SPRINGFIELD GARDENS — As the faith formation director at Christ the King Church, Robbin Johnson always has fresh ideas on how to engage her students, such as the carnival she organized last month to welcome students back from summer vacation.

In keeping with her goal of thinking outside the box, she organized a special celebration for October … outside the church. 

Johnson established an hour of prayer during the Month of the Holy Rosary for children to pray at stations set up around church grounds.

“If you want to teach children, you have to reach children. You have to open their hearts as well as their brains,” said Johnson, a retired public school principal who has been the faith formation director for seven years.

Theresa Thomas, who has more than three decades of experience as a catechist at Christ the King, said the outdoor hour of prayer gives the kids “a chance to connect with nature as they connect with their spirituality.”

On Sunday, Oct. 6, dozens of children and their catechists gathered in the grotto next to the rectory for the hour of prayer. Under sunny skies, they started with the first Glorious Mystery — the Resurrection of Jesus — and began reciting the decade of Hail Marys. 

The kids then moved to different areas to continue with the other Glorious Mysteries — the Ascension of Jesus, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, and the Assumption of Mary. For the Fifth Glorious Mystery, the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven, the group settled on the front lawn by a statue of Christ the King.

As the kids moved around the church, volunteers carried a statue of the Blessed Mother and placed it on a small table at each station.

Tiffany Uwaechie, a seventh grader preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation, said she was looking forward to the opportunity to pray outdoors. 

“Praying outdoors will make Mary seem more real to me,” said Tiffany, who will be confirmed in 2026.

Liam Thomas, a seventh grader and altar server, is also preparing for a 2026 confirmation. The outdoor rosary appealed to him. 

“I like that we’re moving around,” Liam said.

Six catechists instruct 60 children in Christ the King Church’s faith formation program, which ranges from first to eighth grade.

Jordan Gibbs, 15, received Confirmation two years ago but continues to be a part of the program, volunteering her time. She was there on Sunday, carrying a bagful of rosary beads in case any students needed them.

She loved the idea of reciting the rosary in the sunshine. 

“I think it’s fun, and I think the kids will get a lot out of it,” Jordan said.

Johnson, who served as a catechist for 30 years before becoming faith formation director, also invited parents to participate in the hour of prayer.

“We want parents to be fully involved in our program,” Johnson noted. “They have to be partners with us in the faith formation of their children.”