By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Panaji, July 26, 2020: A parish in Goa on found a new way to celebrate Grandparents’ Day on July 26, the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, parent of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Every year our catechism children with the help of the catechists used to celebrate the grandparents day with a special Mass and thereafter an entertainment. This year we organized a “selfie photo” contest of children with grandparents,” says Father Wlater De Sa, parish priest of Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji, the state capital.
Father Reagan Fernandes, assistant priest who coordinates the contest, said the contest was open for children of 6 to 15 years of age. “Children had to click a selfie with their grandparents. Pictures tell stories and become memories. So let us capture memories of 2020 grandparents,” the young priest told Matters India.
As many as 28 children took part in the context by 9 pm on the same day.
The parish priest said they would award the first three best selfies. The winner will get 500 rupees, followed by 300 rupees and 200 rupees.
The parish is also organizing catechism classes online.
Father Fernandes said the worldwide pandemic has prevented them from holding catechism classes in classrooms. “So this year, instead of children coming for catechesis, their parents and grandparents will team them. In fact, parents are the primary teachers of faith,” the assistant pastor explained.