Vacation Bible School: Finding Summer Joy

By Robin Mull

Director of Marketing

Parishes throughout the diocese teach children about the word of God every summer in Vacation Bible School.

“The significance of Vacation Bible School is that the children are receiving the faith in a very different but joyful and loving way,” says Father Douglas E. Dorula, pastor of St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kittanning, and administrator of St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Yatesboro.

Many VBS volunteers are former participants. Rita and Brendan Boylan, teenage parishioners of St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, have spent a week every summer at VBS since childhood. Now they dedicate a week of their summer vacation earning service hours by teaching and leading VBS students.

Brendan says he volunteers because his friends help and it’s a fun and different way to learn the faith. He enjoys seeing children learn and grow in their faith.

“I grew up doing Vacation Bible School, and I just wanted to continue doing it,” Rita said. “Helping out is so much fun. And being with the kids is a great experience.”

Most VBS programs have a special performance for families on the closing day to show what the children have learned throughout the week.

“The kids get really enthusiastic about it,” Father Dorula said. “Their parents and their grandparents remember when they might have gone to Vacation Bible School, so it really links the generations.”