QUEZON City, May 27, 2013—Celebrating the Year of Faith, around 800 children gathered for their annual Diocesan Children Congress which focused on mission and faith awareness held at the La Consolacion College-Deparo last May 14.
Themed “Bata, Bata, May Pananampalataya! (Children, you have Faith!),” the 4th Diocesan Children Congress organized by the Mission Animation Ministry promoted mission and faith awareness among children in the diocese and celebrated the Flores de Mayo, praying the mission rosary for the world.
According to Fr. Polash Henry Gomes, SX, mission director of Novaliches diocese, the congress reminded the children on basic prayers and understanding the faith, getting to know different Saints, praying the mission rosary, and had fun through mission games.
“Mission Rosary as the main highlight aimed in encouraging children to choose their respective mission to pray for it. We also introduced the life story of Saints Lorenzo Ruiz, Pedro Calungsod, Dominic Savio, Francis Xavier and Therese of the Child Jesus,” Gomes said.
Children who attended were given a mission rosary with a guide book in Tagalog to teach them how to pray it and was taught of the colors of the rosary that stands for each continent of the world which are green for Africa, white for Europe, blue for Oceania and yellow for Asia.
“We prayed the mission rosary, together with the 800 children attending, for an increase mission and Faith awareness in the world,” Polash shared.
Anthony Dameg, formation coordinator of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) explained about the Holy Childhood Association to the children-participants.
He also discussed on how the children could help their fellow children in igniting the flame of faith in their hearts.
Culminating the event was a mass celebrated by Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias.
In his homily, the bishop shared about how to understand one’s faith it through physical senses and the spiritual.
“We can understand faith through prayers and images by the power of the Holy Spirit as the main agent of mission activities,” Tobias said.
He also encouraged the children to pray for a greater mission awareness by praying the Mission Rosary daily.
The congress was held in partnership with the Vocation Ministry and Catechetical Ministry of the diocese. (Jandel Posion)
