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| |  Posted 6/26/2008 6:58:26 PM | |
| Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/26/2008 6:57:11 PM
Posts: 10, Visits: 75 |
| | Hi, I'm not Erin, but I have looked into some of the Catholic only VBS programs (only online, I haven't gotten actual samples or anything) but my first impression is that the quality doesn't even come close to Group. I'm just talking about the look of the program because I haven't seen any of the materials, but with today's kids with their Ipods and internet, etc I think Group has the best program going for the upper elementary kids. I'm not sure what people want when they want a "Catholic only" program but the ones I've seen are very heavy on the Saints and Mary. I just don't think a program has to be just all about the saints and Mary and sacraments to be Catholic. We have all year in our religious ed. program to teach about the Catholic Faith and VBS is just one part of our faith formation program. For me, I see VBS as one week to have fun, get kids excited about Jesus and build friendships and a sense of community with our kids. Then, hopefully, they will have so much fun that when we register for CCD in August, they will be begging their parents to bring them. Then we can have plenty of time to teach about the sacraments and saints and everything else they need to know. And I think there are plenty of ways to incorporate Catholic teachings into the week in meaningful ways like when we introduced the song "Power in the Blood" we recognized the kids who had just made their first communion a few weeks earlier and talked about how when they drank the wine they received the blood of Christ and we were going to sing a song about the wonder-working power in the blood and how cool that was. I feel better knowing that the Harcourt version has the Imprimatur so I don't worry about teaching something we shouldn't so I just don't see a need for a Catholic only VBS. I think it's great that we can use a quality program and add what we want or use it as is as a part of our total faith formation program. |
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| | | Posted 6/27/2008 10:44:17 PM | |
| Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/8/2008 6:06:35 PM
Posts: 8, Visits: 14 |
| One thing we are doing to make it more "Catholic" is the prayer bracelet we are replacing with sacrifice beads. We have a 4 -way medal blessed by our Pastor and we are making the beads into a bracelet. If you aren't familiar with the sacrifice beads there is a great website that talks about them and the mission. The little ways is the name of the group. If you google make sacrifice beads you will find them. They are something that St. Therese of the Little Flower originated. A great way to include a saint of the day and it is day five a nice rememberance of the week. We are hoping that since the medals are blessed that these won't go the way of most of the crafts and end up in the trash, but rather they will be a lasting remembrance.
Erin
Blessed Sacrament Church
Springfield, IL |
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| | | Posted 7/7/2008 8:29:52 PM | |
| Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/12/2008 8:31:46 AM
Posts: 8, Visits: 49 |
| | I've researched Catholic vbs and agree that nothing comes close to Group. And they are way more expensive and you're right, they are all about Mary and the Saints. I've developed my own VBS in previous years and have also used generic kits - I added my own Catholic component. I think the Catholic publishers are missing a great opportunity here - these kids love learning VBS style - its a shame they don't do a nice, slick, EASY, cost effective VBS with some Catholic identity. Harcourt is a beginning but I wish the tie ins were better incoporated. And the faithful people cards are pretty bland....but maybe soon..... Don't get me wrong, I think generic kits don't do any harm but just think we miss a good opportunity with the kids. We should prod Catholic publishers to make a decent product. Seems like we're always lagging behind other Christian denominations with stuff like this. But anyway, thanks to all of you out there who love our kids enough to put VBS together for them! I think the seeds we are planting will bring amazing fruit in the future! Thanks for sharing some great ideas. Good job all those who are finished and good luck to those who are still planning! Raine in VA
Raine in VA |
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