Gabutu, Port Moresby: A camp for the Catholic youths of deanery one of the Archdiocese of Port Moresby was held with the objective to help young people discern in mind their vocation in life and to take up the call willingly to serve.
It was an overnight program held from 27th-28th November 2021, at the Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu with the theme, “To know our Vocation is to Love and Imitate Mother Mary”. Organized by Parish Youth Leaders and executives from Deanery One, the program was designed to have activities and talks that centred on the story of Mary answering to God’s Call.
The camp had over 100 youths in attendance representing four out of five Parishes that make up the Deanery. They were St. Mary Cathedral, Town; St. Michael Parish, Hanuabada; Christ the King Parish, Badili and Mary Help of Christians Parish, Sabama.
Altogether were four sessions that focused on the Blessed Virgin Mary and who a Mother is; Vocation and being aware of your discernment; Laity and Liturgy and Discernment and finding your calling as you also find out who you are. These sessions were facilitated by Mr Steele Joe, a catechist from the Catholic Theological Institute in Bomana, Ms Emily, a volunteer at DBTS, Fr Justin SVD, the parish priest from St Michael’s Parish Hanuabada and Vicar General of the Archdiocese and Fr Pedro, SDB, the Dean of the Deanery and the Rector of Don Bosco Technical School.
Workshops were also held with the youth’s involvement in creative exercises, teamwork and group discussions that helped them critically think and produce what they related to in their lives. There were also moments of prayer and Confession, interactive games, a Mini Way of the Cross, singing and energizers to keep the youths happily involved in the different activities planned out for each day.
Parish Priest of Mary Help of Christians, Fr. Pedro Sachitula sdb, said he was pleased with the initiative of those involved to organize the program and said as Parish Priests they are ready to support the youth. He was also hopeful that the New Year might bring about more programs to get more young people involved, especially during the major seasons of the liturgical calendar.
Youth Leader for St. Michael Parish, Donald Willie said the program was made purposely for our young people to be a part of and whilst participating they can be able to recognize their call to serve.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean they become priests and religious, they could be the voices of community empowerment or youth development. As long as they find something positive to do for themselves and their communities”, he said.
The youth camp concluded with a Eucharistic Mass celebrated in the DBTS Chapel on Sunday 28th November and was presided over by His Eminence Sir John Cardinal Ribat. He expressed his satisfaction and joy in the achievements of the program by the organizers and the young people who attended.
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