Totus Tuus to be offered in many parishes of the diocese

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
May 31, 2007

Many parishes throughout the Diocese of Sioux City will host the Totus Tuus program this summer.

Totus Tuus (Totally Yours) is a fun and energetic parish-based summer catechetical program for both grade school age children and junior and senior high school youth. This is the second year the program has been offered in the diocese.

"It started in Witchita and has since moved to other dioceses - Denver, Sioux Falls, Oklahoma, Chicago - and now here," said Mark Thomason, director of catechesis, evangelization and RCIA for the diocese.

The dates of the sessions include June 11-15 at Blessed Sacrament and Immaculate Conception and Nativity in Sioux City; June 18-22 at St. Michael in Kingsley and St. Joseph in Milford; June 25-29 at Holy Name in Marcus; July 9-13 at Holy Spirit in Carroll and Immaculate Conception in Cherokee; July 16-20 at Sacred Heart in Spencer and Holy Family in Emmetsburg; July 23-27 at St. Joseph in Wall Lake and Holy Trinity of Webster County in Fort Dodge; and July 30-Aug. 3 at St. John in Onawa and St. Mary in Larchwood.

There is the option for one other parish to have a session June 25-29. The week of July 4, there will not be a session.

"One thing I like about Totus Tuus is that because it travels it goes out to the parishes. It is a way for the diocese to help the parishes," said Thomason. "Every parish gets the same thing, so now you have 14 sets of kids that will experience the program."

Another part of Totus Tuus that he likes is that it is on a six-year cycle. During those years, the students learn about the mysteries of the rosary as well as another component of the church.

This year the students will learn about the sorrowful mysteries and the sacraments.

"A child can go to Totus Tuus for six years and get something new every year," said Thomason. "The sixth year they will have grown and have a new perspective."

He added that the program is catered to the different ages that attend.

College students and seminarians make up the four-person teams. The teams attend training and are then sent on the road to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in various parishes in the diocese.

There are two teams this year. Each team will go to a different host site during the seven weeks, in which the program is offered.

The team serves for a week in each parish by putting on a program Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for junior and senior high school youth. The team also presents a grade school program (grades 1-6) that runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

During the evening session for the youth, the goal is to put the youth in contact with the Lord so that they can develop a deep personal relationship with him.

There is a night of Adoration and the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation, catechetical instruction on topics important to young people and a night of fellowship with the team members.

"I think it is a really good balance of catechesis and fun," said Thomason.

He mentioned that the students enjoy learning from college students.

"That kid is cool and he is telling me about Jesus," said Thomason. "It also changes the teachers. I know a lot my friends, who are former Totus Tuus teachers, loved it. It changed their lives."

The day session for the grade school students is spent on catechetical instruction, songs, games, daily Mass, the opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation, lunch, recess and more. The focus is on imparting an understanding and love of the Eucharist, devotion to Mary, catechetical instruction, vocational discernment and providing an enjoyable experience.

"It helps vocations. It gives the kids tangible models as opposed to sports figures," said Thomason. "I like the idea that they take time to pray with the kids and teach them."

The team members stay with families of the parish, eat with different families throughout the week and invite the entire parish to a "potluck" dinner on Wednesday night.

"If you are a parent of a kid in grade school and you want them to have a good experience and to change for the better, this is it," said Thomason. "You will get a kid back with more love of Jesus than they had before. It is a real opportunity for conversion, especially for high school students."

Those wishing to sign-up for Totus Tuus may contact the host parishes. (See the Totus Tuus ad on page 5 for more information.)