BIS #2520 YOUTH SEMINAR AT ST. ANNE'S CATHEDRAL- NASHIK

Bosco Carvalho sdb
NASHIK, AUGUST 15, 2011: The youth of St. Anne’s Cathedral Nashik attended a seminar on ‘Life and Vocation’ at the Nashik Social Service Sanstha in the Bishop’s House on Sunday, August 14, 2011. The seminar was conducted by Fr. Michael Bansode, sdb together with his dynamic youngsters from Ahmednagar.

The seminar commenced with the lighting of the lamp by Fr. Ravi Tribhuvan, the Vicar General of the Nashik Diocese, Fr. Michael Bansode, sdb, Fr. Robert Pen, sdb, Fr. Suresh Sathe, the coordinator of the Nashik Social Service Sanstha and George Amolik, the Vice President of the Parish youth group. The animator, Fr. Bansode and his team were given a warm welcome and were felicitated with a bouquet of flowers. Fr. Bansode began his session with a ‘one minute capsule’, inviting the gathering to experience the calmness reigning in the tranquil ambient. The theme of the youth seminar was that each individual person is blessed by the Almighty with the gift of life and the gift of a vocation. The objective of this assembly was to offer the youth an opportunity to spend quality time with God by reflecting on one’s vocation.
 
Through various stories, video clippings, inspirational songs sung by the choir, anecdotes, quotations and sharing of personal experiences, the organizing group focused at bolstering the youngsters to accept the talents and abilities received from God, believe in themselves and use their efforts to bring peace, friendship and love in today’s society marred by violence and corruption. After a short interval and provisions of refreshments, the animator urged the gathering to build up convictions for themselves, endure temporary sufferings and temptations and move ahead to celebrate life always. Fr. Bansode emphasized on the necessity to be happy and live life abundantly by living each day well. The youth witnessed a snippet from Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of Christ’ to experience the extent of Jesus’ love for each person. The culmination of this seminar was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist during which Fr. Michael asked the assembly to kneel before Jesus and ask him the Grace to live life abundantly.
 
The concluding words of Fr. Allwyn, the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Anne’s Cathedral, contain the essence of the seminar, that our life is a gift from God and what we make of it is our gift to God. It was very evident from the participation and involvement of the youth that they were rejuvenated and ready to accept the challenge to live each day well in the presence of the Lord.