Children's Mission Day builds global fellowship through play

Children in third through eighth grade gathered at St. Cletus Oct. 22 for the 20th annual “Children’s Mission Day Mass and Celebration” sponsored by the archdiocesan office of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA). With a mission of “Children Helping Children,” the HCA promotes unity among the world’s children by providing them with opportunities to sample each other’s games, musical instruments and other cultural options. (Photos by Beth Donze)

DeMajah Johnson, a St. Cletus fifth grader, tries on hats of the world with her mother, Trenisha Johnson-Berry, at Children’s Mission Day.

Adriana Escoto, a fourth grader from St. Jerome Parish, visits the “Africa” table. Each participant left with a handmade bookmark from their St. Cletus hosts bearing the day’s theme: “We Must Love Each Other.”

Dominican Sister of Peace Suzanne Brauer, mission educator for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and HCA coordinator, uses an expandable sphere to illustrate how all the baptized – no matter how young – are called to spread God’s love throughout the world. Children can be missionaries not only through their donations of money and material assistance, but also through prayer, said Sister Suzanne.