Udupi Diocese Launches Year of Youth with Enthusiasm
Udupi: The Year of Youth was inaugurated in the diocese of Udupi on 31 December during the New Year Eve mass. The year of Youth will run from 1 Jan 2019 to 31 December 2019.
The Bishop of Udupi, Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo inaugurated the Year of Youth at the Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur. Meanwhile, the Year of youth was inaugurated in all the 52 parishes of the diocese. The youth with the parish priest of their parish launched the year of youth with great enthusiasm. The inauguration was done by unveiling the Year of Youth 2019 Logo.
Inaugurating the year of the youth, the Bishop said, “Dear young people, The time has come for the Church to pass on the cudgel of blessings to you. It is our desire to accompany you on your life journey to maturity so that, through a process of discernment, you may come to discover your plan for life and to realize it with joy. It is our wish that you may experience throughout this year and beyond, a deeper encounter with God and neighbour and to actively participate in the transformation of the society and the Church.
However, the challenges of globalization, technological dominance, as well as economic and social hardships cannot be overlooked in the discovery of your vocation. The Church wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith, even your doubts and criticism. It is only then the Church can inspire and accompany you adequately on your life journey to maturity. May Mary, the mother of God, intercede for you.”
“Accompaniment of the Church in the Life journey of Young People” is the theme for the entire year. In responding to the Synod of Bishops on Young people which was held from 3 to 28 October, 2018, the diocese has announced the year of the youth.
To celebrate the year of the youth meaningfully, the youth commission of the diocese has already prepared an action plan with the help of youth and it has been sent to all the parishes. For every month, an individual theme is chosen corresponding to the annual theme. A short glimpse is as follows:
January – YOYO4 Christ – to meet individual youth
February – MAD (Make a Difference) – Awareness month
March – SWAG (Saved with amazing grace) – Spiritual formation
April – Enter the Journey – Pilgrimage
May – EXPRO – Life Exposure Programmes
June – Laudato Si – Care for Creation
July –friction – Talents Day
August – Amchi Samskrati – Heritage of Konkani Language & Culture
September – Amoris Laetitia – Family and Youth
October – Mission Possible – Youth in the Mission of Christ
November – You Too – Youth and Holiness
December – Encounter – Concluding ceremony
Various activities and programmes are suggested every month and at the end of the year of youth, the best 5 units will be awarded with the Trophy of YoYo2k19.