By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy
Panaji, Sept 8, 2020: A parish in Goa has organized card making competition on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday to make them aware of their mothers’ sacrifices for them.
“We wanted the children to appreciate their mothers, who are bringing them up in faith, nurturing them physically, academically and spiritually,” said Father Walter D’Sa, parish priest of Immaculate Conception Church in the state capital of Panaji.
“We wanted to remind the children to be kind to their mothers and maintain a good relationship with them always,” the priest told Matters India on September 8, the feast commemorating Mother Mary’s birthday.
Father Reagan Fernandes, assistant parish priest, said they used to celebrate the feast with catechists and students.
“The day is also dedicated to mothers, and hence we celebrate Mother’s day. Our children prepare cards for their mothers and offer them to them during our get-together,” he said.
However, the coronavirus pandemic prevented the parish to celebrate the feast as in the past.
“This year foreseeing that a celebration together was not possible, we organized the card competition in advance. We wanted to keep up the spirit,” Father Fernandes told Matters India.
Thirty-three children took part in the contest that gave away 500 rupees as first prize, 300 for the second and 200 for the third.
The competition was meant for children 5-9 and 10-14 age groups. It had important suggestion to follow: a card must have words of gratitude for their mother, in three to five lines.
The cards were returned to students on September 7, so that they could present them to their mothers on September 8.
In his letter to the parents informing about the competition, Father Fernandes said, “ We are people of faith. We know that these are trying times and our faith in Jesus is helping us to overcome these trails. Living our faith and handing it down to our children is very important. I am sure that our children’s faith is kept alive by you. Remember, your family is a domestic church.”