Youth Retreat: “Receive in Jesus name"
Three Day Youth Retreat entitled “Receive in Jesus name" was held at Sannidhi, Shimoga Diocesan Pastoral Centre from Saturday 30th of September 2023. Hundred participants coming from different parishes took active part in the retreat. Fr. Roman Pinto, Br Ajin Joseph, Fr Edwin Philip SJ, Fr. Pius D'Souza animated the retreat. The retreat began with a prayer service and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
Various topics applicable to life and day to day events were brought in. This included the sacrament of reconciliation, forgiveness and love, inner healing, alcoholism and drugs, the practice of chastity and purity in life, friendship, abortion and value to life, tendency to masturbation, surrogacy and over population. Spiritual topics like love of God, Discernment of Spirits, prayer and personal prayer, works of charity, devotion to Mary and Rosary were brought in.
The input sessions of Br Ajin Joseph were on addiction, pornography, falling in love and sexuality. Fr. Roman Pinto explained the concept of family, while Fr. Edwin Philip SJ gave sessions on attitude and love, discernment. Fr Pius D’Souza on Forgiveness and preciousness of every individual along with Christian values. The parents of the youth were invited to witness the positive changes in their children. Overall, the ‘Receive’ retreat was an enlightening and take part in the prayer sessions.
The youth too active interest in adoration, confessions and Holy Eucharist. MrJohn Lobo. Fr. Paul Crasta also helped in the sessions on intercessory prayer. The youth sessions brought great awareness among the youth in religious and social values. The concluding Eucharist and evaluation showed their deeper need for inner healing and religious build up.
