First Holy Communion at St Thomas Kuantan

Nov 22, 2024

KUANTAN: The Church of St Thomas the Apostle celebrated a joyful First Holy Communion for twelve children on November 10. In preparation for this significant milestone, a two-day camp was held on October 26-27, centred around the theme Jesus Loves Me. The camp provided the children with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Eucharist, reconciliation, and the Mass.

Catechists, along with facilitators Jillian, Sharon, and Philip, led a series of meaningful activities, including a parent-child letter exchange, affirmation jars, and creative art projects that symbolised faith and family. These activities helped the children build a deeper connection with their faith as they prepared for this special sacrament.

The camp also balanced spiritual learning with engaging games, praise and worship, and discussions that fostered family bonding.

The culmination of their journey was the First Holy Communion Mass, where each child received the Eucharist for the first time, with family and parish members gathered in support and celebration.

Parish priest, Fr George Packiasamy, shared a message with the children, reminding them that Jesus would now come to live in the sacred place of their hearts, a bond that can never be broken. This special moment is just the beginning of their journey in faith and love for God.

The parents expressed feelings of relief, gratitude, and pride in seeing their children take this important step in their faith. They hope that receiving the Eucharist will encourage their children to grow deeper in their understanding of Christianity. One parent shared, “After the Mass, I felt proud to have fulfilled an important responsibility for my child. I hope this will inspire them to continue exploring and living out their faith.”

The children, too, were excited, expressing happiness and a newfound enthusiasm for participating in church activities, especially the Mass. One child shared, “I am so happy because I can now receive Jesus just like my parents. I feel proud and joyful to be part of this.”

The parish extends its gratitude to all catechists, facilitators, and volunteers who contributed to making this a memorable experience for the children, one that will hopefully guide and strengthen them in their faith journey for years to come. --Eunice Kok