Even though sacred Scripture contains little information about the childhood and adolescent period of our Savior’s life, there are numerous examples of art and sculpture that may offer meditations on this period of His life. Whenever we view such depictions, our minds and hearts also “see” all the children and young people of the world contained in these “views” of Jesus as a child or adolescent. His birth in the flesh forever makes us mindful of the dignity of every person at every stage of life.

This month of September has us once again mindful of the formation of the children in our lives. All our efforts to serve them consist of enabling them to reach their full potential as children of God. To hear parents speak of the opportunities they are able to provide for their children in terms of education, formation and well being is to know just how very important is the dignity of every child.

The Holy Childhood Association (HCA), which has as its motto “Children Helping Children,” is the pontifical mission society responsible for promoting the dignity of every child throughout the world. And their promotion is carried out by the children of the world themselves. Families and schools and formation programs enrolling their children in the HCA become part of a worldwide network of help offered to the most disadvantaged children on the planet. It is effective, since its inception in 1843, because it is not run according to a program but instead according to a person — the person of Jesus, and His coming to us as a child.

Our diocese has an HCA component as part of our Propagation of the Faith and Mission Office. It is administered by Brenda Pistani. The 2008-2009 pamphlet prepared by Mrs. Pistani, which notes the responsibilities and resources of the HCA, states one of the primary goals of this effort: “helping children strengthen their own relationship with God through active participation in the missionary work of the Church.”

Practically speaking, every child who is enrolled in the HCA by their family, school, or religious education office, receives a subscription to “It’s Our World” newsletter which highlights the mission work of the Church in various regions of the globe. Children may participate in the coin folder and mite box donations during Advent and Lent. There is a Christmas artwork contest and a “Pay It Forward” program co-sponsored with local Advent Religious Supply Shops and the National Office. Children are encouraged to pray the world mission rosary devised by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in 1951 and to participate in the HCA’s National Week of Prayer March 15-22, 2009. There is also an interactive Web site at www.HCAKIDS.org for children and parents to learn more about the missions and what they can do to help the missionaries and those they serve. Mrs. Pistani is also available to visit schools, religious education programs and home school gatherings for presentations that enlighten and inspire at the same time.

On October 19, World Mission Sunday, we will recognize those young people who participated in HCA efforts this past year. At the 12:30 p.m. Mass at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Massapequa on that day the church will be filled with many children from our diocese who have helped many children from the dioceses of all the world. Please contact Mrs. Pistani at 516-678-5800 ext. 519 or bpistani@drvc.org for complete information about all the HCA efforts that help your child learn more about the Christ Child and all the children of His world.
I want to take this opportunity to announce the dates for our annual mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica and the Missionaries of the Poor. The dates will be March 4-8, 2009. Please call the Mission Office at 516-678-5800 ext. 519 to get your name on the list of Long Island missionaries or to get more information about the trip. Father Richard Ho Lung, the founder of this missionary congregation, is available for parish retreats and his Father Ho Lung and Friends ministry is available for musical concerts of his award-winning Caribbean-style worship and praise music. You can visit their Web site at www.missionariesofthepoor.org for more information about their work and concerts.

Please remember Pope Benedict XVI’s mission intention for the month of September in your prayers: “That faithful to the Sacrament of Matrimony, every Christian family may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small evangelizing community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual needs of others.”