Tipton St. Andrew Parish youth give their all during Totus Tuus summer experience

It allows students to see young, authentic Catholic adults who live out their faith daily. They shared testimonies of their faith with the youth to show them that we all struggle but it is our faith that keeps us strong and on the right path.”

Carla Knipp, a volunteer coordinator and youth leader at St. Andrew Parish in Tipton

The one-week summer program Totus Tuus at St. Andrew Parish in Tipton finished July 11, with a water fight on the lawn of the parish rectory, pitting friends against friends who launched water-soaked sponges at each other.

“Totus Tuus” is Latin for “totally yours,” the papal motto of Pope St. John Paul II. The phrase expresses a total dedication and consecration to Jesus Christ through Mary, the Mother of God.

The summer youth program shares the Gospel and promotes the Catholic faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness and eucharistic worship. Participants began their days with Mass each morning, Tuesday through Friday.

“This diocesan program is a great program for our elementary students and youth,” said parish volunteer coordinator and youth leader Carla Knipp. “It allows students to see young, authentic Catholic adults who live out their faith daily. They shared testimonies of their faith with the youth to show them that we all struggle but it is our faith that keeps us strong and on the right path.”

Ten to 14 teens attended the evening sessions Sunday through Thursday and 48 to 52 first- through sixth-graders took part in the daily sessions Monday through Friday.

The students were taught by trained college students and seminarians who introduced themselves in a short biography published in the parish bulletin:

• Christin Newton from Knox City will be a junior at Truman State University, where she is studying exercise science.
• Bryce Allen Smith from St. Clement parish in St. Clement is a seminarian for the diocese.
• Ryan Huhlein is from Huntsville, Alabama, and has just finished his first year at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, studying theology.
• Clara Lackman is from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in St. Thomas. She attends the University of Central Missouri.

The local program was also facilitated by several parish volunteers who provided housing for the team leaders, breakfast, lunch and suppers, snacks for the participating youth and help in the cafeteria for meals.

Monetary donations also helped make the week successful.

This article was originally published in the Tipton Times newspaper (tiptontimes.com) and is republished here with permission.