The seeds for a bright future were planted and nourished by one of this year’s Totus Tuus teams through faith-enriching games and activities at St. John the Baptist Church in Montello, part of St. John Henry Newman Pastorate.
The team, composed of Cade Sullivan, a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison; Michael Milbrath, from Ixonia, Wis.; Chloe Timm, from St. John Paul II Pastorate; and Clara Weiss, from Mary, Mother of Mercy Pastorate, spent a week in Montello teaching youth about the sacraments, the Blessed Mother, and the foundations of the Catholic Faith.
Totus Tuus, Latin for “totally yours,” stems from St. John Paul II’s devotion to Mary. Since 1987, the program has provided Catholic youth across the U.S. with fun, spiritual experiences focused on evangelization and catechesis. The program has been active in the Diocese of Madison since 2014.
“It’s very inspiring for the children because they play games, but then they get down to business about the Faith and your soul,” Mary Brockup, a volunteer at St. John the Baptist, said. “It’s about life here [on Earth] and what’s waiting for you in Heaven.”
The program also engages parents and families. Adults who volunteer as chaperones often sit in on classes, and family nights feature speakers, sometimes including Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.
Marianne Biedrzycki, director of religious education at St. John the Baptist, shared that bringing Totus Tuus to Montello had been a goal for some time.
“Kids have youth sport camps all summer, and you want to put your kids into things that develop their gifts and talents,” she said. “But, why not put them in a program where you experience the giver of those gifts because those rewards are eternal.”
Biedrzycki explained that Totus Tuus is different from a typical summer program because of its unique focus.
“We’ve got Vacation Bible School, which focuses on Jesus, but what’s missing in it is what is offered through Totus Tuus,” Biedrzycki said. “We’re talking about our Blessed Mother, and we’re having the Eucharist every day.”
The team arrived the week of June 15 and began engaging with participants right away by making a covenant with each other.
“We tell the kids that a covenant is a promise that God makes with us and that we make with God. So, we all make a covenant with each other to give 110 percent of ourselves throughout the week,” Timm said.
The symbol of their covenant was strings tied around each person’s wrist, and if lost, a silly dance was needed to get the strings back.
Milbrath, who returned for his second year with Totus Tuus, shared that every year focuses on different Mysteries of the Rosary. Last year was the Glorious Mysteries, and this year, the Joyful Mysteries, with one mystery featured each day.
On Wednesday, team members wore Santa hats to discuss the Nativity.
Children also built a paper Rosary on a wall, adding a bead and praying a “Hail Mary” each time.
Milbrath explained this year has had its challenges and blessings because instead of one big team, there are two smaller teams.
“There’s a lot to do and manage, but it is just a huge blessing,” Milbrath said. “Working with kids and bringing them closer to Christ is one of the most rewarding acts of service that you can do.”
In teaching the sacraments, Milbrath used an unconsecrated host to explain what happens during the consecration, and he mentioned sharing unique examples of Christ working through sacraments, such as St. Paul raising Eutychus from the dead.
For Timm, it is her first year as a Totus Tuus leader. She shared that there is pressure in teaching kids, but finds comfort in knowing she is just “one little stepping stone” on their path to holiness.
“We share stories of female saints and role models in the church, too,” Timm said. “For example, we use St. Joan of Arc and emphasize her strength, focusing on how there are so many ways to be a powerful woman of the Lord.”
Sullivan stressed that it’s not just about teaching doctrine but showing youth what it looks like to live out the Faith. He said the games and activities blend together to create evangelization efforts.
“At the end of the week, we have a water balloon fight, and before that, kids line up behind a leader of their choice, and whoever has the most [kids behind them] gets shaving creamed,” Sullivan said.
Biedrzycki said the program gives her hope.
“‘Totus Tuus’ is St. John Paul II’s great line, and we give ourselves to Our Lady because through her we go to Jesus,” Biedrzycki said. “And, when I see these young leaders coming in here and doing what they’re doing at the level of intensity and love that they’re doing it with, there is hope. They are going to be the beacons that bring light into our world.”
She added, “Watching these children, it just makes you want to cry because you see this love of faith coming together with these efforts, and that’s just beautiful.”