Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New York (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Childhood Association (HCA) in the United States is spotlighting the country of Senegal in its “It’s Our World” newsletter for Lent, emphasizing how the Church in that African country brings help and hope to children and their families. This is what the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of the USA told Agenzia Fides in a recent statement.
“There are so many examples around the world today of children whose daily reality is a ‘Good Friday’ one – suffering from natural disasters, extreme poverty, violence,” explains Monsignor John E. Kozar, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, which include HCA. “These children find the hope-filled message of Easter through the service of priests, Religious and lay catechists.”
Monsignor Kozar offered the story of Sister Rosalind, who works with children at a Church-run day care in a small rural village in Senegal called Thies. Children in day care are not only taught how to read and write, but also learn about the “Good News” of Jesus. “They come to share and care for one another – just as Jesus loved us,” Sister Rosalind comments.
“Young people in our country are missionaries today,” Monsignor Kozar observed, “as they pray and sacrifice for the Church’s work among these African children and countless thousands more throughout the Developing World.”
Also during Lent is HCA’s National Prayer Week, to be held March 14 to 21. During that week, HCA invites young people to remember children in the Missions – especially those waiting to hear about Jesus and His Gospel – as they pray together a special mission prayer. A poster with that prayer, in English and Spanish, is sent to Catholic schools and religious education programs throughout the United States; it is also available online at www.hcakids.org. Last year, some half a million children participated in National Prayer Week. (AR) (Agenzia Fides 25/02/2010)
