Dear Parents and Children,

Peace be with you! I would like to share with you some reflections about the faith formation of our beloved children.

We grow in our faith through a variety of experiences from our childhood. They include family prayer at home, participation in religious activities in the Church especially in our active involvement in Church worship. As we grow in our faith, we are given a greater incentive to be at the service of others. Eventually we become real heralds of the Good News.

The primary context for children's faith formation is in the family, at home. There children get an opportunity to witness the living faith and the fervent application of it in their daily lives. Parents themselves transmit the faith experience they have with living testimonies from their own life. The children are bound to follow the good example of their parents in forming their own life of faith. This communication helps them to establish and to maintain their relationship with God. We foster faith in children through proper interpretation of the Bible, tradition, liturgical and sacramental celebrations. We share the story of Christ in the light of specific human experiences, reflecting upon its meaning within the community and responding in faith through worship and service.

As we grow up, faith formation is a journey into discipleship with Jesus. Just as Jesus called his disciples to follow him most intimately, children receive a similar call for a deeper relationship with him. This is how we are gradually inducted into the large community of believers called the Church. This discipleship, is further enhanced by faith practices, such as active participation in the liturgy, sharing the Word of God and a greater readiness to serve our fellow men in and outside the Church community.

Faith experience reaches its climax when we are able to translate its content into our daily lives. This practical application will help us to maintain a sense of morality in our attitudes, actions and words. This kind of faith formation programs will definitely help our children to embrace their faith with full conviction and with many graces making it our own. Hence this planning needs to be appreciated and encouraged. May I offer my wholehearted support for this Faith Formation program and May God bless the organizers and the participants.

Bishop Camillo Ballin, mccj
Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait