For the fifth consecutive year the Dominican Sisters from St. Cecelia’s Congregation in Nashville, Tenn., will return to Greenville to lead Vacation Bible School efforts at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

Sister Anna Joseph and Sister Jacinta will help to host Vacation Bible School (VBS) at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church (SECC) June 22–26 from 9 a.m. to noon.

In the summer of 2011, under the leadership of Father Antony Xavier, the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church congregation made an appeal for the sisters to come to Greenville and create this Vacation Bible School model.  That year the children learned how to serve on the altar, created wall-sized art murals, enacted a short play, and even enjoyed guitar lessons.  The 2012 theme was “My Path to Heaven.” The 2013 theme was “Follow Me to Heaven” and 2014’s theme was “Living Waters.”

VBS is rich in teaching, adoration, music, art and recreation.  The week ends with a cookout farm party topped off by an old fashion tractor-drawn hayride. There are typically just less than 50 children who attend every year.

“We have children coming from up to 50 miles away because of the quality of the program offered by the sisters,” said Teresa Cascio, Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL) at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. “Having the sisters travel to Greenville each year is such a blessing and is unique to our region of the state.  During the week, being with the sisters and our children is like walking in the Garden of Eden as we watch our children blossom and grow in spiritual matters of faith.  Our doors are open to anyone who has a child from the 1st – 12th grade to participate with us.  We encourage parents interested in their children enjoying a spirit and love filled week to contact us at 334-382-5178.  There is a modest cover charge of $10.00 for applicants.”

Education is the primary focus of the St. Cecelia Dominican Sisters and their first chapter was formed in 1860.  In Tennessee, it began with the arrival of the first four sisters in Nashville and their early work was the establishment of St. Cecilia Academy. The sisters provide the academic infrastructure, administration and student instruction all over the world.  Currently the average age of the sisters is 28.

“After much prayer we have decided to return to St. Elizabeth’s with another Vacation Bible School program. Our hearts overflow with excitement and joy to spend a week with these precious children created by Almighty God. We always return to Nashville with a heart-felt gratitude for being a small part of the lives of God’s little angels,” stated Sister Anna Joseph.

The daily lives of these sisters are filled with prayer, work, silence and students. The sisters seek a balanced day devoted to furthering the Kingdom of God within themselves and throughout the world.