Suburban youth ‘tell it like it is’

Youth of the Suburban Vicariate gathered at the Mt Lambert Parish Hall last Sunday to ‘Tell It Like It Is’—a title given to their Youth Assembly and Carnival event. Hosted by the Suburban Vicariate Youth Council (SUVY) the aim of the event was to review the way in which the Church supports and meets the needs of youth and young adults.

The assembly began at 9 a.m. with praise and worship led by St Michael’s, Maracas Valley. A presentation by Dr Andrea Hutchinson of Bourg Mulatresse RC followed. She told the young people they had the power to make a difference in society and to not be afraid of being “game changers”.

Convened into smaller groups, the youth participated in discussions surrounding faith, sexuality, and social issues. Questions on these and other topics were then put to a panel comprising Fr Jayson Grell FMI, Sr Sandra Xavier OP, Br Colin Jackson CSSp, seminarian Stephan Alexander, Leela Ramdeen, chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice, and youth leader Darrion Narine.

Surveys were also conducted to help SUVY identify the gaps regarding support and care for the youth and young adults within the suburban community.  SUVY hopes to establish the issues to be given priority and address them as soon as possible.

The assembly also welcomed a visit from Archbishop Jason Gordon who delivered a short address and was able to speak with some of young people individually.

The Carnival competition followed after the lunch break and included performances of gospelypso, calypso, soca and ole mas. – Adapted from a report submitted by Cindy Narine, Youth Moderator, Suburban Vicariate