The 1^st Holy Communion camp started on Saturday, 22^nd and ended on Sunday, 23^rd October 2016, a 2 days 1 night camp.  There were a total of 19 children. The camp started with registration and breakfast being served in the courtyard, then we adjourned to the formation house.  This was my 1^st church camp, I was excited and overwhelmed and also being oldest among all the children.

The theme for this camp was “JESUS IS MY FRIEND”.  We children set up the altar for the bible enthronement and prayer, inviting Jesus and the Holy Spirit to be with us.  I was asked to read the word of God.  Then our teachers told us the camp rules.  We were also introduced to the Community Song “I’ll follow Jesus”, which we then learned  to dance to. 

The opening session was “God’s Love”, by teacher Sharon. I started to pen down in words what I felt, my experiences of God’s love and my life as a Catholic. We were asked to write a letter to God.

After lunch, we went to the Sacristy. Three altar servers explained and showed us all the instruments used in the Mass. We moved from the Sacristy to the Sanctuary for a short briefing. I had a chance to stand near the tabernacle and felt the presence of Jesus.

Thereafter, Sister Mary David talked to us about “Eucharist and Forgiveness”, how to forgive others just as God forgives us.  Then Sr. Mary showed us the unblessed ‘Body of Christ’, which is called ‘host’. I touched and felt the host and it was smooth and soft. It tasted like soft bread and I was so happy that I got to taste it.

At tea break, I suddenly felt I was away from my parents but then being with my friends, I experienced an atmosphere filled with love, happiness and excitement.  This camp had taught me to be independent. 

After dinner, we had a prayer gathering called “Taize”, where I had to light a candle and place it near the cross, I knelt and prayed for forgiveness. I felt peace within me.  After the prayer session, teacher Assunta helped us with our flower’s artwork, followed with night prayer. We then watched a movie called “Room”.

On Sunday, we attended Mass. Our last session was about the “Sacrament of Reconciliation and a Parent-child Relationship” lead by Sr. Mary. Before the parents joined us, Sr. Mary spoke to us about reconciliation and she explained, made us recall back the movie, “Room” and relate it to the session. She asked the parents to get to know about their children. My mom and me sat down and talk about me. 

As closing, we danced to our Community Song to our Jesus as thanksgiving. The parents were invited to dance along too. I had a great journey towards knowing Jesus.

By Anna Maria.