Many Contributed To

Vacation Bible School

To the Editor:

Each year, area churches come together to hold an Ecumenical Vacation Church School. Each year, we work together as a faith-filled community to bring the light of Jesus to our youth. Each year, we are filled to capacity and have to turn students away. What a happy dilemma! So, while continuing to participate and support our ecumenical program, St Rose Church, in trying to accommodate more children, hosted an additional weeklong camp. I would like to take this time and space to thank some wonderful people who without their help, the first-ever St Rose Vacation Bible School, which was held July 14–18, would not have been the great success it was!

For the coordinators who gave their time and talents to plan, gather, and implement their area specials: Nancy Hudson, Jayne Thomas, Jeanne Lewin, Steve Gerry, Cindy Houle, Ginny Gorman, Reggie Cernick, Kristen Renzi, Kathy Belmont, and Janis Solheim.

For their many helpers, both adult and youth who so willingly and cheerfully offered assistance whenever needed.

For our teachers: Chris Holland, Karen Katrinak, Mary Jo Runkle, Patti Lansing, Carrie Cabral, Allison Brinker, Cate Gosselin, Donna Locke, Heidi Johnston, Nancy Notaro, Lilly Campbell, and Jeanne Lewin.

With love and care they decorated rooms, prepared activities, and presented daily lessons to all of our 145 campers. Their classroom aides helped decorate, participated in lesson and activity time, and gave a great deal of piggyback rides, all done with smiles and enthusiasm!

For the staff of St Rose –– Father Bob, Father John, Father Milan, Pam Arsenault and Ed McCauly –– who graciously acted in our morning skits with all its “hog calling” and county fair fun and their thoughtful discussions with the children about the daily theme and Fruit of the Spirit. Their support and guidance of both the VBS program and myself is greatly appreciated.

A number of others were also involved both on and off the scene, Lisa Boff and Dot Perpignand for helping man our carnival booth, Mark and Ann Feltch for their generous donation as well as all the parishioners who gave so freely to help support our school. The Newtown Police Department for their help in keeping us safe as we exited our parking lot each day. The staff of St Rose School for their understanding and patience. The many people and businesses that donated food and supplies: Motts Applesauce, The Big Y, Newtown Super Stop & Shop, Stew Leonard’s, Costco, Bagelman, Dunkin’ Donuts, Pepsi Bottling Group, and all the parents who contributed food for our snacks. Sister Thaddeus, Fran Gargano, and Doreen Morrissey for all their office help. Linda O’Such with “She” for their participation in our Friday morning skit. And Sally O’ Neil and the Parish Nurse Ministry who so lovingly dispersed band-aides and kindness to campers who needed it. Close to 95 good-hearted people shared their time, efforts, and talents to help spread the love and good news of Jesus to so many young hearts. God bless them all for their contributions.

Most sincere thanks to all the parents who entrusted their children to us and for continually choosing to nurture their children’s spiritual growth!

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23. Thank you one and all for your shining examples of “good fruit”! See you again next year!

God Bless,

Janice Gerry, Director

St Rose VBS

38 Church Hill Road, Newtown                                     July 29, 2003