Don Bosco Simbu Technical College hosts Youth Gathering for Diocese of Kundiawa

By Bernard Kaiau

Simbu, PNG, 23 September 2018 -- The Don Bosco Simbu Technical College (DBSTC) opened its doors for 1500 young people from the Diocese of Kundiawa western deanery for a one-week youth gathering. The Catholic youth from three parishes flocked to the campus on 18 September. In a very colourful procession, the youth carried the youth cross from Bogo, one of the remote villages, to Don Bosco. It was received by Fr. Robinson, the Rector of the College, and by the Parish Priest, Fr. Peter Noglai. The youth sang hymns and praises to their Saviour Jesus, accompanied by bush bands and tambourines, and prayed devoutedly during the procession, becoming witnesses of their strong faith to all onlookers. The theme of the youth gathering was “Ol Yangpela blong Nau yumi wokabaut wantaim Kraist long wok na Pasin.(The Youth of Today, Let us walk with Christ through our work and way of life)

The youth cross has visited all three Parishes of Mingende, Kup, Kerowagi and remote sub-stations of all these parishes for the past three months in preparation for this youth gathering. In the opening Mass Fr Edwin Genovia in his homily asked the young people to be life-giving people for society and to practise Christian values. Fr Robinson, the Rector, welcomed all the youth, and in his homily he asked them to be ambassadors of Christ’s love and service to other young Christian denominations and friends in their villages and parishes. The Catholic youth participated actively in different activities like morning devotions, prayer and worship, well-animated Eucharistic celebrations, awareness programs on health and hygiene, value education classes, a debate on ‘why children are baptised at an early age’, a dance and devotional song competition, formation on proper use of social media like mobile phones and internet issues, a Bible quiz, traditional and modern dressing competition, a drawing and essay competition and many more positive activities that relate to or speak about positive Christian values, and above all how to put God at the centre of Christian life.

Commenting on the youth gathering, one of the participants, Jonny Kumba says that, “It draws more young people closer to Christ, and encourages other youths to participate. Also carrying the Cross around brings miracles and strengthens the faith of young people.”

Another youth commented “These kinds of youth gatherings help youth to be always strong witnesses of the Christian faith and help the young to acquire and learn certain values in regard to traditional and modern dressing, and the proper way of dressing when going to Church.”

One of the Youth Coordinators, Mr James Bernard from Migende Parish, shares his positive remarks about the Youth Gathering, “Through such Youth Encounters it helps the young to come out of their comfort zone, by displaying their God-given talents." He also quotes from St Teresa of Calcutta, "You can do what I can’t do, I can do what you can’t do." "Together we can develop our community, society, province and Country as a whole.”

Sunday the 23rd was the culmination of the gathering. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Anton Bal of Kundiawa Diocese in the newly built Shrine of Don Bosco. Over 3000 faithful gathered for the final thanksgiving Mass. At the end of the gathering the statue of Mary Help of Christians was presented to the Suire Parish as a gift from Don Bosco. All the mothers from the Parish received the Statue and carried it to their Parish in traditional dress, singing praises to Jesus and Mary. The gathering united all the Catholic youth of these parishes and drew them closer to Jesus Christ. It was a blessing and meaningful celebration for everyone from the first day until the end.

---

---