TOTUS TUUS: Bringing the Good News to the Youth of Our Community This Summer

You may be familiar with St. Pope John Paul II’s motto, Totus Tuus, which is Latin for “totally yours.” Totus Tuus is also a program that our youth get to experience each summer. Seminarians and college students travel all over our diocese in groups of four — two men and two women — to share the Good News with elementary, middle, and high school students. This is a wonderful opportunity for our youth to grow in faith over the summer. Talk to your kids about attending this program — they won’t regret it!

The students in first through sixth grades attend from Monday, June 19, to Thursday, June 22 during the day. Youth in seventh through 12th grades attend in the evening from Sunday, June 18, to Wednesday, June 21.

Totus Tuus, which has been held at the parish for many years, really impacts the children and youth who attend. It offers the opportunity for both summer fun and faith. For the younger grades, there are activities like skits, games, and prayers.

Seventh-grader Jillian Magnuson has attended Totus Tuus for many years. She recently had the opportunity to participate in the evening program. She liked when the group was split into young men and young women so that they could discuss specific topics.

“I learned a lot about my faith at Totus Tuus,” Jillian says. “It was educational.”

She also enjoyed the skits put on by the team and the games they played as a group. The evening program is for youth to move forward in their faith and to discuss topics and issues they may be experiencing.

“We learned what the words of the Our Father meant, and that stood out to me,” Jillian says. “It was a good way to learn more about my faith and grow in faith.”

The day program for the younger kids is more about the fun coupled with learning. They attend Mass each day. The week ends with a water fight with Fr. Paul Timmerman, which is always a highlight!

Ann Voller, Area Coordinator of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, hopes more youth will attend this excellent Catholic program.

“I think all the youth of our parishes should attend, as they learn about sound Catholic theology concepts through a fun and engaging experience,” Ann says. “Most importantly, they see the missionaries, seminarians, and other young adults on fire for the Lord!”

Totus Tuus is truly a highlight of the summer for Ann.

“I enjoy seeing all the smiles on the students’ faces and hearing them be able to recite the information that they have learned back to the missionaries, to their parents, and myself,” she says. “It is truly rewarding to see the kids learn so much in just a few days.”

Jillian loved spending time with the Totus Tuus missionaries and getting to know them. She offers some helpful advice for anyone thinking about going.

“For the younger kids, it’s a fun time,” she says. “You won’t regret going, I guarantee it. For the older youth — you may not have all the fun and games like when you were younger, but you go deeper into your faith, and you get to know people, too.”

Jillian likes to stay involved in her faith by attending Youth Group — it’s an integral part of her faith. She is also an altar server and enjoys the opportunity to learn more about the Mass and assist the priest.

Registration for Totus Tuus will begin in April and be open through June 1. Help is always needed to make this program work in the Holy Family Area. Host families are needed to host the missionaries, along with Volunteers who invite them into their homes for supper. More help is always appreciated. Please contact Ann to see how you can help!

Learn more by contacting Ann Voller at areaffcoordinator@holyfamilyarea.org. Information will also be shared at Faith Formation classes.