Youth Training Programme

Creating Leaders - Virar Alex Lokanathan Fr. Johnson Menezes, the director of the youth of the Vasai diocese was extremely impressed by the way the youth group was functioning in our parish at Virar. He mentioned that many youth groups were limping and that with some guidance they would do well. The idea of having the training programme was born during this discussion. The training programme was held on Sunday, August 23 from 9.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. Each parish was asked to send 5 potential youth leaders and 2 youth animators. There were 53 members present for the programme. The main thrust of the programme was to equip the youth with a working knowledge of how to conduct youth meetings and organize various activities in the parish. Each session had 2 parts. Firstly, there was an input session. Next, it was followed by putting the acquired knowledge into practice. Fr. Gregory initiated the youth into prayer and conducted a session on ‘being a prophet’. Fr. Edwin Colaco, drawing from his rich experience of guiding youth groups was at his very best as he taught how to prepare action songs, value games and sessions which is essential to a youth meeting. He then explained the importance of the agenda forms, registration forms and break forms for a better and smoother running of the youth groups. Finally, Fr. Blany Pinto emphasized the need of a vision for every youth group. He then proceeded on to explain how to plan, execute and evaluate the various youth activities. The programme ended with Fr. Johnson Menezes thanking the Salesians for animating the youth. The youth returned back to their parishes with great satisfaction a resolve that they would leave no stone unturned to make their youth groups a vibrant one.