Molly Dempsey

The Natchez Democrat

Participants of Holy Family Catholic Church’s vacation Bible school had quite a large responsibility this year, &uot;to be the hands of God,&uot; according to Ora Frazier, the program’s director.

Although the program is free, students and parents were asked to make a donation to a Kenyan orphanage that is home to children affected and/or afflicted by HIV/AIDS viruses.

But the program taught more than helping others. Each morning, children came to worship with traditional Catholic prayers and then given the lesson of the day.

Eleven-year-old Pearl Morgan, who has been attending the program since she was very young, said this year children learned how Christ rose again.

This year’s Bible school theme, safari, was used to explain, &uot;as the lion is the king of the forest, Jesus is our king,&uot; Frazier said.

In addition to biblical lessons, the program’s children, of whom about only one half are Catholic, got an education in the religion itself.

&uot;We want these kids who come to us to know what we do in our church,&uot; Frazier said.

During mass on Sunday, Alvin Shelby will lead the participants in a program that will show their parents and friends what they have learned this year.