The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman will celebrate the Day of Youth Apostolate on October 25 with a difference, as the Diocesan Youth Centre has organised an all-Goa grocery collection drive with a motto, “Let’s Arise and Be the Change.”
Youth from different parishes would annually come together on one day to celebrate the deanery youth day and once in three years, they would meet at the All Goa Diocesan Youth Day.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diocesan Youth Day celebrations this year will have a different celebration. Youth from all over Goa will be involved in a grocery collection drive andgroceries will be distributed to the Home for the Aged, Orphanages and the needy on October 25.
The youth are expected to contribute to these purchases from their pocket money or those who are working with their salary.
The youth are requested to donate groceries like rice, flour, sugar or oil to the specified centres by October 22 and these centres are St Teresa of Jesus Church, (Canacona), Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs Church (Assolna), Our Lady, Mother of the Poor Church (Tilamola), Holy Spirit Church (Margao), Holy Cross Church (Verna), St Joseph Church (Shiroda), St Rita’s Church (Maina), Sts Philip and James Church (Cortalim), St Andrew’s Church (Goa-Velha), Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church (Panaji), Holy Family Church (Marcela), St Alex Church (Calangute), St Thomas Church (Aldona), St Jerome’s Church (Mapusa), St Anthony’s Church (Vagator) and Our Lady of Miracles Church (Morjim).
“The words of Pope Francis in the Post-Synodal apostolic exhortation, 'Christus Vivit', meaning, Christ is alive, inspired me to get on with this 'All Goa grocery drive',” explained Fr Savio D’souza, Director of Diocesan Youth Centre.
He said that in this exhortation, Pope Francis encourages youngsters, to make a difference in the world and not be mere spectators from the balcony.
“During the pandemic, we came out but with caution and abiding by all the safety norms to pitch in and reach out especially to the downtrodden and those struggling to make ends meet,” Fr D'Souza said.
Speaking on the difficulties of implementing the grocery collection drive, Fr D'Souza said, “it's an ardent task keeping in mind the restrictions we're facing but I believe in the young, who through their networking, zeal and enthusiasm and most importantly, their love for humanity will give this venture that much needed push and simultaneously make them 'Alive like Christ'.”
The all-Goa grocery collection drive of the Diocesan Youth Centre has been hailed by youth in different parts of the State.
Russel Stalin Da Cruz, a parish youth of Bom Jesus Church, Nachinola and Diocesan Youth Centre’s executive member, appealed to the parish youth to make drive a great success and strive to do the best for those in need.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for youth to be more concerned towards our fellow humans by carrying out this activity all by ourselves and keep in mind that we need to reach out to the needy and the less fortunate ones whenever possible and to the best of our ability,” said Da Cruz.
Steefni Ema Cruz, a parish youth of Our Lady of Grace Church, Margao feels the hustle and bustle and the excitement that the Diocesan Youth day brings will definitely be missed.
“However, this year's celebration will give me a more personal satisfaction. The excitement of being a part of an all-Goa event such as this makes me feel like I am an important collaborator in this mission to make a difference in someone's life.”
“Receiving blessings from someone somewhere and being connected through prayer and a personal touch is also a celebration on it's own,” she added.
