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A mix of faith and fun

Dave Borowski | Catholic Herald

Camper Patrick Butler, 7, cuts parts for the tabernacle project.

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Dominican Sr. Juan Jose helps a younger camper create his tabernacle.

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Campers work on their projects, while Dominican Sr. Juan Jose looks on.

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Dominican Sr. Gabriella helps Joseph Nicolai with his rosary..

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You could tell that the children were having fun June 18 at
Vacation Bible Camp at St. John the Evangelist School in
Warrenton. Laughter and excited giggles poured from the gym
where children played “Simon says”, running across the gym
floor following “Simon’s” orders.

It was the same joyous noise when the campers worked together
to make cardboard tabernacles and when they went on a
scavenger hunt.

The 96 children who registered for the five-day camp which
began June 15 expected faith and fun, and they got what they
bargained for.

There has been a summer camp at St. John the Evangelist for
many years, but the camp was given new direction after Father
James R. Gould became the pastor five years ago.

“Academic, social and spiritual,” he said were the three
areas he wanted emphasized in the camp.

Father Gould also wanted a focus on Mary, the saints and
Scripture in religious education. He said that if the
children are engaged, they will bring their parents to
church.

About three years ago, Father Gould hired Sherin Murphy to be
the director of religious education. He gave her a
suggestion.

“Let’s bring the sisters in,” he said.

The sisters were the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the
Eucharist, based in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The sisters have returned to St. John the Evangelist every
summer since and were there for this year’s camp “In the
Beginning: The Holy Bible.” This was a new program in the
“Week of Graces” series developed by Carol Ann Jones, and
designed for children ages 5-12.

This year, Sisters Michael Vincent, Juan Jose and Gabriella
helped lead the Bible camp.

The camp traced events in the Bible, beginning with the
creation story and finishing with the sacrifice of Jesus on
the cross. There was prayer each day, a rosary on two of the
days and a Mass on Friday. The sisters helped students with
crafts and prayers. There were 18 high school students who
volunteered to help out receiving service hours.

“They’re here because they love their faith,” said Murphy.

Like every summer camp, there were crafts, but these had a
biblical theme. Each day brought something different from
creation wheels on Monday to gifts of the Holy Spirit
bracelets on Friday.

The campers ended each day with a play. On June 18, costumed
students presented the five luminous mysteries: Jesus’s
baptism in the Jordan, the wedding feast at Cana, the
proclamation of the kingdom, the transfiguration and the
institution of the Eucharist.

Children in period costumes took to the stage interpreting
the mysteries as their parents looked on.

At the end of the day campers met their parents and talked
with their friends about their experience.

Camper Maria Camarca, 7, thought the camp was good and she
had fun.

John Paccassi, 12, was a young volunteer who was a bit more
practical.

“I like the snacks,” he said.

The sisters praised the experience too.

“This is a great parish,” said Sister Michael Vincent. “The
family and the kids are so welcoming.”

Camp director Murphy said the camp was a hit with campers and
their parents.

“It was a great success,” she said. “Everyone left tired. It
was a joyful noise.”

Borowski can be reached at [email protected]
or on Twitter @DBorowskiACH.

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