Students at St. Mary by the Lake Parish in Racine make and share "Prayer Bears" with students in Sagrada Familia.
As we continue to walk with our sisters and brothers in our sister parish, Sagrada Familia, our local parishes and schools are developing special projects to help parishioners and students connect with their counterparts in the Dominican Republic.
Recently, students at the Racine St. Mary by the Lake Vacation Bible School (nicknamed Avalanche Ranch) had a very special activity. The project is best described by the letter Project Coordinator Lynn Urban sent to the children of Sagrada Familia:
"Dear Children of Sagrada Familia:
This summer our Vacation Bible School students made prayer bears as one of their activities. Each child made two bears-one to keep and one to share. We are sharing the bears with you.
Each child who made a bear will be thinking of the child who receives the bear he or she made. We hope that you enjoy your bear and will think of the child who made it for you and remember Jesus loves you. We are also sending a picture of the Vacation Bible School students and helpers."
The small cloth bears are green or purple, with the word "Jesus" on them in white. On one side, they have a pocket on their chest. Tucked inside that pocket is a small white heart, bearing a sticker that reads "Jesus loves you" in three different languages. See "Prayer Bear" link, above.
The bears will be taken to the Dominican Republic, where we hope to take pictures of the children who receive the bears, so that the Avalanche Ranch students can see with whom they share the bears, and the message of Jesus' love.
09/19/2007
3501 South Lake Drive St. Francis, WI 53235