NEWARK — Marilyn Kravatz-Toolan was saddened four years ago when her twin grandchildren, Justin and Sage, then in the third grade, described religion class as confusing and boring.
Then, Sage said, “Grandma, why don’t you teach us?”
The question planted a seed in her grandmother’s mind, which soon took root.
Kravatz-Toolan is a professor of family faith formation research who has lectured at Felician University in Lodi, New Jersey. She also served on the synod committee of her parish, the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, and the Lifelong Faith Formation Advisory Committee for the Archdiocese of Newark.
But during listening sessions for the synod, Kravatz-Toolan learned she was not alone in her concerns.
“In session after session, it was grandparents expressing concern about what was going to happen to their grandchildren in terms of faith formation,” she said.
Kravatz-Toolan researched further and learned that Catholic grandparents throughout the United States share similar concerns. She shared these findings with the faith formation advisory committee appointed by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark.
“I was telling them that this is really an issue in the Church, not just here,” Kravatz-Toolan said. “It’s all over, and I think the Church really has to deal with it.”
Next, she wrote a report, asserting that parents must carry the primary responsibility of faith formation.
However, because parents are often overwhelmed, grandparents can be key allies. They have the time and desire to cut through all the distractions children face, like technology and social media, to share the Gospel, Kravatz-Toolan said.
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To that end, Kravatz-Toolan worked with her friend, Catzel LaVecchia, director of lifelong learning at Church of the Presentation, to develop a summer program for families.
This first-ever “Grand Camp,” held from Aug. 12-14 at the Church of the Presentation, was like a traditional vacation bible school. It differed, however, in that the campers included elementary school kids and grandparents — about 50 people. Some of the grandparents traveled to the camp from out of state.
Together, they learned about their God through games, songs, and arts and crafts.
Family bonds were nurtured and strengthened over the three days, Kravatz-Toolan said.
“This camp was a novel way to bring grandparents and grandchildren closer while infusing faith into their relationship,” she added. “And that’s important because faith is based on relationships.”
Grandparents as catechists received the endorsement of Pope Francis, who in 2024 declared the last Sunday in July is “World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.”
Indeed, scripture also says, “In old age they will still bear fruit (Psalm 92:15).”
LaVecchia said planning for the camp started in February. Father Bob Stagg, then-pastor at Church of the Presentation, who retired in July, signed off on the idea.
His successor, Father Anthony Randazzo, celebrated Mass for the campers each morning before the start of activities.
“Some had both grandparents here,” LaVecchia said. “Some had one. So, it was a nice size for our first time doing it.”
Mary Tasman of Emerson, a retired schoolteacher, attended with her granddaughter, Kayleigh, who is 9. Tasman, who taught for 40 years, recalled the first day of camp when grandchildren were asked to describe God with drawings.
“Kayleigh’s picture was of a person, but in the center of the body was a huge heart,” Tasman said. “That was a beautiful thing for me to see that she’s understanding we have an incredible Lord who is there for us with so much love.
“And now we want to give that love out to the rest of the community and our families.”
Kayleigh said she enjoyed the camp’s nature exploration. Using a magnifying glass, she peered at God’s creation in the forms of lantern flies and trees.
But her favorite part was the arts and crafts, especially how she and her grandmother made their own prayer boxes. Kayleigh was delighted that Mary listed all her grandchildren on her box.
“My name is the biggest because I’m the only girl,” Kayleigh exclaimed.
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Nancy Mierswa of Bergen County attended with her 6-year-old grandson, Kieran, who struggled to envision God’s face. She said the teacher asked what Kieran thought when thinking about God.
He responded, “Jesus,” so he drew a picture of God the Son, Mierswa said. “And that was the start of our great camp.”
The last moments of the camp were very emotional, Tasman and Mierswa said, because the children were asked to place their hands on their grandparents’ heads and to bless them in church.
“That was a major surprise,” Tasman said. “Kayleigh did it right away, and she saw the tears in my eyes because it was an unbelievable, very moving moment.”
Mierswa said she and another grandmother were “bookends” in a pew, with Kieran and the other woman’s grandson between them.
The boys placed their hands on their grandmothers’ shoulders, but they clasped together their free hands in friendship, Mierswa said.
“And that,” she added, “was the most touching moment of the whole thing for me.”
Kravatz-Toolan and LaVecchia hope Grand Camp will catch on throughout the U.S.
MORE INFO
For information, email Marilyn Kravatz-Toolan at: dr.mkt521@gmail.com.