by Mathias Hariyadi


The event was held in the parish of St. Joseph in Sidareja. The aim of the initiative is to strengthen the morale and support children in their journey of faith. Indonesian priest, many attend public schools, where they are the subject of "hostile acts" of companions.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Hundreds of children, Catholic educators and priests attended the one-day meeting organized in the sub district of Santa Maria Immacolata of Cisumur, belonging to the parish of St. Joseph in Sidareja, Purwokerto Diocese, in central Java. Following the theme "Proud to be Catholic", last week at least 237 young people from the seven parishes of the of Indonesian Diocese held a gathering.  They were joined by dozens of teachers and priests from throughout the area (see photo).

Local Catholics welcomed hosting them for the duration of the rally. Participants included members of the parishes of St. Joseph Sidareja; St. John Mary Vianney to Kebumen; Saint Teresa of Majenang; Sainat Michael in Gombong; St. John Marie Vianney in Karanganyar; Sacred Heart of Kroya; Sainat Mary Immaculate of Cisumur; Saint Stephen of Cilacap.

The children of each community gathered in a soccer field, presenting some performances prepared ahead of the meeting and taking the opportunity to mingle in the open space.

Interviewed by AsiaNews, the parish priest of St. Joseph Fr. Christy Mahendra says that the community has been preparing for the event since June. Our main aim, says the priest, is to "strengthen the morale" of "our Catholic children" in the south of the Diocese of Purwokerto. It is important to the faith formation not only for those attending private Catholic schools, but also for those who study in public schools and who are "sometimes subject to bullying".

This initiative, adds Fr. Christy, which aims among other things to instill in children "pride" to profess the Catholic faith, is the good work of local volunteers who made ​​the event possible by providing food, drink and accommodation free of charge. The kids finally wrote about their hopes, dreams, desires on some notes that "were attached to balloons and released into the air".

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, Christians represent 5.7 per cent of the population with Catholics just over 3.6 per cent. Catholics are an active component in society. Over the years, they have contributed to the nation's development and played a major role in emergency operations, as was the case during the devastating floods of January 2013.

 

• indonesia
• catholic
• church
• faith
• formation
• youth