Kids experience global church at 20th Children’s Mission Day

Anthony Rivando, a fifth grader at Visitation of Our Lady, dances in Mexican garb during Children’s Mission Day activities at St. Cletus Church Oct. 22. The day included Mass celebrated by Father James Jeanfreau.

It was sponsored by the archdiocesan office of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA). Designed to remind children of their baptismal calling to spread God’s love to children throughout the world, the event exposes youngsters to some of the games and customs of their peers in other countries as a means of building a more unified world.

After Mass, the children visited tables containing musical instruments, clothing and other cultural items from the Mission Office’s three focus areas for 2011-12: Africa, the Americas and Asia. At right is HCA coordinator Dominican Sister of Peace Suzanne Brauer.