GOOD NEWS BIBLE CAMPS FOR LOWELL KIDS

Many children in the neighborhood of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Lowell, MA, enjoyed the Good News Bible Camp held across the street from this Oblate parish.  The camp preceded the patronal festival in July. 

Each day of the week prior the camp, Oblate Associates Sue Murphy, Mark Wood, Alice Harrington, Rita Deslauriers and the Coughlan family visited the 500+ North Common and Moody Street homes with Oblate Fr. Norman Parent, Matt Finn, and Oblate scholastics, Brothers Juan Ayala and Fernando Velazquez.  Eighty-seven children registered.

“Where Kids’ Star in God’s story” began each morning with breakfast and concluded with lunch provided by Associates Maggie Sheehan, Dick and Cecile Fortier, Kay Wood and the Summer Feeding Program.  Children sang and moved to songs led by teenage volunteers, Kristen and Kelly Coughlan.

Opening sessions about God’s love, protection salvation and friendship were led by Bro. Juan, Matt, Fr. Roger Lamoureux, Fr. Norm, Fr. Diego Taggart, and Suzanne Beebe.  This good news was reinforced with games, crafts, skits and gardening led by Associates Ann Marie Roy, Sue Murphy, Mary Teague, Mary Croke, Katherine McCarthy, Esther Allen, Cikwanine Muderwa, Cindy Cisowski, Erin and Luke Coughlan, and other generous volunteers.  Fr. Lucien Sawyer photographed the joy and community that all shared as church.

It was clear that all had fun when even the torrential downpours on the last day did not keep campers away.

The campers concluded the joyous week with a prayer service of song, veneration of the Oblate cross, and presentation of a cross and bible.