The Diocesan Youth Centre held its ‘All Goa Parish Youth Executive Committee Meet’ on 28th of July 2024, at St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa. This meet emphasized on the leadership skills of the youngsters, to make youth ministry more vibrant in their respective parishes. Around 300 youth representatives from the 137 parishes of the Archdiocese participated in the same.
Fr.Blaise Lobo gave joyfully welcome to all the youngsters and the program commenced with lively animations by the Central Youth Team. Fr.Henry Falcão gave a brief schema of the upcoming Solemn Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier during the months of November 2024 to January 2025. The Auxiliary Bishop most reverend Simião Purificação Fernandes honoured the gathering with his presence. His excellency unveiled the Diocesan Youth Day (DYD) logo and released the Theme Song –Be the Message of Hope.
Based on the concept of St. John Paul II, who started the journey of the Pilgrim Cross with the Icon of Mary for the World Youth Day, the Diocesan Youth Centre has brought forth a Youth Pilgrim Cross and a Portrait of Mary for the youth of Goa. The Pilgrim Cross has been thoughtfully crafted by Fr. Jovial out of 198 pieces of wood of different kinds. The portrait of Mother Mary was beautifully painted on wood by Ms. Daphney, from Seraulim. The Pilgrim Cross and the portrait of Mother Mary were solemnly blessed by the Auxiliary Bishop, which will be taken to all the 19 deaneries of the Archdiocese by the youth. His Excellency gave an encouraging message in his homily to the youth representatives ‘to be leaders of hope on the journey of faith’.
The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Fr. Leslie Noronha and Fr. Jovial Fernandes representing the youth of north Goa and south Goa respectively and Fr. Blaise, the Youth Director. An interactive session was led by the Central Youth Team and Fr. Blaise on ‘The Diocesan Youth Statutes and Guidelines’ and the DYC Planner. The parish youth were encouraged to take the initiative to do dance covers on the DYD-Theme Song in preparation for the Diocesan Youth Day which is to take place in December 2024. The Central Youth Team led the youth representatives with the dance steps of the newly released theme song. This ExCo Meet ended by handing over the Youth Pilgrim Cross & Portrait of Mother Mary to the representatives of the Canacona Deanery led by Fr. Baltazar, Deanery Priest Youth Animator.