The Swindon Youth Group started with just a handful of youth in 2017 and has now grown into a strong and lively group focused on activities in different areas
Fr Lucas Rodrigues along with members of the Swindon Youth Group during a pilgrimage to Medjugorje.
THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
The Goan Chaplaincy in London is one mission of the Pilar Society to provide pastoral care to Goans in Swindon and Reading. The Swindon Youth Group (SYG) is a part of this mission set up by Fr Lucas Rodrigues to reach out to the youth in Swindon and elsewhere.
The SYG has become a core pillar and foundation for the youth to come together, calling them to the faith and helping them be followers of Jesus. The SYG started with just a handful of youth in 2017 and has now grown into a strong and lively group focused on activities in different areas.
ARRIVAL
Before moving to Swindon, Fr Lucas Rodrigues served in the Sts Peter and Paul Parish at Mitcham for 12 years. During this time, he would visit Swindon for various Masses, counselling and other services.
At the request of the Superior General of the Pilar Society, Fr Rodrigues interacted with Bishop Declan Ronan Lang in 2014-15 and asked if he could offer them a parish and if they could establish a house for the Pilar Society and the Chaplaincy.
“In order to cater to thousands of Goan in Swindon, Bishop Declan invited us in 2016 to take up the Parish of Sacred Heart at Royal Wootton Bassett. In 2017, I moved to Royal Wootton Bassett and was appointed parish priest. The Goan Chaplaincy of Swindon and Reading was established on April 21, 2017, and I was appointed Goan Chaplain,” said Fr Rodrigues.
“I realised the importance of getting young people together. With our background as Pilar Fathers, we were able to understand the youth, both Goan and British. I was always connected with the youth as I had started the Youth Club, Junior Club and Altar Servers Club in Mitcham.”
CONNECT
In his very first month at Royal Wootton Bassett, Fr Rodrigues assembled a handful of youth in and around the parish.
“The first ministry I took over was the youth ministry. Our youth are talented, vibrant and religious, some willing to commit to Church service. But there is also a dark side that this culture and freedom may have to offer. I experienced young people having tough times, feeling lost and searching for answers. A few were caught by the temptation of drugs and some had taken to gambling.”
“My first priority was to reach out to such youth by creating awareness of the wider dangers of secular society. After setting up a core youth team, I began organising monthly activities, which included socialising, gospel messages, adoration and talks, bringing them closer to church. The SYG core group meets every fortnight for prayer and planning,” said Fr Rodrigues.
“I realised the youth needed someone to guide and motivate them to be rooted in Jesus. I would conduct outings, picnics, pilgrimages as part of the Youth Club activities.”
“For our monthly meetings in Swindon, we now have around 200 youth in attendance, while these numbers can swell to about 500 youth at bigger events. We invite international speakers for our annual youth conventions in Swindon. Since we do not get financial support from the government, we generate funds from the Goan Chaplaincy and well-wishers from the Goan community,” he added.
FOCUS
Fr Rodrigues said the focus is to gather the youth in Swindon and surrounding areas at events, to strengthen their faith and to safeguard them from vices.
“These events occur in different forms, ranging from smaller events to annual conventions. These are targeted at all young people, not just school children but young working adults up to 35 years.”
“Through these events, the priority is to ensure that the youth are rooted in Christ. The SYG regularly hosts activities like catechism classes, bible studies and night vigils. The SYG also has its own gospel band ‘Desert Rain’, dedicated to the music ministry through praise and worship,” said Fr Rodrigues.
Over the past six years, the SYG's outreach has increased with this year's annual youth convention ‘Cast Into The Deep’ drawing over 500 youth.
The SYG has also participated in raising funds for the Pilar Fathers mission, local charities and reaching out to the homeless and vulnerable in Swindon.
“During Christmas, I take the youth to visit the homeless in Swindon and elsewhere. Having a chat, providing clothing and hot meals to the homeless is sheer joy. The purpose is not only showing love and care for those on the streets, but for the youth to know about the real meaning of Christmas and mission of Jesus to the lost, last and least.”
“The SYG is constantly seeking ways to call every young person to the faith. My next endeavour is to set up a football tournament for young people. This year, the Swindon youth team has been nominated for the ‘Mast The Magazine’ awards,” says Fr Rodrigues.
