Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
June 27, 2001
Local kids write book on Catholic heritage
Text on faith traditions to benefit inner city schools
By Eileen Love
On an afternoon in the middle of June the cafeteria at St. Louis School in Englewood was buzzing with activity. Juice boxes were in the hands of most kids, and Doritos, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were being eagerly devoured. The time-honored practice of lunch trading was in full swing — as in, "I'll give you all my grapes for a halfa Twinkie." Teachers were hunkered down in their area, fortifying themselves for the afternoon as they traded information and planned upcoming lessons.
So why weren't these folks lounging by the pool like everyone else in the early stages of summer vacation? Because they're writing a book. The 105 participants, students in grades three through seven, are authors intent on researching, writing and illustrating a book titled "Kids Explore America's Catholic Heritage." The project is called the Young Writer's Workshop.
The book, to be published by Pauline Media and Press in Boston, is slated for distribution winter 2002. "Kids Explore America's Catholic Heritage" is the eighth book in a series written by and for children, the aim of which is to increase children's respect for and understanding of cultures in our society while improving their writing skills at the same time.
The project is the brainchild of a short, blonde dynamo named Judy Cozzens who has spent more than 25 years in the classroom. Exuding enough energy to power a small town in California, this lifelong Catholic and mother of three grown children knows something about forming children in faith — she will proudly tell you her middle son is now a priest in Minnesota.
"I believe we each need to give one gift," Cozzens said, when she took five minutes out of her packed afternoon to talk about the writing project.
As we sat in a humble office at a table piled high with papers and supplies, Cozzens leaned forward, eager to make the point that she sees as central to her work, "Give faith so others will have salvation."
The message is getting out. Children are coming from parishes across the archdiocese and are learning exciting truths about their Catholic faith. One group of Young Writers is putting together a chapter on saints, another is working on miracles, and yet another is exploring liturgy and worship.
Sarah Kelly, 9, a soon to be fifth-grader at Most Precious Blood School in Denver said she liked learning about St. Therese of Lisieux. "She did very small things with a lot of love," Kelly said.
Asked if she was enjoying the project, Kelly was quick to say she loved the idea of creating a book and pointed out that the project was "way more fun than regular school." "The teachers are great," she said. "I've been here for three days so far and I haven't been yelled at once!"
Her new friend, Clare Sobetski, 10, of Normandy Elementary School, agreed. "Everyone is so nice," Sobetski said. "As the week goes on, it just gets better and better."
Pausing in mid-bite to add his two cents to the lunch table talk was 10-year-old Kelly Zimmerman from Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora. As he spoke, he pointed for emphasis with colorfully stained hands. (The morning's activity had him painting holy water jars.)
"I like reading and writing," Zimmerman said. He then added what many teachers dream of hearing: "I don't like watching TV that much."
So what really impressed him? "I liked when the teenagers talked about Christian service," he said. "Going to work camp in New Mexico sounded really cool."
In addition to the 40 professional teachers who are guiding the students through the writing process, teen mentors are invaluable to the effort. They assist in numerous ways from tossing Frisbees at recess to putting kids' scrawled sentences onto computers.
Dan Hogan, 17, a senior at Green Mountain High School who attends Our Lady of Fatima Church, spoke for many of the teens when he answered what excites him about Catholicism: "Tradition ... that's the best word I can think of," he said.
In considering what he liked about the project, Hogan added: "I'm learning so much about the Church's traditions and history. Also, I liked saying the opening prayer and meeting so many new people."
Among the speakers the group heard from during the two-week project, which concludes June 29, was Bishop José Gomez. For his visit, the children prepared a Spanish/English hymn. They also heard from men and women who have experienced miracles. They were busy in the kitchen, too, making things like resurrection bread, a favorite of student Juliann Hopkins. According to this fifth-grader from Light of the World Parish you "take a marshmallow and wrap this dough stuff around it and when you bake it, the marshmallow melts away and all that's left is like this sweet, empty bread thing."
Her seventh-grade sister Colleen clarifies, "It's supposed to remind you of Jesus' empty tomb and it tastes real good too!"
Prayer and the sacraments also were a big part of the project. Students participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and benediction.
But the big focus is writing. Stories, poems, and recipes flowed from the writers' pens while the artists in the group created colorful illustrations to go with them.
Copies of "Kids Explore America's Catholic Heritage" will be available next year. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to Seeds of Hope, which funds inner city Catholic schools.
Liz Healy likes that. She likes the whole project. A 30-year-old teacher from Minnesota working on her master's degree, Healy said that although she's a teacher, "these kids have taught me a lot, they encourage me to be enthusiastic about my faith."
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