The African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization Network of the Diocese of Raleigh provided several Black and Indian Mission Office grants to parishes that serve the evangelization of African American, Native American and Alaska Native communities.
The AAMEN office received feedback from parishes and missions, including Holy Cross, St. Ann, St. Mary and Immaculate Conception, which held Vacation Bible School and summer camps and met the BIMO grant requirements.
Holy Cross Catholic Church, Durham
“Peace be with you” was the theme for summer campers at Holy Cross. Organizers welcomed 22 children in grades Pre-K through 6th and 20 volunteers.
Camp days consisted of worship, scripture, games, activities, music, movement and crafts. A drama team acted out scripture readings to increase the children’s understanding of the lesson. A hospitality team prepared dinners each evening for the campers and parents.
Campers were able to take home handcrafted items that further emphasized the lessons. Examples included mosaic tea lights as a reminder to “let your light shine,” hand-painted bread cloth to line breadbaskets used for meals, personalized placemats and heart-shaped cinnamon buttered bread.
Participants did a service project, too. Campers picked more than 12 pounds of tomatoes and cucumbers from the community garden at Holy Cross and donated them to Catholic Charities for distribution.
Each day of camp, parents received a summary sheet to follow up with their child at home. To promote reflection, each camper had a study guide.
St. Ann Catholic Church, Fayetteville
Attendees at St. Ann’s event received a tour and talk about the Black Catholics who founded the parish in Fayetteville. To celebrate Juneteenth, the Youth Center participants learned about local history, which included information about the enslaved Africans who were sold at the Market House in downtown Fayetteville. The campers visited Orange Street School, which served African American students from 1915 through the 1960s. Director Georgeanna Pinkney provided campers an education about the school’s history, and campers were taken back in time. The camp served both hearing and deaf campers. On the last day, art materials provided opportunities for campers to listen, draw and create to share what they learned and how this experience impacted their understanding of African American history.
St. Mary Catholic Church, Goldsboro
The Vacation Bible School theme at St. Mary in Goldsboro was “God at Work Building a Foundation of Faith.” During the event, youth learned, through music and games, how they can build their faith in God. The event welcomed 45 youth participants in grades K through 6th.
Immaculate Conception Mission, Rocky Mount
Immaculate Conception Catholic Mission in Rocky Mount hosted its annual Vacation Bible School in June. The theme, “Twists and Turns,” highlighted the ways Jesus guides everyone through the twists and turns in life. Organizers used stories from the Bible, such as Peter the fisherman, as examples.
Father Tim Meares reinforced the theme and spoke to the students about trusting God and praying consistently.
Each day began with a light breakfast, prayer and morning wakeup songs. Students enjoyed artwork and puzzles. Daily incentives were given throughout the week for participating in discussions and daily review time. The students also learned and sang songs in preparation for the end of the week program.
The week culminated with a program and pizza party for the students, parents and friends. Students were awarded a VBS attendance certificate.
*NC Catholics contributed to this report.
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