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700 students at Northern Vicariate Annual Youth Mission Rally

By Janae Webster and Keneisha Belfon

Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl of Holy Name Convent, Port of Spain

On Monday, October 14, a vibrant gathering of students from various primary and secondary schools filled St Finbar’s RC Church, Diego Martin for the Northern Vicariate Annual Youth Mission Rally 2024. This year’s theme, Go Invite Everyone to the Banquet, was inspired by Matthew 22:9, setting the tone for a day of inspiration and community.

The rally was opened by Janae Webster, Head Girl of Holy Name Convent, and Brannon Ng Wai, Head Prefect of St Mary’s College, who served as the mistress and master of ceremonies.

The event began with a warm welcome from Deborah de Rosia, Archdiocesan Directress, Pontifical Mission Societies, who encouraged attendees to embrace their roles as children of God and become missionaries like Peter the Apostle. She urged everyone to participate in more youth rallies in the future and to consider making sacrifices in their lives.

Following this, the Praise and Worship session was led by the 424 Music Ministry. The Holy Spirit moved through the church as the singers and instrumentalists filled the space with their beautiful vocals.

The rally featured two impactful speakers, Fr Jesse Maingot OP and Antoni Mannette. Fr Maingot posed thought-provoking questions: “Who is Jesus Christ?” and “Who is the man that walked on water?”

A primary school student brilliantly responded that He is our Saviour. Fr Maingot referenced the Last Supper, emphasising that Jesus’ love is the greatest gift in our lives due to His sacrifice for our salvation. He concluded with a powerful quote: “My faith is not a fiction; it is real.”

Antoni Mannette shared her journey and struggles with the concept of  “perfection.” She quoted St Paul, highlighting that as sinners, we often wish to do the right thing but find it challenging.

Mannette encouraged attendees to attend Mass regularly, participate in Adoration, and pray the rosary. She reminded everyone that God has a unique calling for each of us and that His Son, Jesus Christ, will save us.

Schools showcased presentations centred on the rally’s theme through a variety of musical performances. Sacred Heart Boys’ RC performed ‘Go Tell Everyone,’ while Corpus Christi College sang ‘Here I Am Lord’. St Theresa Girls’ RC brought to life ‘Send Me Out’, and St Francis Girls’ RC shared their rendition of ‘We Come to Your Feast’. Additionally, Our Lady of Laventille RC delivered a vibrant performance of  ‘When Jesus Says Yes’ on the steelpan.

The Mission Rosary, along with meditations for each decade, was shared among numerous schools, involving students from both primary and secondary levels.

The rally concluded with a Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Matthew d’Hereaux. The Prayers of the Faithful were led by students from Sacred Heart Girls’ RC; Corpus Christi College; Point Cumana RC; St. Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain; Holy Name Convent, Port of Spain; St Theresa Girls’ RC; Tranquility Government Secondary; St Anthony’s College and St James Secondary.

In his homily, Fr d’Hereaux expressed that seeing students from so many schools present gave him hope for the future. He spoke about the “glow, grow, and go” foods that sustain our well-being, concluding with the inspiring quote, “Failure in life is your opportunity to grow and glow.”

Fr d’Hereaux encouraged everyone to seize every opportunity, reminding us that the path to success, though challenging, is filled with potential.

With over 700 students in attendance at the Mission Rally, they shone as a beacon of hope for our future and utilised their youthful spirits to praise our Lord.