"Working at Saint John’s was one of the most joy-filled and fun summers I’ve had. In addition to experiencing the wonderful and fun community, I discovered a newfound joy in living my Catholic faith. The beauty of committing to daily prayer and the sacraments came alive for me that summer. I am regularly reminded that my time at St John’s comprised some of the formative months of my life so far and I will always be grateful for the experience.” 

                                                                     Veronica Lang (2021)

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"Summer Program is an experience that changed my life. As a high school student without much interest in the Faith, I found new meaning through Mass, Adoration, and through giving my time to take care of kids. Summer program is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, and no one I know finished the summer as the same person. Everyone, from ages 4 to 22, had their faith strengthened by participating in this great program."

                                             Deacon Joe Heisey (2012, '13, '14)

 

"In today's society, a high school/college young adult would not think it possible to create lasting friendships with those whom are firmly grounded in their faith. With the summer program I was able to do just that. Working at SJSP has been one of the best decisions of my life, my peers challenged me to learn my faith and keep Christ constantly at the center. I have seen my prayer life grow immensely, developing a love for the sacrament of confession and Holy Eucharist With this foundation, I found a new home. A new home in my faith, and at St. John's. The comforting atmosphere gave us the opportunity to spend time on our knees in prayer as a camp community, instead of caving into worldly temptations. The togetherness, friendships and family aspect of the program is one that will remain with me far beyond my years at the camp. I would recommend launching this program countrywide to any parish, because the fruits of the camp not only impact the children whom we are mentoring, but the parish, clergy, administrators, and most importantly the counselors."

                    - Steph (Dameron) Bolin (2011, '12, '13, '14, 15)

 

"Before working at St. John's, I had totally fallen away from my Catholic faith. To this day I can't say why I accepted the offer to work at the Summer program, but I can say that God will never be outdone in generosity. The 8 weeks I worked there brought me firmly back into the Catholic faith. I was surrounded by friends who truly cared about me and my spiritual health, excellent sources of theology, and supreme models of Catholic virtue. The Summer Program brought me back to God, and gave me a spark of faith that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

                                                       - James Kachman (2013, '14)

 

"In my years at Summer Program, I have grown immensely on both a spiritual level and a personal level. I've gained the confidence and leadership skills that come from teaching in a classroom and directing camp-wide projects. More importantly, however, I have come to experience the joy of living a life centered on Christ, dedicated to evangelization, and fueled by prayer. It has been a huge blessing in my life!"

             - Maryrose Depperschmidt (2011, '12, '13, '14, '15)

 

"When I was first approached about working at St. John's Summer Program I fell in love with the idea of helping these children, I would have never guessed how much this program would change my life. Spending my days helping others, learning about my faith, and going to Daily Mass and Adoration truly helped me to grow and become the person I am today. I now have an even stronger relationship with God, and am able to, with God's help, work on becoming the best version of myself in order to help others be led to God."

                                                      - Elise Carney (2013, '14, '15)

 

"The Catholic Summer Program at St. John's Francis Regis has been an amazing experience. It was great getting to work with all the kids, and trying to make it an excellent experience for them. However, I found my greatest rewards from the program in the spiritual life. With the strong combination of daily mass, daily adoration, and a great community, I quite believe that I did reach new spiritual high points in my life as I never had before. These were not just the kind of emotional feeling moments one might get, great as they are, but more importantly, times of gaining in obedience to the will of God, and of developing a stronger love of him."

                                                   - Fr. Kyle Vance (2013, '14, '16)

 

"Outside of Mass, I've never seen God so present in a place like Summer Program. Having such a strong community of people all oriented towards Christ has this way of changing people like nothing else. The friendships you form and the relationship you develop with God take you further into your faith than you realize is possible. Summer Program teaches you what it means to be Catholic as you learn to surrender your life to God. It's experiences like these where you encounter God and then move on to change the world without even realizing it. The love you experience becomes something you desire to share with everyone, everywhere."

                                                      - Emily Bailey (2013, '14, '15)

 

 

"I cannot completely express the goodness and holiness that is St. John’s Summer Program (SJSP). Grace simply overflows in the campers, counselors and families that take part in SJSP. I have had the honor to serve as an administrator and Assistant Director at SJSP. These positions have allowed me to see the beautiful relationships that form over the summer between both campers and counselors. The best part of these relationships is that they are completely based in the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ. My favorite parts of the day at SJSP were sitting in the pews at St. John’s and witnessing to the multitude of children that sat with their counselors during Mass or Eucharistic Adoration and learned how to spend time with God in the process. These times made me realize the family and Body of Christ that exists and continues to flourish at St. John’s, because of the simple faith and joy that children possess.

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            Looking back on my experiences at St. John’s, there is no limit to the graces that exist in this Body of Christ. Relationships amongst campers, between counselor and camper, counselor and family, and amongst counselors themselves—are all rooted in Christ’s love. These relationships go beyond the standard secular understanding of friendship that have a foreseeable end in the future—and reach into the timeless and unconditional love of God. When I was down, a camper tugging my hand so that she could go to confession and speak to Fr. Ray (on the daily) never failed to bring me hope and consolation. The faith of others at SJSP, of campers and counselors and families, has increased my own faith and nourished it each summer I worked at SJSP. I can very honestly say that SJSP is the only reason I am a practicing Catholic youth today, and the reason I firmly intend and truly hope to remain a practicing Catholic and child of God for the rest of my life.

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            Similarly, as an involved member in the Catholic community of St. Mary’s County, I can see the fruits of SJSP in the youth population in St. Mary’s as a whole. Connections between youth ages 4-25 in St. Mary’s provide an incredible positive influence and extensive support network for all that take part. It’s incredible to me that so many youth have been connected through SJSP and with such strong affection and singular, unified desire for holiness."

                                           - Lizzie Schachterle (2013, '14, '15)

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