Diocese launches ‘Youth on Mission’

GUYANA

The Youth on Mission (YOM) programme, an initiative aimed at the formation of Catholic youth between the ages of 18–25, was launched at the Bishop’s residence in Georgetown, November 9. It will run for about six months to a year.

Already in existence in Latin America, YOM is being encouraged by the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) as part of its commitment to promote the missionary formation of the family, focusing on children and youth.

Themed Young Disciples in Action, the programme aims to have a formation segment for the youths interspersed with and culminating in mission visits to parishes.

According to a report in the diocesan weekly Catholic Standard, the goal is “to provide experiences of faith and enkindle a consciousness and desire for Christian living” and for youths to conduct mission visits in the outlying areas. The hope of these visits is that the faith experience will be of such impact that young people will open their hearts, be empowered to service, renew their commitment, and change the lives of participants and their peers whom they will be visiting.

A core group of young people from select parishes met with Bishop Francis Alleyne; Rock Beharry, local PMS director; Angie Sukhai, head of Catechesis; and Roxanne Douglas, co-ordinator of the Diocesan Youth Office. This group will continue meeting at the Bishop’s residence on Saturdays to plan the programme.

Bishop Alleyne thanked the young people for responding positively to the initiative and prayed that the Holy Spirit continue to guide them.