HERE I AM LORD! LORD, I AM YOURS!
July 7, 2019
OVER SIXTY FAITHFUL GATHER TO MAKE SUMMER PROGRAM AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS
"Lord I am here, Lord I am Yours" prayed the Children at the Summer Catechism program.
"Lord I am here, Lord I am Yours" was the main theme during the Summer Catechism week, which was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Rossburn, from July 1st to July 6th, 2019.
The week was fully loaded with prayer, lessons, games, fun and personal time spent with Jesus. The children were divided into three groups: a younger group, the group for the preparation for the First Holy Confession and Holy Communion, and a youth group. We were blessed to have 43 children, 17 volunteers and 2 priests.
Every day started with the Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am and reflection for everyone present in the Church. The children read the Epistle reading for every day and sang during the Liturgy.
Different activities outside with dance (in Ukrainian банси) took place after Divine Liturgy and before the first Lesson.
The main crafts for Catechism this year were a painted Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus and T-shirt with the logo "Jesus".
Every child with their parents had the wonderful opportunity to receive reconciliation with God through the Sacrament of Confession.
On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we served a BBQ lunch: hot-dogs & hamburgers for all participants and parents with Ice-cream & cake at the end.
Unforgettable in the memory of every child and adult will be the outdoor Rosary, which was made with helium balloons. Everyone took turns to lead the rosary either "Our Father" or "Hail Mary".
One of the funniest days, was of course, the water fight with the parish priest. Everyone left the Church grounds soaking wet, but happy with a huge smile on their faces.
The Cookie Monster did not forget us this year again, and he came with lots of cookies, juice and fruits for all.
During free time we had lots of different activities: a bouncy castle, a trampoline, the parachute, Ping-Pong, bean bag throws, air ball fight, face painting and so on.
During the Catechism the youth group organized a dance-play about the relationships between God and His creature: man. Suddenly man walked far away from God because of so many worldly temptations: alcohol, money, smoking, drugs, modern technologies, fashion....and so on. Until he/she felt alone and at the bottom of life: depression, suicidal thoughts. Man decided come back to God, but it is not an easy way, because all those temptations are obstacles which keep us separated from God. With God's help man was united again in harmony with Almighty God.
The culmination of the Summer Catechism Program was a celebration of the Sunday Divine Liturgy, but on Saturday, July 6th. Three feasts were united into one great celebration: the Sunday of All Saints of the Ukrainian Lands, the Feast of the Mother of God of Perpetual Help and First Holy Communion.
This year we had five children who received their First Holy Confession and Solemn Holy Communion starting a new and close relationship with their Saviour.
Catechism week was a time when the seeds were planted in good soil, now it's the parents' responsibility to take care of the plant, water it and create a suitable climate for the plant to grow and bear fruit.
We would like to extend a word of gratitude to all our teachers, catechism coordinators, volunteers, priests, children and all sponsors who helped to make this catechism program possible and successful. May God be with you all!
- Anna Khomitska
