Saint Mary’s Press sends Bible bus on national tour
About this article
The article from the Winona Post is about the Breakthrough! Bible Bus Tour, which occurred when Breakthrough! was first release in March 2006.
With over one million copies already sold, The Catholic Youth Bible, originally printed in 1999, is the most successful publication in the history of Saint Mary's Press (SMP).
For now.
Earlier this month, SMP introduced a revolutionary new Bible for adolescents which, officials say, is on pace for even greater success than its predecessor.
Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics is, according to SMP President John Vitek, "the first Bible ever created for students between the ages of ten and thirteen."
The new Bible has many features which appeal to young readers, including a unique style of "anime" illustration, a popular design concept inspired by Japanese films and comics. The Bible also takes a character-driven approach to both Old and New Testament stories, acquainting young readers with Adam, Moses, Miriam, Mary Magdalene and others through faux interviews and stylized retellings of Bible stories.
Brian Singer-Towns, who previously edited The Catholic Youth Bible, also edited the new Bible, using the Good News translation. "We try to create not just a Bible but a whole experience," said Vitek. "We want to attract young people to open the book so the good news can become a part of their heart."
Starting [April 1, 2006], SMP employees will be conducting three nationwide bus tours to promote the Bible, which has sold 5,000 copies in less than a month of publication. The first tour, scheduled to run from April 1 to April 7, opens with a public launch celebration in Los Angeles, California. Then, the so-called "Breakthrough Bus" will travel to major metropolises throughout the country (including Phoenix, Dallas, Memphis, Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis and many more) before returning to Winona for a homecoming celebration on April 26.
At each of the bus's stops, SMP employees will act out the roles of Bible characters as part of an interactive experience for young people.
"We're giving students the opportunity to experience the lives of biblical characters through their own eyes," said Beverly DeGeorge, SMP vice-president for publishing.
The "biblical characters" will set up and people "Breakthrough Village," an interactive town of educational opportunities.
The students can visit four separate canopies in Breakthrough Village, experiencing biblical music, foods, textiles and jobs alternately. Throughout the presentation, SMP employees performing as biblical characters will be available for questions and interviews.
"The whole idea of the bus tour is to make the Bible engaging for young people," said Vitek. "If you can engage their minds, sight, taste and touch, you can engage their hearts."
"It's not enough just to publish a Bible. Our goal is to transform the hearts of these kids. That's why we're doing the whole thing."
Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics is currently available for purchase at Saint Mary's Press. Interested parties can learn more about the Bible and view sample pages at: http://www.smp.org/breakthrough.
For now.
Earlier this month, SMP introduced a revolutionary new Bible for adolescents which, officials say, is on pace for even greater success than its predecessor.
Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics is, according to SMP President John Vitek, "the first Bible ever created for students between the ages of ten and thirteen."
The new Bible has many features which appeal to young readers, including a unique style of "anime" illustration, a popular design concept inspired by Japanese films and comics. The Bible also takes a character-driven approach to both Old and New Testament stories, acquainting young readers with Adam, Moses, Miriam, Mary Magdalene and others through faux interviews and stylized retellings of Bible stories.
Brian Singer-Towns, who previously edited The Catholic Youth Bible, also edited the new Bible, using the Good News translation. "We try to create not just a Bible but a whole experience," said Vitek. "We want to attract young people to open the book so the good news can become a part of their heart."
Starting [April 1, 2006], SMP employees will be conducting three nationwide bus tours to promote the Bible, which has sold 5,000 copies in less than a month of publication. The first tour, scheduled to run from April 1 to April 7, opens with a public launch celebration in Los Angeles, California. Then, the so-called "Breakthrough Bus" will travel to major metropolises throughout the country (including Phoenix, Dallas, Memphis, Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis and many more) before returning to Winona for a homecoming celebration on April 26.
At each of the bus's stops, SMP employees will act out the roles of Bible characters as part of an interactive experience for young people.
"We're giving students the opportunity to experience the lives of biblical characters through their own eyes," said Beverly DeGeorge, SMP vice-president for publishing.
The "biblical characters" will set up and people "Breakthrough Village," an interactive town of educational opportunities.
The students can visit four separate canopies in Breakthrough Village, experiencing biblical music, foods, textiles and jobs alternately. Throughout the presentation, SMP employees performing as biblical characters will be available for questions and interviews.
"The whole idea of the bus tour is to make the Bible engaging for young people," said Vitek. "If you can engage their minds, sight, taste and touch, you can engage their hearts."
"It's not enough just to publish a Bible. Our goal is to transform the hearts of these kids. That's why we're doing the whole thing."
Breakthrough! The Bible for Young Catholics is currently available for purchase at Saint Mary's Press. Interested parties can learn more about the Bible and view sample pages at: http://www.smp.org/breakthrough.
Acknowledgments
This article was originally published in the Winona Post newspaper. To find out more about the Winona Post, visit their home page at http://www.winonapost.com.Published April 2, 2006.
