By Olivia Obijiaku
Over 100 children joined the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) at Good Shepherd Parish Graceland, Zaria, while 20 others were inducted into the Young Missionary Movement of Nigeria (YOMM) on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Rev. Fr. Patrick Bako Zichyiang, Diocesan Chaplain of HCA, welcomed the new members, urging them to share their blessings with less privileged children and make themselves available to spread the Gospel of Jesus.
He congratulated the new YOMM members for graduating from HCA and joining YOMM Nigeria.
“Dear children,” he beckoned. “Our loving Father knows each one of us by name. Like He called Samuel, He calls you. Be grateful for all the blessings in your life and in your families. He calls you to look around in your home; your school – even in your playground to see the need of poor children. He calls you to help them.”
“One way of reaching out and bringing help to poor children is by joining HCA with the Motto, ‘Children Helping Children.’ By your baptism, each of you is called to spread the Good News of Jesus and to bring His love to others. Say yes to Jesus because He loves you. Say yes to Jesus because of His love and benevolence to us. He has taught us to be our brothers’ keepers.”
Fr. Zichyiang explained that the colours of the HCA Mission Rosary: yellow for Asia; blue for Oceania; white for Europe; red for America; and green for Afrivca represent the continents of the world even as he invited everyone to journey together towards their salvation.
On her part, the Coordinator of HCA in the parish, Dr. Mrs. Josephine Anyanwu thanked the parents who released their children to join the body. She called on the rest to allow their children to join the HCA so that they too may enjoy the benefits therein.