Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 7/29/04)

It may be a mystery how Father Francis Peffley keeps sharp knives and flames in mid-air during his juggling act, but the "Mysteries of the Catholic Faith" came to life last week during Holy Trinity’s weeklong Vacation Bible School in Gainesville.

Each day a different saint and prayer were incorporated into music lessons and craft projects to teach 160 students in grades pre-K through six about the Supernatural mysteries of the Catholic faith.

The mysteries explored included the Blessed Trinity, the Immaculate Conception, the Incarnation, the priesthood (Alter Christus — another Christ), and the Most Blessed Sacrament. Lessons were meant to teach that there are some aspects of the Catholic faith that are impossible to fully understand without the mind of God. Catholics must accept the teachings of the Church because they have been revealed through sacred tradition and/or sacred Scripture.

Twenty teenagers and 30 adults volunteered to make the week a success. Because most pre-packaged Vacation Bible School materials are geared toward Protestant programs, Director of Religious Education Michele Leary wrote a specifically Catholic program. The teachers adapted the program to meet the needs of each grade level.

On the last day of Bible school, the students and their parents were enrolled in the Miraculous Medal and they participated in Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. Children in grades three through six learned the Latin hymns, O Salutaris Hostia and Tantum Ergo in order to sing for Exposition and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Since Holy Trinity Parish was established in August 2001, the religious education program has grown from approximately 250 students to 600 as of last year.

The parish plans to break ground for its Church and religious education classrooms in September.