ASIA/CHINA - Summer camp: an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among communities

Thursday, 14 July 2016 local churches   youth  

Faith

Shi Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) - The summer camp for children and young people is now a traditional activity of the Chinese Catholic continental communities, and this year has also become an opportunity to consolidate solidarity and cooperation among the various Catholic communities. According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, the pastor of the parish of Chang Heng in Xin Xiang, a small community, received the support of the youth group of Divine Love of the Diocese of Zheng Zhou to organize their own summer camp. It was also the first time that young Catholics of the group carried out pastoral work experience outside the diocese. From July 4 to 11 they led the children of Chang Heng in the study of catechism, of sacred songs, of the story of the Bible. Some children who had already received their First Communion, were able to receive the Eucharist during Mass, three children are also preparing for baptism. According to young volunteers, "it was an extraordinary experience".
Since yesterday, 180 children of the Diocese of Zhou Zhi, of Shaan Xi province, began Summer Camp 2016, rather "Camp in the Year of Mercy", as emphasized from the beginning the priests and nuns who will guide them up to July 16.
Even 440 children in the Diocese of Wen Zhou attended the annual summer camp. According to the diocesan vicar, "thanks to the support of priests and nuns, we have organized a week of camping. We want the summer camp to be an open door for the children and their parents to then participate in the Sunday school of the parish, where they can have a fixed appointment with the community and attend church activities".
The summer camp of the Catholic community of Qian An, in Tang Shan, brought together about twenty non-Catholic children together with seventy Catholics. Thanks to the patience and the affection of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, they were able to deepen the main concepts of the Christian faith through scripture and even drawings, cartoons and dance expressions. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 14/07/2016)


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