JUNE 2022
community of St. John & St. James TOTUS TUUS
A Valuable Summertime Opportunity for Youth to Grow in Christ
S
t. Pope John Paul II’s motto, Totus Tuus, is Latin for “totally yours.” Totus Tuus is also a program that our youth get to experience each summer. The catecheticalbased program is led by a team of two men and two women, who are seminarians and college students. Teams spend a week at a parish walking youth through the Good News of Jesus Christ in a fun way. This year, we will welcome another A program like Totus Tuus may make a difference in your Totus Tuus team from June 26 to child’s life — it has made a difference for the youth of our July 1. First through sixth grades parishes and diocese for years. will attend from Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1, from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Seventh through 12 grades will attend Sunday, June 26 through Thursday, June 30, from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Totus Tuus, which has been held here for many years, truly impacts the children and youth who attend. Youth need to have some time in the summer to focus on their faith. Totus Tuus offers the opportunity for both summer fun and catechetical programming. “Since they have been ‘away’ from formal schooling for a few weeks, they seem to welcome a return to a moment of learning,” says Fr. John O’Neill. “Having a simple yet solid approach to age-appropriate catechesis fills a yearning that they seem to have.” Youth in both programs also have the opportunity for Mass and Reconciliation paired with learning about everything from the Rosary and the parts of the Mass to some of the saints of the Church. “It is a good mix for those attending to walk away with some long-lasting formation,” Fr. John says. continued on page 2
