Though Our Lady of Consolation is a small rural parish, it hosts several popular events throughout the year. The latest of these was its annual Catholic Youth Week, which took place July 13-16. The children were "in awe" as they entered the church hall, which Melissa Thomas and volunteers decorated to create the seashore with underwater scenes, fishnets, fish and shells.
This year highlighted a popular summer theme, "The Sea, the Sand, and the Son." The play on words brought the more than 40 youth attending into the events of many Bible stories. Each story from the Old and New Testaments focused on the significance God placed on water and land, and of course, the son Jesus' use of both in his teachings.
Director of Religious Education Debbie Unterbrink presented the Old Testament story of Jonah and the Whale, using a huge 10-foot whale made by teen volunteer Julie Catter. Caleb Thomas portrayed Jonah. Chelsea Nye presented the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, and concluded with the children walking through the 'parted sea'.
High School volunteer Dylan Thomas told the story of Jesus calling on his apostles to he "Fishers of Men." Other volunteer students acted it out from a life-sized boat built by Dylan Thomas. Teen volunteers, acting as parents, Godparents and the priest as a 'baby' was being baptized, brought Julia Strubhart's presentation on the sacrament of Baptism to life.
Gwen Rudellat, assisted by many parish volunteers, guided the children in making crafts. They enjoyed making shell cross pictures, angel treasure boxes, painted t-shirts and decorative shells.
Under the direction of Goldia Hubert and Catter the children learned to sing several songs. Youth volunteer Sadey Thomas, assisted by other volunteers, taught many "fun" songs with motions. On the last day the children entertained their parents and friends with these songs.
Each day was filled with prayer, games, crafts, stories, songs and–to the delight of all–Kathy Hubert coordinated an abundance of snacks. The parish's new pastor, Father Varghese K. Ethappiri, celebrated Mass.
Catholic Youth Week, the parish's Vacation Bible School, was a great success due to the generous giving of time and resources of so many adult and youth volunteers, Unterbrink said.
"What fun it was, what a joy it was and what a blessing were all the children who attended and all who made it possible," she said.