The Catholic Church is missionary by its very design and nature. Catholic schools and religious education programs not only educate children about their faith, but they also help children grow spiritually, including teaching them to become missionary (Catholic review 2012). The pontifical Association of the Holy Childhood (HCA) or missionary Childhood Association (MCA), is a catholic children’s association, was founded in France in 1843 by Bishop Charles de Forbin Janson for the benefit of foreign missions. Originally, He appealed to the children of France to reach out and help the children of the missions in the North America and China. Back then the United States was mission territory. It is one of four pontifical Mission Societies and is dedicated to fostering children’s awareness of the missionary nature of the church. He asked children to pray one Hail Mary every day for children all over the world and give a small coin every month to help feed the children in the missions. Its purpose is to encourage all children to be aware of the needs of children living in mission diocese through the world and support them both spiritually and sacrificially. Today this mission is found in every corner of the world, with children from all walks of life praying for their brothers and sisters all over the world. It is all about “believe in Jesus, live in Jesus” and “children helping other children” grow in love for Christ and His church starting from a young age.

The motto is “Children helping children”.
Patron: Infant Jesus
Sub patrons: Mother Mary and Guardian Angel
Feast day: 2nd Sunday of February
Activities: Teaching catholic daily prayers, Holy Mass, devotional songs, word of God, stories of Saints and visiting orphanages.

By the Grace of God, we had started the Holy Childhood Association here at Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Forane Church (SHKCC) on February 15, 2020. We held our inauguration ceremony on that day at the church after the Holy Mass. Children who were enrolled in Pre-K all the way to 4th grade, who have not received solemn Holy Communion, are the members of this association. They would come together twice a week to pray together, pray for other children and the whole world, learn Word of God, action songs, and share stories of the saints and play, all while growing closer to Jesus.

Due to the pandemic, we had to pause the activities even then, the children continued to learn through the videos that teachers would send the parents on WhatsApp. Now the Holy Childhood Association activities resumed, we meet once a month after the Holy Mass. During that meeting, many of the children have an opportunity to share their talents by singing and dancing with an action song! A lot of these young children are so ready to grow in the love of Jesus as evidenced by their little smiles every time they partake in a meeting for Holy Childhood Association.