What is it?

The Holy Childhood Association (HCA) offers young Catholics an opportunity to grow in their faith through mission education, sacrifice and service for others. HCA helps to animate children in kindergarten through eighth grade to a universal missionary spirit and to gather funds from these young people for the support of mission dioceses that serve the poorest of the world’s children. A Pontifical Mission Society, HCA focuses entirely on the concept of children helping children throughout the world.

What type of resources does HCA offer?

• Lesson plans and prayer services for mission education during Advent and Lent
• Reproducibles focused on mission and kids making a difference in the world
• Mission Magazine
• Testimonials of kids helping kids
• Ideas for Catholic Schools Week
• Materials for HCA’s National Prayer Week
• HCA “Around the World” geography-based mission education program
• Prayer cards and World Mission Rosary

Information about all of these resources can be found at www.onefamilyinmission.org/hca.html

What are some fun ways to get involved?

• Christmas Artwork Contest: Your students could see their artwork appear as Christmas e-greetings and displayed at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.! For further details regarding submission deadlines, where to send the artwork, and how the process works, please visit www.hcakids.org.

• It’s Our World!: You can help your students become HCA Members! Being a member means that students commit to helping children around the world and receive newsletters with information about the missions. As an educator or parent, you also receive an accompanying guide with prayers and activities.
• Check out Polly’s Place: Polly’s Place is the web-based interactive community for kids. Parents and educators can visit the site with their children to play games, learn about children in the missions, and get involved in making a difference.

All of this, and more, can be found at The Holy Childhood Association webpage.