SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS MAKE A FIELD TRIP TO THE CONVENT

Article by Cristine Liew
and photos by Stuart Lai
Tawau : A group of 30 Sunday school students aged 11 and 12 years together with their teachers visited St. Clare's Convent of Holy Trinity Parish for the first time. Weeks before, students were given a lesson on the life of Saint Clare. It was indeed most appropriate as a reinforcement to the lesson by making a field trip to the Convent named after the Saint.

The activity, a methodology involving art and environment, a part of creative catechesis was initiated by the Sunday School teachers led by Cristine Liew on 3rd July. A few parents were present to lend support to the students and teachers.

The tour began at 10.00 am where Sr Liza Augustine fsic who is the local animator of the convent welcomed and greeted the group with much joy. She shared on the calling and religious life. She hoped that some of them would be chosen to serve the Lord and the Church.

She said, "I hope that someday when you are grown up, you will consider and learn to listen what our loving Father, our God wants you to be and perhaps there will be among you who may want to join the religious order or becoming a priest. The need of Chinese religious and priests is crucial  to cater to the needs of the Chinese community."

  

After the session, the students made a tour of the Convent led by Sr Liza fsic who gave a briefing of the Convent, its background and development. Next, all students were invited to pray at the Chapel of the Convent. She encouraged them to make three wishes followed  by reciting three times the Hail Mary.

The students ended their visit by saying the Rosary prayer for the intention of the Pope at the Grotto of the Convent.

The spiritual tour had helped to enhance their knowledge of St Clare and religious life. The exposure is an opportunity for them to remember the religious Sisters who live among them in the community.