They arrived at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels mostly by bus, some by subway and a few by walking --- more than 4,000 Catholic elementary and junior high students from Los Angeles County, Oxnard and Camarillo, all present Oct. 21 for the 15th annual Holy Childhood Association's Catholic Youth Appreciation Day.

By 10 a.m. sharp they were ready to participate in the largest Mass for children nationwide --- and most likely, worldwide, according to Msgr. Terrance Fleming, archdiocesan director of the mission office and principal celebrant.

"We all like to be part of history and today you are. This is the largest gathering of school students gathered for Holy Childhood celebration in the United States and maybe in the world," said Msgr. Fleming as he began his homily.

"I wish you could see what I see," he continued. "This is about kids praying for kids because there are kids that cannot even enjoy a clean floor," he added, as he looked to a group of kids sitting on the floor right in front of the altar.

Walking down the aisle while drawing the children's attention to John Nava's tapestries adorning the Cathedral walls, Msgr. Fleming noted. "These are tapestries of families, men and women who led our church. Who's gonna lead our church in the future?"

Pointing to the children in two of the tapestries, he said, "They represent our children meeting the needs of other children --- and that is our mission."

Returning to the sanctuary, he asked Isabella Ernst, a third grade student at St. Mary Magdalene School, Camarillo, to stand up. Holding a tall jar, Isabella explained how one day she decided to raise money for the missions: by carrying the jar to school and asking people for money. The previous week she had raised $220.50.

Msgr. Fleming explained how children with more resources can sacrifice their means to help the less fortunate. He shared his excitement of working and supporting third-world countries through the mission office. "We care so much that we celebrate," he said.

The Appreciation Day, which also included lunch, dance and music on the Cathedral's plaza, is held annually following World Mission Sunday, celebrated this year on Oct. 18. HCA is a Pontifical Mission Society.

Rita Leon, a third grader at St. Turibius School, Los Angeles, liked the idea of raising money. "I would give it to hospitals and churches for people who are dying and need blood," she said. "And for kids with cancer who need more medicines."

She was part of a group of 14 third-graders that for the first time visited the Cathedral --- a rare trip for a school that doesn't take such trips for "lack of resources," teacher Ysel Torres told The Tidings. Nevertheless, little by little, St. Turibius' students are collecting money, placing donations in a jar they have in the classroom for this year's mission in Thailand, Nepal and Senegal.

At the end of the Mass, Msgr. Fleming congratulated the top ten "missionary schools" in the archdiocese, led by St. Helen in South Gate, where students collected more than $4,500.

Visiting from the Archdiocese of New York was Msgr. John Kozar, national director of Pontifical Mission Societies, who concelebrated the Mass. He told The Tidings the activity is not just about raising money, but encouraging the children's interaction and outreaching efforts to support other children.

"You are never too young to learn to sacrifice," said Msgr. Kozar. "They are reaching out in prayer and learning that they don't have to wait till the future, they can do it now."

The Mass in Los Angeles, he added, "is offering the nation a model that other churches can replicate."

For more information on missions, call the mission office, (213) 637-7501 or email missionoffice@la-archdiocese.org. For the Holy Childhood Association, visit www.hcakids.org or call (213) 637-7229.