up your children from their homerooms. Please try to not block off the parking lot so people can't get out.
Closing Ceremony Mass:
Plan ahead for the closing Mass on Friday that includes performances from the campers. It will start at 11:00 am, and may take up to an hour.
We look forward to seeing your children's bright faces here again tomorrow!