2017-06-20 16:31:00

‎181 Indonesian children receive First Communion ‎


Sunday, the feast of Corpus Christi, or the Body of Christ,  was solemnized in Bali, Indonesia, with 181 children receiving the First Holy Communion.   Father Herman Yoseph Babey, parish priest of  the Holy Spirit church in Denpasar, celebrated the Mass, in which the whole community participated with great enthusiasm. The children, who went through a five-year preparation, came from 18 different basic ecclesial communities, and were on an average ten years old.   

In his homily Fr. Babey said that after receiving the Body and the Blood of Jesus, the life of children can no longer be for themselves, but is to be shared and lived in the service of others.  “We hope that after receiving the Eucharist, these children will let themselves become involved in the Church's various activities and that their parents will encourage them to do so," said Fr. Babey said.  “First Communion for those who receive it is the beginning of participation in the life of the Church and the sign that one is ready to believe that Jesus is present in the Holy Eucharist," he said. The parish priest encouraged the children to receive the Holy Communion frequently, wishing as they grow up as true Catholics they make Jesus the centre of their lives.

Yohanes Paulus, father of two girls, spoke to AsiaNews. "I am happy that my two daughters have received communion today,” he said. “For our family, it is truly a blessing from God. I feel that God is truly present in our family and, today, especially in them. " 

After the Mass, the entire community continued the celebration in the parish hall, where the pastoral council of the parish organized a small party in honour of the children.  (Source: UCAN)








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