SUNGAI PETANI: It was a meaningful celebration for 50 children who received their First Holy Communion at Christ the King Church recently.

Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap, the main celebrant stepped down from the sanctuary to talk with the children where they were seated.

By getting closer to the children, Fr Andrew was able to make a connection as a loving and caring Father. The children enthusiastically responded to the question and answer session about Holy Communion, Confession and their feelings about receiving the Sacraments.

Fr Andrew pleaded with the parents to commit themselves to the faith development of their children and to pass on the faith through their own examples of how they live their Catholic faith.

“You must be exemplary Christian parents. It is your obligation to ensure your children grow in the faith as you made this promise before God during their baptism.

“Your child’s faith depends on you and you cannot neglect this duty as you are accountable,” he told a packed Church, during the Sunday morning mass.

He said parents nowadays gave priority to education but they should be just as serious in the faith development of their children so this faith could be passed on to the future generations.

He hoped parents would spend more time with their children in imparting their faith through family prayers, reading the Bible with them or saying the rosary.

Prior to their First Holy Communion, the children attended a three-day stay-in camp at the St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, within the church compound.

Mass ended with fellowship and lunch for the children and parishioners. — By Anne Haslam