Holy Childhood Association
A Pontifical Mission Society
children helping children
HCA e-news
Vol. 2, Issue 9, April 2012
J O I N U S...
Holy Father’s Mission Intentions:
CHRIST, HOPE FOR AFRICANS
Pray the World Mission Rosary!
That the risen Christ may be a sign of cer-
To prepare for the “Mary” month of May, order the World Mission Rosary
or pray it online with your students! Each decade represents a different
tain hope for the men and women of the
continent so it’s a great, concrete way to pray for children in every corner
African continent.
of the world! You could even create a Living World Mission Rosary by
having students wear the different colors of the decades!
To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He
has given us— and He has given us everything...Gratitude
therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is
constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise
of the goodness of God.
Thomas Merton
Activity of the Month: CELEBRATE 50 DAYS OF EASTER
As Lent ends, we move into the 50 days of the Easter
Mission Saint of the
Month:
JOHN BAPTIST DE LA
SALLE
season, celebrating all the way to Pentecost! Celebrate
the joyful Resurrection with this Easter calendar! Have
students color and decorate the calendar and mark off
each day of the season with either a sticker, an X, or
any other way! Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God as
you mark off each day and offer up a petition for those
children less fortunate around the world.
John was born in France, the eldest of ten children
to a wealthy and noble family. He began preparation
Mission Country of the Month: THAILAND
to enter the priesthood at age 11 and was ordained
Thailand, in Southeast Asia, borders Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia and has a
at age 27. He became interested in the education of
tropical climate. Thai people speak Thai and English and 94.6% of the population is Bud-
poor boys and eventually threw himself whole-
dhist. The largest percentage of the working population works in agriculture. Approximately
heartedly into this work, leaving his home and family
8% of the population lives on less than $2 a day. The Thai people use the phrase ‘land of
and giving away his fortune to live like the people he
the free’ to express pride in the fact that Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia
served.
never colonized by a European power.
He founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools
The small but steady Catholic Church in Thailand lives their Mission mandate by helping
(Christian Brothers or De La Salle Brothers) and
educate children and communities academically and spiritually. The Holy Childhood Asso-
established teachers’ colleges as well as schools for
ciation helps support the Daughters of Charity
younger men and boys. His schools spread to Italy
in Thailand as they care for children and fami-
and all over the world with the new and fruitful meth-
lies affected by leprosy, HIV/AIDS, and other
ods of teaching that John developed. He resigned in
disadvantages. “Our program not only empha-
1717 and died in 1719. He was canonized by Pope
sizes education, but also encourages commu-
Leo XIII in 1900 and is the patron of teachers. May
nity involvement,” wrote Sister Josefina
we learn from his example to serve the poor and use
Estremera in a letter to HCA. She explained
our talents and skills to bring glory to the One who
that entire families participate in faith- and
gave them to us!
education-based activities and lessons.
HCA around Baltimore
For Lent, students of St. John the Evangelist School in Severna Park
united in prayer and sacrificing for the poor around the world!
Each class worked to raise money to populate their tree with Polly the Parrot,
HCA’s mascot. Each parrot shows $10 sacrificed for the children in need across
the globe. The 7th graders even made commercials to encourage their schoolmates to give!
Many thanks to these dedicated students and may their spirit keep shining to help
the poor through their commitment to HCA and mission!
The third grade boys and their teacher with
their parrot-ed tree!
Questions or Comments? Email me at [email protected] or call 410-625-8450
www.archbalt.org/missions