Highlights Of All Goa Diocesan Youth Retreat

On 8th of March 2020, the Mormugao Deanery Youth, including youth from our Chicalim parish participated in the Youth Retreat, organised by the Diocesan Youth Centre (DYC) and held at St. Jose Vaz Retreat Centre, Old Goa. For most of us from Chicalim, it was the first time we attended a Deanery Level Youth Retreat and drew the participation of nearly 26 young people.

At St. Joseph Vaz Retreat Center

We reached the venue pretty early and the Deanery Youth Animators gave us a warm welcome. We quickly completed our registrations and were rewarded with snacks and light refreshments. While the rest of the youth from the various other Deaneries arrived, we had some spare time, which we used to walk around the venue and clicked pictures with our friends.

All for The Lord

The Retreat took off with a welcome animation session, which helped us to get energized. We learned a few songs which we tried out amongst ourselves.

There were no formal sessions for the Retreat but instead, there were several innovative activities. There was a Way of the Cross, where at each Station, we were encouraged to reflect amongst ourselves by way of a skit, dance and or other activities. Through these activities, we learnt to reflect on ourselves. We even got an opportunity to exchange our life experiences with someone, whom we did not know earlier.

Post lunch, we had another animation session. Thereafter, Fr. Ramiro Luis, spoke about the “Confession”. This encouraged us to make a beeline for the Confessionals, which were ably manned by around 15 priests.

While the Confessions were on, the other participants were encouraged to approach the huge Cross erected near the stage, to come and spend time in prayer. As we reflected on our sins and God’s Mercy, a team led by Fr. Savio sang beautiful hymns, which primarily delved on how great is our God.

At St. Joseph Vaz Retreat Center

Our retreat concluded with an Eucharistic celebration by Deanery Animators, Fr. Maurice Colaco (Raia), Fr. Valentine Alvares (Margao) and Fr. Joao Mascarenhas (Old Goa).

A warm word of praise and gratitude to all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, especially the DYC animators, for all their efforts for the smooth conduct of the Youth Retreat.

SFX Chicalim Youth