VBS Pictures are now online at http://www.saintpetercatholic.com/vbs_2012/

                                          “The Gospel and the Digital Age”

             Pope Benedict has spoken a number of times of the need for the Church to engage the digital world with the truths of the Gospel.  In fact, the Vatican even hosted a conference for bloggers, especially Catholic ones in 2011. 

            St. Peter’s is blessed to have a substantial presence online via our parish website:  http://www.saintpetercatholic.com/        and our Facebook Account.  Special thanks to parishioners Jason & Darcy Bunn who both set up and maintain the website and Facebook account!   Unlike most of my generation, I’m not the most savvy with regard to the “New Media” so they’ve helpfully made it simple enough for even me to upload material!    

            Some time back I received an email from a parish in Florida who had come across our website.  They were impressed with the Eucharistic Adoration we have at St. Peter’s and the resources on the website in regard to it.  So they asked if they could use our material as they sought to implement Adoration at their parish.  We happily agreed to do so!  Similarly, every year we get requests from all over the country (and even the Philippines!) for our Vacation Bible School materials, all of which our very talented parishioners have created from scratch.  

            As I’ve written previously, Stevens Point held its first ever 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil this past Lent.  St. Peter’s, and our own Jennifer Dunnett, were a huge part of making this a success.   Pro-Life Wisconsin wanted to put together a short documentary on the experience of 40 Days for Life here as a tool to encourage other communities to take up the effort.   Virginia Zignego, Communications Director for Pro-Life Wisconsin recently spent a day at St. Peter’s doing video interviews of the participants.  Since, St. Peter’s Parishioners were such a huge part of the effort, it seemed natural to do the filming here—and we were only too happy to cooperate!  I’ll be sure to let you know when the finished product comes out! 

It was the first time Virginia had been to St. Peter’s and she was awed by the beauty of the church, so much so that she took lots of pictures and then posted them on a statewide blog she’s a part of, The Badger Catholic.   More good (and free) press coverage for our beautiful church!   You can find the link either off of the Parish Facebook account or at:  http://badgercatholic.blogspot.com/2012/05/st-peter-stevens-point.html?spref=fb         

God bless you!

Phil Lawson                                                                                     

Director of Catechesis & Evangelization

For several years at Saint Peter’s, volunteers and parish staff have worked together to offer unique Vacation Bible School programs strong on Catholic identity to area young people, often reflecting a topic that is current to that year in the Universal Church.  This year, the theme “There’s No Place Like Rome” culminates with the beatification ceremony of Blessed Pope John Paul II, an event which actually took place on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Every aspect of the program is custom-designed to teach the Catholic faith, whether it’s in a classroom setting with age-appropriate lessons and activities, craft projects, times of prayer, or music and skits.  Volunteers write the curriculum, design the projects, write the scripts for the skits, and even some of the music is written for the program, while other songs are adopted to fit the theme, including some Latin Gregorian chant.  When we call it a “Catholic Vacation Bible School”, we mean that you’ll find Catholic identity everywhere you look (and listen!).

Here are recordings of the songs being used for Saint Peter’s Catholic Vacation Bible School 2011.  The words for the songs are found here.

“There’s No Place Like Rome” Vacation Bible School 2011 Music:

1. How to Become a Canonized Saint (includes audio of Pope Benedict XVI at beatification ceremony of JPII, and of Pope John Paul II speaking to Catholic University students in 1979)
2. My All in All
3. Silver and Gold Have I None
4. Sweet Wind
5. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
6. Crux Fidelis
7. Litany of Saints (First Christian Martyrs)

As usual, St. Peter’s Vacation Bible School wraps up with a pizza luncheon for all the families (and friends) of the students, and a special program showcasing what they learned during their week.  Often this has been the performance of a musical skit, but there’s a new dimension to the program this year… you might even call it “3D.” Come and see!  Festivities start at noon on Friday July 22 in Kolbe Hall.

For the past seven years, St. Peter parishioners have developed our own custom Vacation Bible School program.  This year, recalling the great joy of the beatification of Blessed John Paul II, we’re taking a virtual “backpacking” journey through Rome.  Mornings (9:30 AM through noon) from July 18 through July 22, students from grades K through 6 are invited to explore the catacombs, the major Roman Basilicas, the Sistine Chapel, and, of course, St. Peter’s Basilica.  Learn how the Church beatifies and canonizes as we look forward to what must happen before John Paul II is declared a saint.  Each day features songs, crafts, food and fellowship, with a skit on Friday at noon to round out the week.  Spots are still open, so contact the parish if you haven’t registered yet.  We look forward to seeing you!

Coming up July 18th-22nd “There’s No Place Like Rome” Vacation Bible School.  Take a backpacking trip to Rome, visiting all the ancient sites, concluding with the beatification of Bl. Pope John Paul II.  Recreate the Sistine Chapel, visit the Catacombs and enjoy all the usual VBS activities like music, crafts, and snacks, all while learning more about the Faith!  Contact the Parish Office 715-344-6115 or lawsphil@gmail.com for more information.  Space is still available!

Catholic Vacation Bible School at Saint Peters

Vacation Bible School 2009 at St. Peter CatholicChurch will be held from Monday, July 13th to Friday, July 17, 9am to noon each day. Email Phil Lawson to register, or fill out and return the VBS registration flyer to the parish office.

About Vacation Bible School 2006 at St. Peter Catholic Church

Looking for a Catholic Vacation Bible School program for your parish?

We have received some requests for the program we’re using, so we are working on a package that other parishes will be able to use as well. If you would like to be notified when it is available, please email Phil at lawsphil@gmail.com.

Vacation Bible School 2010 at St. Peter Catholic Church was held from Monday, July 19th to Friday, July 23, 9:30 am to noon each day.  VBS registration flyer

Each summer since 2006, St. Peter parish has tapped the generosity, imagination, creativity, and hard work of our parishioners to produce an original, truly Catholic, Vacation Bible School. Each year focused on a particular theme and has included games, skits, and teaching that draws on our rich Catholic heritage. Starting in 2006 with the “Holy Land Express”, we have studied the great Polish saints and mystics (include Pope John Paul the Great), learned to look at Christ as “Our Hope”, and in 2009, we will be following the footsteps of Saint Paul the Apostle.

2010′s Catholic vacation bible school theme is “Friends of Christ” and focuses on the Year of the Priest. Designed by volunteers at St. Peter’s, the VBS program is strong on Catholic identity and fun as the young people meet the saint of the day “in person”, learn from scripture and the Catechism, attend children’s Eucharistic adoration, sing songs, do crafts, and play sports, culminating Friday in a lunchtime pizza party with parents including a dramatic performance by the students. Register for this year’s Catholic Vacation Bible School, “Friends of Christ.”

Catholic Vacation Bible School 2009 Registration

VBS 2008,. “Christ our Hope”

The original Catholic VBS, the “Holy Land Express”