Testimonies
K4J Testimonies
Humbly, and with gratitude to God for inspiring K4J, we share with you powerful testimonies from pastors, teachers, parents, and religious education directors who were generous to share their expereince of our programs. We could not put all the testimonies online, but these give you a sneak peek into K4J.
Our Pastor Loves K4J!
“We invited our priest to visit our K4J Club. He came and stayed for the entire meeting. He was amazed to see the kids learning about the faith while having so much fun. He asked the kids if they liked being there and if they would be coming back. All answered with an enthusiastic YES and big smiles. He wants K4J ordered every year.”
Lisa from Canada
Thank You for This Program
“Thank you for this program. I know personally it is a big help to me in trying to form my children. I think kids in general need this desperately to combat the messages they get in our culture. The more families we can touch, the better!”
Missy from Loveland, Ohio
Youth Ministry Loves K4J
My wife and I are the coordinators of the St. Robert Bellarmine Youth Group in Johnston RI. We work with children in Pre-K to Grade 4. This year was our first year that we began a rebuilding process by starting with the younger students and working our way up. In past years I had to create the curriculum, plan out the events, purchase all of the supplies, and then when all of that was completed then I had to run the event. It was tiresome putting all those pieces into place. I was always running out of ideas and time! But, through the grace of God, someone close to us shared the K4J program with us and put us in contact with you. Thank God for that!
The K4J program is one that all kids and parents love. It is designed with our children in mind and gives practical and applicable activities to help our children grow in the love of the Lord. It takes the guesswork our of planning and provides tremendous resources to us, as youth ministers. This allows us to implement "Grace-Filled" activities that nourish and promote a culture of life and love. We would highly recommend this program to any parish that is looking to build up the people (children) of God. Thanks to you and your team of people, especially Kathleen, for all that hard work and dedication you put forth with this program.
Keith Kline --St. Robert Bellarmine Johnston, RI
Parents Are the First Educators
I have been in K4J with my kids for about 3 ½ years and I love it! It has been a great parenting tool and wonderful in trying to build your child’s character at a young age. I know that if I didn’t have access to K4J, I wouldn’t be doing much in the way of faith formation at home…and we can’t just leave it up to our teachers at school!”
Sara from Omaha, Nebraska
I Really Love This Program
“I really love this program. We have been doing pre K4J with my daughter and a group at church. We include a mom portion in which we talk about the virtue and pray for our children. It has been awesome!”
Carrie from Helotes, Texas
Working Moms Say It’s Worth the Time
“I work full time and so it can be difficult to find time for things. K4J is well worth it!” Anna from Coral Gables, FL
From School of Virtue
There are no more discipline problems!
“There are no more discipline problems! All the kids are so nice to each other. I haven’t had a 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grader in my office since we kicked off the program in September. The captains program, having the 5th -8th grade kids perform the monthly virtue skit is a brilliant idea. The kids keep living and modeling the virtue that they taught to the younger children”.
Immaculate Conception, Pittsburgh, PA Principal, Sister Mary John Cook….
Parents are learning too!
St. Thomas More School began using the K4J program in the fall of 2008 and have received enthusiastic responses from both school families and teaching staff. The virtue and “Mission of the Month” idea is great for children at the elementary level as they get the opportunity to immerse themselves in a virtue for 30 days and then look forward to the next month’s virtue. Our upper elementary or middle school level students are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to help develop activities and skits based on the monthly virtue; as these children love to perform; our virtue assemblies have been creative and upbeat. The Mission Songs of the month are top picks from the children when they are asked to pick music for enjoyment. I believe they know most of the words and often sing along with the CD. Further, our school parents have often commented on “what they learned” from the Parents’ Perspective letter—Let the children lead them.
In a world where children are bombarded with “values” that go directly against all that we believe as Catholics, we, the A4J’s (adults 4 Jesus) at St. Thomas More School, can only smile when we see that we now have a program that presents Catholic virtues to our youngsters in a manner that is entertaining to them as well as instructional! Kudos to K4J!
Mrs. Sheila A. Riley, Principal
St. Thomas More School- Pittsburgh, PA
K4J is a Great Supplement to What I Am Teaching
“I love K4J. The kids love it, too. Many of the ideas we learn and implement are, of course, carried on to the next month and so on. I can especially think of the ‘monkey manners’ and ‘you’ve been graced’ missions. I have found K4J to be a great supplement to what I am teaching. They come up with interesting ideas that I wouldn’t have necessarily thought of. I look at it as a helpful tool in reaching our ultimate goal which is heaven.
Teacher in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
"Breathe a Little Life” into the religion curriculum
At St. Teresa’s School in Albany, GA, we have used the K4J materials for two years now and it is the one day of the month that all of our students look forward to the most! We think K4J is a way for our students to experience the joy of following Jesus while learning virtue and the truths of the Catholic Faith. Our older children in grades 5th -8th function as K4J Captains and put on the K4J skit for the whole school. I would encourage other Catholic schools to “breathe a little life” into their religion curriculum by offering the K4J Program for their students.
Mary Lou Gamache, Principal St. Teresa’s School Albany, GA
User Friendly
“It is nice to have a fresh start with this user-friendly virtue program. The kids took right to the K4J program. In the world the children face today, it’s inspiring to see the kids modeling their lives after true role models; the saint of the month. It provides such a positive aide for the children. Peer leadership through the K4J Captains program truly works! School parents are so happy we have this program. I witness daily the 4th graders referring to their virtue lanyards to determine how a situation should be handled. They cannot wait for their monthly assembly! ”
Saint Thomas More, Pittsburgh, PA …
One of the Most Powerful Tools At My Disposal
"Actively developing character and virtue in our students is one of the most essential elements in a complete Catholic educational experience. As one of the most powerful tools at my disposal, the K4J program enables us to help students, teachers, and parents put into action effective strategies to develop character by fostering the virtues. From the kick-off assembly, the mid-month activities, and the materials for the teachers in the classroom, our whole school is united in a common purpose each month – to live out the virtue and have fun doing it. Our students have benefited so much over the years by being able to participate in K4J. Truly, this is a program that helps build a foundation for life, rooted in love for Christ and the attainment of virtue.”
Scott Baier School- Administrator Naples, Florida …
VBS Testimonies
Refreshing
"It would be difficult to exaggerate the good that this children's Program can do. Among its positive aspects, it is Scriptural; it strives to be solidly doctrinal; it emphasizes the Catechism of the Catholic Church; it encourages the Church's missionary apostolate; it recognizes the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints; it is respectful of the ministerial priesthood; it encourages the Church's social justice doctrines; it evidences reverence for the Mass and Eucharistic adoration. In our secularist educational climate, it is a refreshing interlude."
Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, Connecticut about the 2005 K4J Summertime Blast Vacation Bible School Program
No More “Catholic Version”
“Our parish had been doing a Vacation Bible School for five years, normally for over a hundred children, and we've been using programs designed by non-Catholics, with a veneer of a "Catholic version". This year we switched to K4J's VBS and discovered, as we had hoped, a vast difference.
The distinctiveness of our Catholic Faith -- the sacraments, the saints, our Blessed Mother, the gift of authority -- all the richness that the fullness of the Faith offers to children, was made present in creative, fun, and learnable ways – thoroughly centered on Jesus Christ. And the follow-up offered by the entire K4J program is unparalleled."
St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bill Keimig Director of Religious Education
Catholic Faith Comes Alive
“I don’t know why a Catholic would use any other VBS. K4J is so authentically Catholic. At first I was hesitant thinking that the kids wouldn’t like it because it is exactly what the adults want the kids to learn. And was I ever wrong, the kids love it, it is so FUN! K4J has made the Catholic faith come alive in a fun and imaginative way that is understandable to the kids!
Jennifer Kastroll Director K4J VBS Ligonier, Pa
Conversions!
For the past four summers, a little girl has attended our summer K4J Vacation Bible School. Her grandparents often take care of her and bring her to as many Faith Formation classes and K4J Sundays as possible, which isn't very often. Her parents do not practice the Catholic faith and are divorced. She has asked her grandparents if she could be Baptized. I have been working with her to prepare her for the sacraments and one of the worksheets we were on asked the question "Who or what has influenced your decision to desire Baptism?" The little girl looked at me and with a big smile replied, "K4J of course!"
Margo Lewis- Director of Religious Education- Willington, OH
