Grant Impact Story
In anticipation of the parish summer Vacation Bible School (VBS) based on the biblical story of Daniel, Sarah Beaver, Coordinator of Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Peace Parish, planned a pilgrimage for VBS youth leaders. The purpose of the pilgrimage was to better prepare the youth to lead the parish VBS and to provide an opportunity for them to experience a pilgrimage first-hand. The pilgrimage included visiting other churches in the Diocese of Erie and attending the Sight and Sound Theater’s production of “Daniel” in Lancaster, PA. Sarah wrote in her grant application that she hoped the participants would “grow in the understanding that the diocese is bigger than our parish.” On their way east to Lancaster, the young pilgrims planned to visit five parishes in the Diocese of Erie besides their own. This pilgrimage was supported by a grant from the Catholic Foundation.
Sarah shared that “the pilgrimage was a huge success.” Prior to embarking on their journey, the group participated in a bible study based on the book of Daniel. The bible study combined with watching the theater production thoroughly prepared the VBS team to share the story of Daniel in a lively and energetic way for the 80+ attendees. “This came alive through the daily skit based off of the show and through the crafts, games and lessons for the week of VBS.”
On their visits to the five parishes, they met with four priests and one transitional deacon. “The primary lesson we learned was the importance of leaning into the diocese as a whole, and recognizing the gifts of priests and the Catholic community scattered throughout the diocese.” Sarah also shared that, along the journey, the pilgrims were able to be a witness of young people passionate in the faith.
The impact of the pilgrimage extended beyond leading VBS. “Our youth saw the example of Daniel boldly living the faith despite potentially upsetting powerful people, and applied that courage in their ministry,” Sarah shared. Additionally, “some of the boys that attended already are discerning the priesthood. Getting to visit so many parishes throughout the diocese greatly impacted their discernment as they were able to see a side of the diocese they may not have seen before.”
“Thank you so much to the donors at the Catholic Foundation!” Sarah said. “We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring youth on a pilgrimage around the diocese. We were blessed to see a stunning performance of Daniel, at Sight and Sound Theater, and were able to see the witness of Daniel living courageously and can now live that out at OLP!”
Our Lady of Peace Parish was awarded a grant from the Foundation’s Education Endowment to support this pilgrimage. Donations in any amount to this endowment increase the Foundation’s ability to award grants for impactful projects like this throughout northwest Pennsylvania.
“Thank you so much to the donors at the Catholic Foundation! We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to bring youth on a pilgrimage around the diocese.”