Vacation Bible School Brings Children of Our Parish Together to Share God’s Word

St. Mary on the Hill is calling our youngest parishioners to “climb aboard the Rocky Railway” for this summer’s Vacation Bible School program! Our parish is thrilled to bring back a summer VBS camp for the first time in seven years, offering a week of Bible learning fun for children from kindergarten through the third grade. While the COVID-19 crisis derailed the VBS comeback that had been planned for last summer, this year’s program promises to be well worth the wait!

Parishioner Christy McArdle is excited to get the VBS program back on track here at St. Mary on the Hill.

“I grew up with VBS and loved it,” she says. “I just think it’s such a fun experience for kids to go somewherefor a week and learn so much about God and the lessons from the Bible. Being able to do it with their friends, games, and crafts just makes it a fun way to learn about God. And we have so many kids at the church — this is a great thing to offer.”

This summer, our parish will be using a VBS program designed by Our Sunday Visitor, a Totally Catholic VBS, that incorporates both biblical points and Catholic teachings.

A typical day is divided into several stations or activities. With the “Rocky Railway” theme, the message that Jesus helps get us through the ups and downs of life is a common thread throughout the program. Children will open each day with prayer and song, and then break into groups for Bible storytime, arts and crafts, active games, themed video clips, and a snack.

Christy loves the way VBS camps bring so many parish families together.

“The parents and families will get to know each other and just have good support,” she says. “We’re all raising our kids in the Catholic faith, and you don’t want to do that alone. You want like-minded people on the journey with you. VBS brings more of a support system from your parish. Your kids will also make friends and have that spiritual support. They will be getting to enjoy God and everything He gives us with their friends.”

With a great group of adult and teen volunteers already lined up for a week on the “Rocky Railway” with our young parishioners,

Christy is thankful to see VBS become a parish-backed ministry at St. Mary on the Hill. Surely, the rewards of spending a week together in faith and fellowship will be a blessing to all the children and volunteers who hop aboard with VBS this year!

“Our number-one goal as parents is to get our kids to heaven, so we want them to have positive experiences at church and in the church community,” Christy says. “It’s important to keep their spiritual life on track, help them connect with others in their parish family, and make those positive memories.”

The one-week, half-day program will take place June 28-July 2.