Our initial response would be to see both days as beginnings, the 1st of January being the beginning of the Gregorian New Year and Pentecost being the beginning or birthday of the Church. Most people are unaware that these common associations are actually inaccurate – that is until the Middle Ages, the 25th of March or the Feast of the Annunciation was New Yearโs Day and that it would be more theologically correct to speak of the birth of the Church from the wounds of Christ on Good Friday.
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The correct answer to the above question is the Holy Spirit who is invoked in a special way on both days in the form of an ancient hymn ๐๐๐ง๐ข ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฌ.
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If the ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฆ was the hymn of thanksgiving which closes the end of the previous year, ๐๐๐ง๐ข ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฌ is the hymn which welcomes the Spirit at the beginning of the New Year.
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The hymn ๐๐๐ง๐ข ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฌ was probably written by Rabanus Maurus (856), Archbishop of Mainz, and has been widely used from the end of the tenth century on. In addition to its place in the Pentecost liturgy, the Veni Creator has also been assigned as the official opening prayer for Church councils and synods. It is recited and sung by the faithful all over the world at the start of important undertakings, such as the beginning of a school year, at conventions, missions, retreats, and on many similar occasions.
Regular weekly attendance at all class sessions is expected. It should be the norm for all catechism learners to attend more than 80% of classes, failing which the student may be retained in the level or forgo receiving the Sacrament for the given year at the discretion of the church Priests/Catechism Ministry.
Parents are to notify the catechist by phone or email if their child will be absent, stating the reason for the absence.
Understand that irregular attendance at Mass may lead to the child not receiving the sacrament for the given year to ensure more faith guidance and commitment is instilled.
Parents' Guidelines:โ
The Church recognizes that parents have the primary responsibility for educating their children in the faith. Parents should assist their children in their learning, teach them how to pray, and review any homework. In addition, parents are asked to:
Ensure children are on time for class.
Communicate any concerns to the contacts listed on the website or to the class catechists. Parents are expected to maintain a respectful and courteous attitude towards catechists, other parents, and children at all times. This includes verbal communications in parents chat groups, private messages to catechists, and non-verbal interactions.
Serve as role models and ensure their children attend Mass weekly, including on obligatory days, and go for confessions (at least once a year for children who have received First Holy Communion).
For younger children up to level 2, parents are encouraged to physically pick up their children after class (preferably from the classrooms).
Encourage children to participate in the spiritual camp, outreach, or day trip meant for spiritual formation.
Encourage their children to follow the safe environment guidelines at all times while on the premises of Jesus Caritas and nurture them to take care of the church facilities, assets, and cleanliness.
Pay attention to and share with the children information and matters shared by our Catechists periodically through the parents’ chat groups.
Encourage children to take part in BEC and catechist-initiated Mass animation (e.g., doing readings, hospitality ministry, offertory, and reciting the Rosary before Mass).
Attend the Parent-Catechist meet and take keen interest in the child’s faith formation and behavior in general.
Ensure that each child possesses a Catholic Bible, makes reference to it regularly, and brings it to catechism classes.
In the event one of the parent is a non-Catholic, we encourage a signed parental consent letter to be given to the Catechetical Ministry to allow the child to attend catechism classes.
Ensure children bring their Bible, Catechism book, notebook, writing materials (pens, pencils), and water bottle as required for classes.
