Canossaville Heartbeat – Vol 32
Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
At the Canossian Village, the celebration of children holds a significance as it reflects our beliefs of love, community and holistic formation of the child that lie at the heart of our mission. This year, there were different platforms in which we celebrated our talented children from the Village.
One momentous event was the visit of Pope Francis to Singapore, which was a very important and meaningful occasion for the Catholic community and a source of great joy for all at the Canossian Village. Our children were so actively involved, be it in the Papal Mass choir, the welcoming of the Pope and the Papal Art Competition.
The Papal Art Competition: Celebrating Creativity and Faith
One aspect of this year’s celebration of our children in the lead up to Children’s Day was the Papal Art Competition, where the children at the Canossian Village participated in creating artwork inspired by the theme for the Pope’s visit – Unity and Hope. While this may have been a Catholic primary schools’ competition in Singapore, our preschoolers from Canossaville Preschool also had an opportunity to participate in it. They were given guidance through a little lesson and some templates to express their hopes for the visit of the Holy Father.
It was heartwarming to see how the children captured these profound themes through vibrant colours, symbolic imagery and heart-touching simplicity. For many of them, it was an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the Pope’s visit and what his message meant to them personally. We are so proud of our Canossa Catholic Primary School (CCPS) children! Out of more than 250 pieces, 20 best entries were picked for the Holy Father’s residence in Singapore and 4 were from CCPS, including the overall winner!
Sports Day with Parents: Bonding Through Play
A key event of the Children’s Day celebrations was the Canossaville Sports Day, which involved the preschoolers and their parents. This year’s games were designed to emphasise the importance of family bonding through play.
For the preschoolers, it was an opportunity to share a fun-filled day with their parents, experiencing the joy of physical activity while learning to take turns and play together. For the parents, it was a chance to engage with their children in a happy setting, deepening their bonds in ways that goes beyond the routine of daily life. These precious moments are a reminder of how essential it is for parents to be present – physically, emotionally and actively – in their children’s lives. I am sure the parents feel proud of how much their children have grown as they watch them play some of the games like basketball and soccer, while participating in a few of the other stations.
Conclusion: Our Call
As Canossian Educators, Mother Foundress tells us that the conduct of one’s whole life is dependent on education. Hence, the work we do is purposeful as we raise God’s beloved children. Psalm 127:3 directs us that children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him and we are reminded of the profound blessing that children are in our lives. They are not just the future but a gift, entrusted to us to nurture, love and form especially their characters. Each child carries within them the potential to reflect God’s grace, wisdom and joy in the world. As stewards of this vocation, we raise them well by cultivating their talents and instilling in them values that reflect God’s love. Children remind us of the beauty of life’s journey, the joy of discovery and the power of hope. They are living testaments to God’s promise and through them, His love continues to flourish across generations.