HOLY CHILDHOOD SUNDAY CELEBRATED AT KRISTU JYOTI CHURCH, SAMBA

 Report on the Celebration of Holy Childhood Sunday

Date: February 9, 2025 (Sunday)

Venue: Kristu Jyoti Church, Samba

1. Preparation:

The celebration of Holy Childhood Sunday at Kristu Jyoti Church was a well-organized event, thanks to the collaborative efforts of several individuals and groups within the parish.  The preparations began with Fr. S. Joseph, the parish priest, seeking assistance from the parish catechist, John Victor, and the CMC Hospital Community sisters at Diani, particularly Sr. Supriya, the in-charge of the Holy Childhood Association.

The preparations included the following:

Instruction and Role Assignment: The CMC sisters visited the church and gathered children up to grade 7. They instructed them about the significance of Holy Childhood Sunday and selected 16 children to be adorned as various saints. The children were asked to arrive at the church by 8:30 am on Sunday.

Game Planning and Offertory Encouragement: John Victor, the catechist, met with women and youth of the parish on Saturday afternoon to discuss and plan games to be conducted after the Holy Mass. He also met with the children separately to encourage their participation and to bring offertory.

Saint Costume Preparation: On Sunday morning, the sisters and children arrived at 8:30 am and spent the next 90 minutes preparing the saint costumes for the selected children.

Liturgical Preparation:  Preparations were made for the entrance procession, a solemn Bible procession, and the offertory procession.  Readings for the Holy Mass, the introduction to Holy Childhood Sunday, and the Prayers of the Faithful were assigned to children, who were given time to practice.

Refreshments: Arrangements were made for the distribution of samosas and cold drinks after the celebration.

Dance Performance Preparation: Two teenage girls helped the children prepare a special dance performance.

2. Celebration of the Holy Mass:

The Holy Mass commenced with a solemn procession led by Fr. S. Joseph, accompanied by the children dressed as saints carrying flowers.

Introduction: Arush introduced Holy Childhood Sunday, outlined the readings for the Mass, and welcomed the children, priest, sisters, catechist, and the faithful.

Homily: Fr. S. Joseph's homily emphasized that children are not just the future of the Church, but are missionaries today. He provided examples of biblical figures like Joseph, David, and Daniel, who demonstrated faith and leadership in their youth. He urged parents to entrust their children to God's care, provide them with religious knowledge, and foster a spiritual environment at home. He likened the church to heaven, where saints and angels are present.

Readings and Prayers:  Two children reverently read the scripture passages. Children also presented the Prayers of the Faithful in their own words, demonstrating their faith.

Bible Procession: Children carrying the Bible, lit candles, garland, and incense in a solemn procession handed them to the priest who received, exposed, and honored the Holy Bible.

Post-Mass Felicitation: After the final blessing and hymn, the children dressed as saints were felicitated at the altar. The CMC sisters were also thanked for their contributions. Fr. S. Joseph blessed all the children.

Community Celebration: Following a brief silent prayer, the congregation came out of the church and applauded the children's participation. The children then performed a dance to a Christian hymn. Snacks and drinks were distributed.

3. Games and Conclusion:

John Victor, assisted by women and teenagers, organized and conducted six games for the children. The winners of these games, along with the children who portrayed saints, will be recognized and awarded on the following Sunday (February 16th).

Fr. S. Joseph expressed his gratitude to the children, parents, John Victor, and the CMC sisters for their contributions to the successful and meaningful celebration of Holy Childhood Sunday.

4. Overall Impression:

The celebration of Holy Childhood Sunday at Kristu Jyoti Church was a vibrant and spiritually enriching event. The collaborative efforts of the parish priest, catechist, sisters, children, and other parishioners created a memorable experience that highlighted the importance of children in the Church and encouraged their active participation in faith. The event served as a reminder that children are not just the future, but also the present, of the Church.