Totally Yours
Looking through the lens of Totus Tuus
Looking through the lens of Totus Tuus
The Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama’s Office of Catechesis & Christian Initiation is one of the offices supported by the Diocesan Annual Appeal for Ministries, also known as Catholic Charities. For years, the office, with financial assistance from the appeal, has been able to provide the Totus Tuus program throughout the diocese. The program is a summer, Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and eucharistic worship. The week-long program is meant to supplement what parents and parishes provide.
The Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama’s Office of Catechesis & Christian Initiation is one of the offices supported by the Diocesan Annual Appeal for Ministries, also known as Catholic Charities. For years, the office, with financial assistance from the appeal, has been able to provide the Totus Tuus program throughout the diocese. The program is a summer, Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and eucharistic worship. The week-long program is meant to supplement what parents and parishes provide.
This summer, the office, once again, held the Totus Tuus program in the diocese at seven parishes: Chapel of the Holy Cross in Albertville, Good Shepherd in Huntsville, Holy Spirit in Tuscaloosa, Our Lady of the Valley in Fort Payne, St. Joseph in Florence, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Gardendale, and St. John the Apostle in Alexander City. At the conclusion of the summer, almost 500 youth participants, who ranged across grades 1-12, and 131 volunteers had been involved, making the summer a success.
The success, however, would not have been a reality without this year’s team of missionaries. Each of the four missionaries worked seven days each week, planning lessons and activities for their specific age groups and working directly with the youth. The missionaries focused on the sacraments and the joyful mysteries of the Rosary, while incorporating Mass, adoration, and reconciliation into each day.
At the end of one week, a parish representative noted, “There was a Christ-centered, joyful spirit throughout the week.” Summers can often be stressful for parents when trying to find faith-filled activities for their children, so the Totus Tuus program offers families an opportunity to experience their faith in a deeper and different way. After all, what better way to show the love of Christ than through devoting oneself to Christ: Totally Yours?
Starting this November, parishes interested in hosting the youth program are invited to sign up by contacting the Office of Catechesis & Christian Initiation. For additional information, please contact Jane Baldwin at jbaldwin@bhmdiocese.org.
Call for help
Missionaries needed
In preparation for each summer, faith-filled, servant-minded young adults interested in being missionaries are interviewed in November. Those hired as missionaries are provided training and resources. Once the program begins, missionaries are expected to stay with host families at each participating parish from the end of May through July. If interested in becoming a part of this special program, please contact the Office of Catechesis & Christian Initiation at jabldwin@bhmdiocese.org.
Jane Baldwin is the Diocesan Director of Catechesis & Christian Initiation. She came to Alabama last December and has oriented herself to her role supporting those who provide catechesis and support.
