EUROPE/POLAND - “Holidays with God” for children of poor families organised by the Pontifical Mission Societies, Caritas and Catholic Action Czestochowa

Czestochowa (Agenzia Fides) - “Holidays with God” are an initiative organised by the Pontifical Mission Societies, Caritas and Catholic Action for about 1,800 children of poor families from Czestochowa and the whole of the archdiocese of Czestochowa. Children and teenagers of families in difficult economic conditions or who belong to the poorest sectors of the population enjoy a period of holidays and rest during the Summer months of July and August.
“Holidays with God” are a pastoral initiative for children whose families lack the means to give the children a holiday. “Ours is not only a charitable initiative it is also formative, social and Christian” Fides was told by Mgr. Stanislaw Ilczyk, head of Caritas in the archdiocese of Czestochowa. “Holidays organised for less fortunate children have also a missionary value. Especially in this year of the Priesthood, as priests we want to be close to children who suffer from poverty and offer them a few moments of joy and smiles ” says Jacek Gancarek, director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the archdiocese. (MF/SL) (Agenzia Fides 10/7/2009; righe 16, parole 203)