MERRILLVILLE – Their title has changed from “teachers” to “missionaries” and their number has doubled from four to eight, but the goal of the Totus Tuus team from the Diocese of Gary remains the same after seven years – handing down the Catholic faith to the youth of Northwest Indiana.
“The content of the program is really strong – it’s based on the catechism and scriptures – and there is a six-year rotation in the materials,” explained Sean Martin, diocesan director of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life. “This is the first year of the rotation, so the topic is ‘Salvation History.’”
In 2016, Totus Tuus was introduced to the Diocese of Gary with one team of four college-age teachers that hosted week-long programs in four parishes for youth in elementary, middle and high school. By 2019, two teams were visiting 11 local parishes (and another parish downstate).
While the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 season, Totus Tuus has been back stronger than ever since 2021, and the missionary teams continue to draw members from throughout the U.S.
“It seems like the term ‘missionary’ leads young people to want to leave their home diocese for an adventure, so we are drawing our missionaries from different states in most cases, along with having two of our seminarians join the teams each summer, while some of our local students are going to other dioceses to teach Totus Tuus,” said Martin.
“These missionaries have a zeal for the faith and are willing to teach it, so the faith of the children grows through their passion,” he added. “They go to the parishes and bring some excitement that isn’t always there. That’s refreshing even for some adults to see and be around, so it feeds their faith, too, when they see that the kids are excited about Jesus and the scriptures.”
Just because it concentrates on catechesis doesn’t mean Totus Tuus leaves out the fun. In addition to four daily, 25-minute classes on scripture and the major covenants, the younger participants have daily Mass before lunch, recite the Rosary, and have opportunities for confession daily. “But there are also lots of silly songs, skits and games sprinkled throughout each day, and Friday afternoons break for Water Day, which includes all kinds of fun with water,” said Martin.
The teen group offers two sessions a night, separate for middle and high school ages, and they review scripture, share the Night Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours and on Tuesday, share a Holy Hour and an opportunity for confession. “Friday is Fun Night, with the parish and Totus Tuus team working together to offer an activity that may range from a bonfire at the parish to a bowling night,” added Martin.
After 10 days of training that ends June 10, this summer’s teams will begin their ministry June 10-16 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Hammond and Nativity of Our Savior in Portage, with sessions from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for youths in grades 7-12, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday for those entering grades 1-6.
Families can sign up with the parish of their choosing while space allows. There is a cost, but Martin noted that some parishes absorb all or part of the fee.
This year’s missionary teams include:
Gianni DiTola – He grew up the oldest of four siblings raised in St. John, and attended St. John the Evangelist School, Lake Central High School and one year of mathematics studies at Purdue University before entering seminary in 2022 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn. “My family enjoys camping and exploring on vacations, and we love playing card games,” he said.
Hope Graham – A student at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, she hails from the Philadelphia area. Coming from a Protestant upbringing, she was brought fully into the Catholic Church three years ago. “God has blessed me immensely and my passion is especially (focused) on sharing Christ’s spousal love for us,” she said.
Jose Guzman Martinez – Known as Pancho, he is a junior Social Work major at Franciscan University who hails from Austin, Texas. He enjoys movies, books, nature and spending time with friends. “Prior to the 2022-23 school year, I served three years in various missions and camps throughout the U.S. and Austria, including NET Ministries,” he noted.
Linnea Loughran – The second oldest of six children from upstate New York, she attends Franciscan University and wants everyone to know that she “loves chocolate milk and is absolutely terrified of frogs. I grew up very involved in my parish and have dedicated a large part of my life to spreading the faith in whatever way I can,” she said.
Nick Malesh – A lifelong parishioner of St. John the Evangelist, he is from Dyer and is studying Management at Indiana University in Bloomington. “I am a third degree member of the IU Council of the Knights of Columbus and a member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity,” he added.
Leo Marcotte – Having recently completed his first year at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minn., he counts St. Mary in Crown Point as his home parish. He was homeschooled and has two sisters, one older and one younger.
Theresa Ryan – A rising sophomore at Franciscan University, where she is studying Theology, she “is really looking forward to being in the Diocese of Gary this summer.” She enjoys reading, playing soccer and fishing, which she learned to do while growing up near Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.
Jennifer Villarreal – She graduated in May from Franciscan University as a Theology major, having “lived 22 joyful years with my loving family” in Los Angeles, Calif. “I have a bright fire in my heart fueled by love for Our Blessed Mother,” she added.
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Diocese of Gary
2023 TOTUS TUUS SCHEDULE
Week 1 – June 10-16 – Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Hammond
Nativity of Our Savior, Portage
Week 2 – June 17-23 – St. John the Evangelist, St. John
Queen of All Saints, Michigan City
Week 3 – June 24-30 – St. Helen, Hebron
Our Lady of Consolation, Merrillville
BREAK – July 1-7
Week 4 – July 8-14 – St. John Kanty, Rolling Prairie
St. James the Less, Highland
Week 5 – July 15-21 – St. Joan of Arc, Indianapolis
St. Gabriel, Connersville
Week 6 – July 22-28 – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Valparaiso
St. Paul. Valparaiso
To register, call the parish office where you would like your child(ren) to attend.