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Don Bosco, Ongole, 17-18 January 2020: The Ongole Don Bosco community in collaboration with the diocese of Nellore organized a two-day Youth Retreat at Don Bosco, Ongole. Around 250 youth both boys and girls have participated in it. On 17th January at 10 am the Youth Retreat began with an inauguration ceremony. After the prayer dance by the Auxilium girls Fr Jose Kollithanth, the Rector of Don Bosco Ongole in his introductory words welcomed the Chief guest, Fr Thomas Santiagu, the Vice Provincial, the guests of honour Fr M. L. Anthony, the diocese youth director, Fr Illuri Hrudaya Raj, the parish priest of Ongole, Fr Balaswamy, the parish priest of St Xavier’s Church, the resource persons, priests, sisters, brothers and youngsters from different parishes of the diocese of Nellore. He briefly explained to the gathering the purpose and the necessity of coming together quoting the bible, words of Don Bosco to the young, and the words of the Holy Father Pope Francis, Abbiamo bisogno gli uni degli altri. Siamo responsibili gli uni degli altri (we all need each other and we are responsible for each other). Chief Guest, Fr Vice Provincial referring to the Christus vivit, Post- Synodal Apostolic Exhortation explained the importance of youngsters being fully alive and encouraged everyone to spend the days of the retreat meaningfully.
After the inauguration at 10:45 am, Fr Alex Jayaraj has animated the first session on the role of young people in the Church. He spoke about many great people especially the success stories of the youth and motivated them to take their examples and play their role actively in the Church. Church is our mother; we need to protect our mother as children. After the coffee break around 12 am, Fr Wilson guided the second session, on the role of young people in the society. With practical examples he enthused the youngsters and motivated them to inculcate the good habits which would help them to be examples in the society.
Fr Bhaskar shared with them the good qualities that they should inculcate to make their families happy during the third session on the role of young people in the family. During the fourth session, Fr Charan spoke on the topic “Personal Holiness”. Keeping in mind the present situation of the young people he presented the best practices to be holy and sanctified. Basing himself on the word of God, he motivated the youth to be good Christians and honest citizens.
The second day programme began with a meditation guided by Fr Sleevaraj. Around 11am, with police band, the youth gave a warm welcome to Most Rev. Dr Prakasam DD, Bishop of Nellore Diocese. The concelebrated Holy Eucharist was presided over by the bishop and attended by religious sisters, brothers and the youth of the diocese of Nellore. During the homily bishop explained the role of young people in their families, parishes and in the society. After the Holy Eucharist, Fr Jose K, the Rector of Don Bosco Ongole thanked all the people who were responsible in making this programme a meaningful one. After lunch, there were representatives from ten companies for the Job Mela, and the youth who were present showed a keen interest in attending the interviews.
