by Curie Colaço
KUWAIT, MAY 16, 2017: On May 12, over hundred children – dressed in white - arrived with their parents at the Church of St. Therese, Salmiya- Kuwait to receive the 
sacrament of First Holy Communion.
Weeks of practice and a year of training in catechism classes ensured that the children were more than equipped for the experience of welcoming Jesus personally into their lives.
Holy Mass was celebrated by Father Lionel Braganza and concelebrated by Father Francisco Pereira, Father Blany Pinto, Father Derrick Misquitta, Father Johnson Nedumpuram, Father Clifford and Deacon Sylvester D'Souza. The children's choir animated the music.
Father Braganza began by delighting the children as he reminisced about his First Holy Communion day. The homily was delivered by Father Pereira who invited Father Braganza and Father Pinto to sing his favourite hymn, 'He's got the whole world, in his hands' to the children, thereby making his message clear to them.
The children smiled as they sang and prayed, waiting expectantly to finally receive their new best friend. Along with the children, even the parents and other catechists appreciated the efforts of the organisers.
"Everything from the rehearsals, the hall decoration, the assembly of the communicants, the seating arrangements for parents and relatives was perfect with clockwork precision," Susan Pereira, a parent said.
After the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the children received their First Holy Communion certificate. Souvenirs – the holy Bible, Rosary and a Scapular - were also given along with snacks. A parent of a communicant said, "We are truly a blessed flock, to have the benefit of the best pastoral care under the Salesians and a dedicated and capable catechism ministry."