Summer Camp at St Philip's Parish Karachi, Pakistan

A Group of children came running to me on the second day of the summer camp saying “Father why are you closing summer camp. Please continue it because we get board in our houses and there is nothing else to do, please, please continue it.” I looked into their eyes, and there was so much of life, and curiosity there. I consoled them saying, that we would soon organize some other programs in the parish, and in their area churches. Summer camp brought richness to life and joy to the St Philip's parish. It was well organized on 15th, 16th July 2016, by the hard work of the pastoral team, and the Sunday school teachers. All the parish Sunday schools from different areas participated in this summer camp. There were more than 500 hundred children who took active part in it. It is very essential to organize such occasions for our children, because our children come from very poor background. Whenever there are annual holidays of schools, they hardly get a chance to visit or go somewhere for outing with their parents. There are many factors involved in it, specially the economic aspects of the family. Most of our children's parents work as sanitary workers. If children are on holidays, parents have to go to work. Most mothers are also working in as domestic servants. The parish takes these circumstances very seriously and keeps arranging different programs so that our children may remain busy and be able to grow in their catholic faith, and to learn how to relate with other children, and form good friendships. It is also to understand that such events help children a lot to be good and to focus on a better future and to become good citizens of Pakistan. Summer camp is also a future investment of Catholic Faith, social activities and to bring the poor kids in the main stream of life where they can feel that they are well looked after and cared for. The first day started with the registration of the Sunday Schools. There was a meaningful, creative, prayer session, which was prepared by the children themselves. It was a very meaningful start of the summer camp, making God the centre of the summer camp. The most significant and important thing to see was the joy and smiles on the children’s faces, full of life and energy. In the first session they were divided into different mixed groups for creative art work, they all had to fill in the colors in the drawings given to them. it is a very interesting to see children run to get the colors and wait for each other to finish. It also demands that they learn to share resources and cooperate with each other. This session is very important, because this session teaches the children how to relate with each other and help to make others drawing beautiful. It was also announced to the children that whoever colors the drawing differently and in a creative way will be given special prizes. Kids make the most of this session; they show their skills and fill the sheets with enthusiasm. The second session was question and answer time. Very simple questions were asked from the children and every right answer was awarded with a special gift. It was such a joyful session lots of cheating and everyone shouted and answer was given publicly. The third session was a fun session, playing games, running around, talking and shouting loudly, as much as they could. After the fun session the children were exhausted, so they needed good food. Lunch was served in time and the children seemed to have huge appetites. After lunch break the children came together to perform different, songs, dramas and whatever they wished to exhibit on stage. At eh end of the day there was a closing prayer session, and the first day ended. The second day was outdoor stage performances. It was a competition day among all the Sunday schools of the parish. There were tableaus, singing, and bible quiz and different other social activities, the kids enjoyed a lot and had lot of fun activities. After these performances a thanks-giving Holy Mass was celebrated for all the Sunday school teachers and kids. The climax of the Summer Program was the prize distribution ceremony for the participants. The judges announced the winners and distributed the prizes among the position holders. Fr Bernard Y Bhatti OFM Parish Priest/ Administrator St Philip's Parish, Khi