Faith, Fellowship, and Formation: HCA and YOMM Day Celebrated in Katsina Diocese
10/11/2025
Katsina Diocese, Nigeria
From October 10th to 11th, the Katsina Diocese hosted a spiritually enriching and youth-centered celebration of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) and Young Missionary Movement (YOMM) Day. The two-day event, held within the diocesan grounds at the Cathedral, commenced with the arrival and registration of children from various parishes, followed by a rosary procession in honor of the October Marian devotion. The evening concluded with a movie night featuring the biblical film Daniel, offering both entertainment and spiritual reflection.
The following morning began with lively sports activities, designed to promote physical fitness, social interaction, and camaraderie among the young participants. The highlight of the day was the solemn Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Katsina, joined by chaplains, liturgists, the cathedral administrator, the chancellor, and other priests. During the liturgy, each parish offered a thanksgiving tribute to the Bishop, expressing gratitude for his pastoral care and leadership.
In his homily, the Bishop addressed the children with warmth and vision, calling them “the leaders of tomorrow” and encouraging them to aspire to noble vocations. “You are the church of tomorrow,” he proclaimed, prompting a heartfelt “Amen!” from the congregation. He shared a story of children visiting orphanages and urged the young faithful to emulate such acts of generosity. Drawing from the Gospel account of the feeding of the five thousand, he emphasized the role of the young boy who offered his fish and bread, illustrating how small contributions can yield great impact. The Bishop also encouraged the children to pray for one another and proudly acknowledged a young boy from the Katsina Diocese who won a national competition, describing him as a beacon of hope.
The third phase of the celebration featured a compelling talk by Fr. Kelvin Bello on the theme “We Are Missionaries of Hope” (Romans 5:5), which inspired the children to embrace their missionary identity with courage and compassion. This was followed by a spirited quiz competition involving ten parishes, with St. Mary’s Gidan Korau emerging as the overall winner.
By and large, the HCA and YOMM Day was a resounding success — a blend of faith, learning, and joyful fellowship. The event concluded with the Bishop’s final blessing, sending the young missionaries forth with renewed zeal and spiritual strength.
