Eucharistic Congress: Kid’s program

“Just follow the noise and you’ll know where we are!” explained Michelle Rivard to parents as they checked-in their school-aged children for an afternoon of catechesis and fun during the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress in Marquette. According to Rivard, coordinator of the Kid’s Program for the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, roughly 150 children were registered for the program on Saturday, June 10, held in the Physical Education Instructional Facility (PEIF) attached to the Superior Dome in Marquette. Each child who participated was provided with a souvenir water bottle and tote bag.

The afternoon events started off with a rousing game of “Duck, Duck Goose,” followed by classic Totus Tuus interactive songs and dances. Led by Totus Tuus missionaries and volunteer young adults and teens from the Diocese of Marquette, participating children engaged in an afternoon of entertainment and education about the Eucharist, with rotating, age-appropriate stations that included crafts, games, and skits put on by this year’s Totus Tuus missionaries: Olivia Copeman, Erin Linderoth, Charlie Tackman, Grace Murray, Margaret Mary Howard, Leo Sauter, Ethan Miller, Naseem Ahmad, Jessica Ruffins, Simon Swager, Mary Sacha, Zack Vandermissen, and Jessica Paling. The children also had an opportunity for Eucharistic adoration in an upper room of the PEIF, led by Father Ben Rivard.

Also included in the Eucharistic Congress weekend’s youth events was a Teen Program, where middle and high school students from around the diocese were brought to the Zryd Parish Hall at St. Michael Parish, Marquette for a time of conversation, fellowship, and listening to talks about the importance of the Eucharist, led by parish leaders from across the diocese.

Father Ben Hasse, director of Totus Tuus for the Diocese of Marquette and pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish, Houghton, shared his excitement at the success of the youth events during the Congress: “Not only is it wonderful to see so many children learning about the Eucharist and having fun, but it’s even better to see them being taught by our teens and young adults!”

To find out if Totus Tuus is coming to a parish near you this summer, or to learn more about the program, visit mtucatholic.org/totustuus.

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