Search
-
July 11, 2019Many Oklahomans may have heard the term “Vacation Bible School” but are not familiar with the term “Totus Tuus,” which is Latin for “Totally Yours.” Totally yours was a motto of Saint John Paul II, who understood the importance of educating the young.
Totus Tuus, which is administered by the Diocese of Tulsa, involves four college-age students being sent to work and live with individual parishes for one week to work with students from grades 1-12.
This program provides well-trained, experienced and enthusiastic college students who live and love their faith. Each year, the program emphasizes different areas of the Bible and the Mysteries of the Rosary. The agenda for 2019 includes the Sacraments and the Sorrowful Mysteries. The popular program has expanded to nine teams, serving different parishes in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Fort Worth and Little Rock.
Sarah Jameson, director for young adult and campus ministries for the Diocese of Tulsa, serves as administrator of the Totus Tuus program.
“It is a great joy to work with young adults and college students who are in love with Christ. The missionaries are young people who believe being faith-filled is a challenge but entirely possible in today's world.”
Several parishes in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City have completed the very successful program and some plan to begin this summer.
Saint Joseph in Ada is in its sixth year having Totus Tuus. The missionaries worked at Saint Joseph from July 6-12 under the direction of Allison Krause, the religious education director.
“They brought a great deal of zeal to the kids in Ada.”
The program included an opportunity for Mass and confession and a visit from the Ada Fire Department.
Saint Mary in Ardmore will host Totus Tuus from July 20-26 under the direction of Deacon Juan Jimenez.
“I have noticed a great deal of enthusiasm in early enrollment,” Deacon Jimenez said. “We are planning on having a huge parish picnic at the beginning of the week to highlight our very first program.”
For more information on Totus Tuus, go online to www.dioceseoftulsayouth.org.
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.