First Holy Communicants gifted with potted plants

Fr Martin Arlando, parish priest of the Church of Divine Mercy, presented each of the 25 children who received the Holy Eucharist for the first time, a potted green plant.

Nov 01, 2019

By Dr Ivan Filmer
Fr Martin Arlando, parish priest of the Church of Divine Mercy, presented each of the 25 children who received the Holy Eucharist for the first time, a potted green plant.

He said it was commonly called the “money” plant, otherwise known as the Golden Pothos, which represents perseverance and longing. However, it was not for them to make money from it but to take care of it and help it grow well enough to be able to cut off some of it to give to others. This was what he intended for them to do with their faith: to make it grow and share it with others. He remarked that he was going to check on their progress from time to time and jokingly warned them not to let the plant die.

He thanked the parents and teachers for preparing the children well to receive this sacrament. As part of their preparation, the children had already experienced the first three day stay in camp and confession. He reminded the children that at the beginning of the Bible in Genesis, God created the Earth and His best creation was Adam and Eve. The human person is a representation  of God as he/she is created in God’s image and likeness. In Pope Francis’ document Laudato Si, we are reminded to take care of all of God’s creation. Fr Martin explained to the children that in the Mass, two precious gifts are brought forward as an offering. They are the works of human hands, the bread and wine. These are presented to God as a prayer and thanksgiving for his sacrifice for us. He uses these gifts and transforms them to give them back to us as His body and blood. Similarly, Fr Martin asked the children to care for their faith by multiplying the gifts and talents given to them.

At the end of the Mass, the children presented a song on what the world needs. Their chosen representative, John Deepakar, gave a thank you speech to all those who had helped them on this faith journey. They then adjourned to the church basement for cake cutting and a potluck fellowship. The children were also overjoyed to welcome two Sisters from the Little Sisters of the Poor who had come to witness this event, reciprocating the outreach visit they had made during the camp.

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