by Myra D'souza
NORTH ARABIAN VICARIATE, 6 May, 2015: One hundred and thirty eight children from St. Therese parish, Kuwait received their First Holy Communion on Friday, 1st May. Fr. Franco 
Pereira, the Catechetical Director for the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, together with Frs. Blany Pinto and Lionel Braganza celebrated the Eucharist.
As Fr. Franco began the Holy Mass, he reminded the children that they now have a new best friend in Jesus and he asked them to pray for their parents, godparents, priests, teachers and catechists. In his homily he reflected on the Gospel of the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, whose core message is "sharing". He exhorted them to share the little they have, because Jesus will multiply it. He made them aware that when we receive Jesus, we become like Jesus and we must give Jesus to others. He urged them to always think of what Jesus would do in any situation, and this would help them to become more like him.
Faustino Menezes and the children's choir helped everyone participate better in the liturgy. It was a special moment when each child came to receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. Their parents were edified and happy to witness this occasion. "I was very excited to receive Jesus. From now on He will be with me forever. I felt very special during the celebration of Holy Mass," commented Megan Carvalho.
The parish priest thanked everyone who had helped prepare the children. A souvenir bag of a Bible, a rosary and a scapular was given to each child. "The whole ceremony was very well organized by the priests, catechists and volunteers. Every child received a copy of the Holy Bible which is wonderful," said Richard Simon, an elated dad.