Franklin Coutinho
AHMEDNAGAR, FEBRUARY 11, 2010: the Nasik Diocesan Youth Convention 2010 was held at St. Anne’s parish, Ahmednagar on February 6-7, 2010. 366 young people from 15 parishes participated contemplating on the “U in JesUs”/“Tu Christa Madhe”. Fr Anton, Convener and Nasik ICYM Diocesan Youth CEO welcomed the participants. To begin with the boarding girls of Sacred Heart Convent set the spiritual mood with a prayer dance and lighting of the lamp.. This was followed by lighting of lamp.
AHMEDNAGAR, FEBRUARY 11, 2010: the Nasik Diocesan Youth Convention 2010 was held at St. Anne’s parish, Ahmednagar on February 6-7, 2010. 366 young people from 15 parishes participated contemplating on the “U in JesUs”/“Tu Christa Madhe”. Fr Anton, Convener and Nasik ICYM Diocesan Youth CEO welcomed the participants. To begin with the boarding girls of Sacred Heart Convent set the spiritual mood with a prayer dance and lighting of the lamp.. This was followed by lighting of lamp.
An open air session began with the Chief Guest Dr. Suresh Pathare Director of CSRD giving a keynote address on the value of youth and the contributions they can offer to the church and society. Amidst the action,”Yuvanayak” a new youth magazine was launched by Kantilal Patole. Br. Rickson conducted icebreakers and group-building games. Paul and the music ministry team from Agashi, Virar, then led the group congregated in the church into Praise and Worship and adoration. After supper, a power packed clap-filled campfire was pioneered by Fr. Briston. The relentless Br. Rickson and energetic Br. McEnroe kept all on their toes and brought the first day to an end.
Sunday began with breakfast for all. This was followed by mass with the parishioners of St. Anne’s being present in large numbers. Fr. Prakash Bhalerao S.J.preached the homily inviting the youth to look at their lives in comparison to the values of Christ’s gospel. The message of Archbishop Felix Machado of Vasai and Bishop Allywn Baretto of Sindhudurg Diocese was read by Fr. Anton at Mass, from the “Nagarvani” magazine launched the previous day. The sky was then covered with a rainbow of rising colored balloons, party poppers and pigeons to kick-start the NDYC 2010 explosion as a moment to relish & recall.
Post lunch the youth participated in a workshop conducted by Amar and Anand of the Don Bosco Development Office, Matunga on Career Options based on the study of one’s aptitude and personality development matched with accessibility of jobs in the marketplace and economic remuneration possible. The youth found this relevant & constructive.
Fr. Bento conducted the evaluation of the NDYC 2010 with the help of the youth Animators and leaders in their Parish groups, inviting all the youth to unite to plan, decide and execute strategies of how to be more involved in the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) at many levels.
What was apparent was that the youth came in with their cares and left care-free. Fr. Anton thanked Fr. Prakash Bhalerao SJ for accompanying the youth through the entire day and a half. .. This concluded the sixth NDYC 2010 which was conceptualized in October when Fr. Anton went to Sindhudurg for the Western Region Youth Convention. Thanks to the energy, services and time given by all the various groups of parishioners in St Anne’s, Nagar, this event was a mighty success.. May our youth lead this part of the Catholic Church into a New future…This is our Human expectation, our Christian hope and Salesian dream for the young people of the Nasik diocese.