By Fr Adolf Washington –
Bengaluru: “Ever since this Corona virus outbreak, I whisper a prayer whenever I hear the siren of an ambulance,” says 11-year old Aaron who has cultivated a habit of saving all the pocket-money he gets on various occasions and offering it to his Parish (Our Lady of the Assumption) in Rajajinagar on the feast day, August 15th which is also his birthday.
When asked if his parents motivated him to do this, he quipped, “No. I always learnt from the life-example of my parents and much from Catechism classes too about charity”.
His parish priest Fr. Prem Arockianathan says, “Aaron is regular to Church and catechism and even received top prizes continuously at the Archdiocesan level catechism examinations”.
Aaron who studies in the Jesuit-managed St. Joseph’s Boys School has won many awards for various competitions.
Smitha and Paulson and their only child never miss reciting the rosary and daily prayers at home.
On August 15th, 2018, he received a gift from the Archbishop in appreciation for his excellence in Catechism and acts of charity. Aaron says “This year I gave away my collection immediately as soon the Corona pandemic broke-out”. He normally gives his savings on the parish feast day.
When asked by this correspondent as to how much he saves in a year, he chuckles saying, “I don’t count the collection, I just hand over my saving-box collection to the parish priest for helping the poor”
His mother Smitha says, “We too don’t know how much he saves, but it could be around Rs 2000. But we are very happy that he has a heart for the poor and great love for the Church”. Aaron says he spends more than half-hour reading the Bible daily and feels very inspired and Blessed.
Bengaluru Archbishop Most Rev Dr Peter Machado conveyed his blessings upon the family and wished, “May more children grow in deep faith and a spirit of charity”.