Monday, September 3, 2007

Universal Children's Day Celebration - 2007




Universal Children’s Day 2007 was celebrated in the Diocese of Kandy on 6th October 2007, at St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota. “Setik” Kandy organized the programme together with the Holy Childhood Apostolate in the Diocese. The theme was “Let’s grow with you”. More than 1800 children with about 180 Holy Childhood Animators took an active part in this programme. Children from the Holy Childhood groups of the Diocese together with those of the “Rainbow Chidren” centres of the Diocese participated in the programme. About 5 training programmes were implemented at Deanery level for the Animators to prepare them for the programme on Universal Children’s Day.

On 6th October at 9.30 a.m. Universal Children’s Day programme commenced with an inter-religious meditation for the children assembled at the College grounds. Then the Children and the teachers divided into 30 groups with about 55 children in each group with 5 teachers. Group activities to promote leadership qualities, team spirit and build up an inter-relationship among the children were carried out in the groups. These activities helped the children to relax and be refreshed spiritually and physically. The morning’s programme closed with lunch.

A cultural programme by the children commenced at 2.00 p.m. This was held at the College Hall. Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando - Bishop of Kandy was the Chief Guest and the Guests of Honour were Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando - National Director Caritas Sri Lanka and Very Rev. Fr. Milroy Fonseka - The Vicar General of Kandy Diocese. The guests were warmly welcomed by the children and those present in the hall. Rev. Fr. George Sigamoney - Director of Setik introduced the guests and delivered the welcome speech. The programme of the cultural show was composed of 11 items: three items from each deanery in the Diocese and the “Setik” organization. There were Drama, dances, and songs in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages. At the end of the cultural programme the Bishop of Kandy addressed the gathering specially the children and their animators and distributed souvenirs to all the children and the animators who participated in the programme.

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