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PARISH YOUTH DAY AT GOSPADU

It was another day to count the blessings of God on Gospadu mission for the grace-filled day of the youth to come together and celebrate life in the campus. It was the annual gathering for the youth of St. Anthony’s Church, Gospadu which was held on 1st of October, 2022 for the convenience of all youth to participate in the Parish Youth Day programme. The youth group is named after St. Francis of Assisi and thus the event was also the 6th anniversary of its inception. The parish is proud to have the enthusiastic and energetic youth who came together to partake in the celebration from the substations of the Parish. The number of participants for the day totalled 81 apart from those who helped out for the programme. 

After the registration of the participants from 9.00 am the youth gathered in the Church and the day began with the introduction and instructions by the Parish Priest Fr. Showri Raju to the youth for the day and next day. Then the parish priest officially welcomed the resource persons of the day Rev. Fr. Chandra Sekhar TOR and Rev. Sr. Kalpana FMSC on behalf of the Parish to animate the day. The first part of the half day Fr. Chandra spoke “on Crisis of youth facing today: Seeking for identity, Choice making and the Struggle for satisfaction” and he said all these will be sold by giving God first priority in the prime age of life. Second half Rev. Sr. Kalpana spoke on Goal of life: How to discover and to tread the path towards life, the current situation of the youth in the parish and practical means to realize and achieve goal. Thirdly prior to the Eucharist, Rev. Fr. Chinnappa spoke practical means to approach life of faith and sacraments.  The youth, comprising of studying and working paid attention quite well and patiently followed by Eucharistic celebration and sumptuous meal. In the afternoon, volley ball and throw ball matches were held village wise in order to foster the unity of youth in their respective villages. At the end of the day, there was presentation of Prize distribution and munching of Snacks. The day was concluded with few instructions for the next day (2nd October, Sunday). 

The next day along with the faithful of the parish from all the substations, the mass is being offered especially for the youth and their future. The day began with the procession from the grotto of the parish with the statue of St. Francis of Assisi in which all the faithful participated devoutly towards the Church. The youth proceeded before the celebrants with the candles and placed at the altar. The main celebrant of the feast day mass was Rev. Fr. Praveen OFM Capuchin, the Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Shrine, Chaparevula and he was also the former provincial of the OFM Campuchins. It was a grate occasion for all the parishioners as the parish celebrated the feast of St. Francis of Assisi in anticipation. Thus, the second day was ended with the thanksgiving to God after the mass for all the great efforts taken by various people prior to the Youth Day. The parish is greatly indebted to parish FMSC sisters who began the preparations much in advance along with the volunteers. A special thanks especially to the OFM Administration to nurture the youth of the day and encouraged in every possible way for the last twenty years in terms of educational help. We give to God the prime place above all for all the good things that happened during the two days especially for the good weather in an unpredictable time. 

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