The Holy Childhood Association Liturgy, an annual celebration of students, teachers and parents dedicated to serving less fortunate children around the world, took place Oct. 25 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

"The Holy Childhood Association makes all of us, especially children, aware of other children worldwide who have needs," said Msgr. Terrence Fleming, director of the Archdiocesan Mission Office, who presided at the Mass attended by more than 2,000 children, teachers and parents from Catholic schools and parishes.

"Our missionary activity is alive, as we see by the contributions you have made in support of it," Msgr. Fleming told the children in his homily. "You make sacrifices in order to raise and donate money that helps children all over the world, in places you may never visit, and that is a wonderful sign of your faith in Jesus. We thank you for your generosity."

He cited Holy Childhood Association-supported efforts in Tijuana, spurred by reports of an infant who froze to death for lack of blankets and shelter. Through "Operation Coverup," the HCA raised $55,000 to help purchase blankets, repair leaky roofs and provide insulation against the cold for poverty-stricken families and homes in the area.

The Holy Childhood Association, founded in 1843, is one of four pontifical missionary societies working to gather support for the efforts of the church in more than 1,100 mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America. Throughout the year, parish schools and religious education programs in the archdiocese learn about countries in which the HCA ministers, and supports it work through fundraising projects.

Also at the liturgy, first-grader Jaelen Espiritu of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Monterey Park was honored for his drawing that was selected in the HCA's annual national Christmas Artwork Contest to be featured on its 2006 Christmas Cards. Entries for the 2006-07 contest are now being accepted; for information, visit http://www.holychildhoodusa.org/.

---Mike Nelson