PANAJI
Around 250 youth from 25 parishes across Goa took part in the ‘Day with the Lord’ advent programme organised by the Diocesan Youth Centre (DYC) at the Holy Cross Shrine, Bambolim, on December 7 in preparation for Christmas.
The day began with joyful praise and worship, followed by an input session by Fr Snyter Pereira, Prefect of Discipline at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, who reflected on what it means to ‘stay connected to Christ.’
The Eucharist was presided over by DYC Director Fr Blaise Lobo, who spoke to the youth about abiding in Christ.
He then led the youth in a creatively meaningful offertory rite where participants offered to God the desires of their hearts, which were then put up on the cross-shaped Christmas tree to symbolise ‘abiding in Christ.’
The afternoon involved an interactive activity to facilitate the participants in wishing each other and promising to pray for one another during this season of advent until Christmas.
Fr Leonardo Pegado de Souza, parish priest of Our Lady of Bethlehem Church, Bambolim, and the resident priests at the Shrine, Fr Asterio and Fr Filipe, supported through their youth volunteers and other necessary facilities at the Shrine along with the Sisters of the Holy Family.
Young volunteers from across Goa, led by the DYC DEXCO team, coordinated the entire day.
“It was a spiritually enriching day, as shared by the participants themselves, that helped the youth to prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ this Christmas,” said Fr Blaise Lobo.
