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NEWSWATCH

JESUSYOUTH
OCTOBER 2007

International Newsletter

Called
to be
A MISSIONARY MOVEMENT AT THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH

different
THE RELEVANCE OF PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS IN TODAY’S WORLD

DRESSED FORMALLY IN A SUIT WITH A METALLIC CRUCIFIX CLIPPED TO HIS POCKET, FR. JOSE PHILIP,
A JESUIT PRIEST SITS ABSORBED IN HIS LAPTOP ON A FLIGHT BOUND FOR MUMBAI, INDIA. He is a
visiting faculty for some top management institutes and also a part-time management consultant.
Meanwhile in a remote village in Silchur, in the North Eastern province of India, Fr. Lawrence
Kennedy sets off on a trek across the treacherous hills of Mizoram. He has to walk nonstop for two
days before he can reach the village where he will celebrate the Holy Mass with the poor villagers
who eagerly await his arrival. Across the border in Afghanistan, Fr. Lee Yoakom dressed in his
military uniform leads a prayer meeting 4,900 feet above a combat zone. An ordained priest, a US
Army Major and a Chaplain, his duties include saying Mass, preaching the Bible and catering
to the spiritual needs of the soldiers in his unit. North of Afghanistan, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan,

CONTD. ON PAGE 3

[[
ACCORDING TO THE
EXPLICIT COMMAND OF THE
LORD, WE MUST IMPLORE
THE GIFT OF VOCATIONS, IN
THE FIRST PLACE BY PRAYING
UNTIRINGLY AND TOGETHER
TO THE “LORD OF THE
HARVEST”. THE INVITATION IS
IN THE PLURAL: “THEREFORE
PRAY THE LORD OF THE
HARVEST TO SEND OUT
LABOURERS INTO HIS
HARVEST” (MT 9:38).
...IN THIS PERSPECTIVE, YET
ANOTHER EXPRESSION OF
JESUS IS INSTRUCTIVE: “IF
TWO OF YOU AGREE ON
EARTH ABOUT ANYTHING
THEY ASK, IT WILL BE DONE
FOR THEM BY MY FATHER IN
HEAVEN” (MT 18:19).
THE GOOD SHEPHERD,
THEREFORE, INVITES US TO
PRAY TO THE HEAVENLY
FATHER, TO PRAY UNITEDLY
AND INSISTENTLY, THAT HE
MAY SEND VOCATIONS FOR
THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH
\\
AS COMMUNION.
Message of the Holy Father
Benedict XVI for the 44th World
Day of Prayer for Vocations.
HEART TALK
“Where are we heading?” and “What will JY be like in 10 years’ time?”
are questions that have been put to me very often in the last decade. My
answer has always been a frank “I don’t know.” Certainly, 15 years ago I
could never have imagined such an international face for the Jesus Youth
movement. Ten years ago it would have been impossible for me to dream
of such Continental Conferences as the three we have just witnessed.
They were a great experience and continue to create ripples in South East
Asia, Europe and the Middle East even as we are looking forward to the
South Asia, North America and Asia Oceania conferences. So too, I could
never have thought in my wildest dreams that I would get to meet so
many young missionaries with hearts full of zeal for the Lord...
Undoubtedly, the movement has grown steadily and continues to do so –
from place to place, from country to country, coursing through cultures
and breaking through the barriers of language. Yet can a movement grow
mature and stay young at the same time? Interestingly, as I reflect on our
movement these days, I feel the Holy Spirit is doing just that.
The movement began more than two decades ago with a focus on youth.
Many of us were drawn into this movement in our late teens and found
our lives transformed. One thing that challenged us most in those early
days was the life witness of our elders who balanced successful careers
along with the work of the Lord. The challenge remains, and down the
years our Lord has been repeatedly fulfilling and renewing His promise –
‘I will guide you step by step.’ Yes, God is faithful and continues to guide
us in unimaginable ways.
I firmly believe that God is now directing us towards the next step. In the
initial years of the movement the majority of its members were youth and
mostly unmarried. In contrast as we look around now, we see so many
mature, trained people who are married and settled down. A few are
involved in the youth ministry it is true, but many of them are struggling to
find a platform where they can grow and which will support the life style
they live and enable them to continue to participate in the mission of the
Church. Almost all the continental conferences have had separate sessions
planned for families. When we have had similar gatherings of families
earlier, the main purpose has always been to challenge them to be active in
the youth ministry. Through these continental conferences, however, we are
endeavouring to establish a specific identity for families – ‘JY Families’. This
needs to be more than just a ministry. There is a need for ‘JY Families’ to
become a movement of committed missionary families – not just for
reaching out to youth – but to actively take part in all the missions of the
Church, particularly in the CCR.
Meanwhile, the significant growth of the JY Teens Ministry across the
world is certainly a sign of the Holy Spirit - and a call towards a greater
focus on Teens and Youth. Recent surveys reveal that 85% of those
involved in any activity of the Church began before the age of 18 years –
another 10% before 21 years. Which means that it is practically
impossible to reach out to the youth if we don’t do it before they turn
eighteen. Our movement has always been strong in youth to youth
evangelization - and now families too are becoming an integral part of
our ministry. Gradually, even as I pray for more labourers in His vineyard, I
also see a defined co-ordinating system for Teens, Youth and Families
coming into place.
At this moment though, I stand as always, amazed at the work of the Holy
Spirit. Isn’t it beautiful, I ask myself, that we can grow mature and stay
young at the same time?
Manoj Sunny
Jesus Youth International Co-ordinator
COVER STORY
Called to be different
Sister Rosario and three other Missionaries of
Charity sisters work hard, reaching supplies to
the needy and caring for the sick in this
erstwhile Soviet Republic. These are just a few
sample snapshots from the eventful lives of
over 137,000 Catholic priests and 776,000
women belonging to Catholic religious orders
around the world. Across different geographic
locations and varied lifestyles, they make a
difference by being the presence of Christ,
daring to take stances that radically challenge
the values of the world.
Called to be Different
The young generation faces new battles today.
Their battle is to rise above the ordinary and
stand apart from the mad rush for luxury,
conveniences and pleasure. Their battle is to
find a deeper meaning in their lives. In this
battleground, young Christians are opening
themselves to religious and priestly vocations
and dedicating their entire lives for Christ.
“I got everything that I dreamt of at a very
early age in life - a job with one of the best
firms, recognition among friends, a great
salary, cool girlfriends, everything. But soon I
started looking further for something different,
something more challenging and meaningful in
my life” says Br. Anil who will be ordained a
priest later this month. When he was 24, Anil
left a high-paying job with a top IT firm in
Bangalore to enter a seminary in Kerala.
Likewise, Fr. Burke Masters, the Vocation
Director for the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois
says, “I never thought I could be happy as a
priest, but now I can’t imagine doing anything
else with my life. I am completely fulfilled and
love what I do”. Burke was once a baseball
player and later worked in professional
baseball in the management side. That was
when he felt the call to be a Catholic priest.
A recent advertisement campaign promoting vocations
Contd. from page 1
This is part of an emerging phenomenon
witnessed by the Roman Catholic
communities around the world. Across
continents, Catholic seminaries and
convents are seeing a growing number of
men and women in their 20’s and 30’s
entering discernment - the official period
of considering a vocation. Very often
professionals, highly qualified
academicians and even empty-nest moms
are leading the way to respond to their
vocational call.
Gone are the days when seminaries or
convents were looked upon primarily as
‘learning’ or ‘discipline training’ centres.
The young today are serious about their
religious and priestly call and are not
reluctant to express their Christian beliefs
openly. The religious orders too have shed
their inhibitions and are trying to reach
out to the youth, in the language of the
youth. This effort has resulted in the
explosion of what is best described as the
‘cyber ministry’. Websites, blogs and even
professionally planned advertising
campaigns in the media are pushing the
conventional boundaries of vocation
promotions. “People are going to the
internet to find answers about life, God,
the Church.” says Sister Julie Vieira from
Chicago who runs a widely popular blog
called nuns2day.wordpress.com. “I never
thought of my blog as a form of ministry,
and now I do” she says. Sites like
www.savannahpriest.com and
www.churchvocations.com have powerful
testimonials motivating the youngsters
and connecting them to vocational
directors for discernment.
It is interesting that the very pleasures
and luxuries of the world and the
permissive societies themselves are often
triggers that set off young people in
search of a higher, deeper call in their
lives. And quite often, it is the young who
dare to make an all out surrender to the
Lord. “In an age where our primary
secular values are sex, power and money,
for someone to choose chastity,
obedience and poverty is a radical
statement in itself” says Bro. Paul
Bednarczyk, Executive Director, National
Religious Vocation Conference in Chicago.
It is as if you want to say, “I’ve given it
up, I’m different”.
OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 3
The Bold JP2 Generation
Cutting across countries, most of the
young priests and seminarians will
joyfully name one person who with his
sheer charisma has inspired a whole
new generation to see Christianity and
religious vocation in a new perspective -
Pope John Paul II. He still remains the
most alluring personality for young
Catholics across the world, inspiring
them through his youth rallies and his
contemporary interpretation of Christian
values. The youngsters saw in him a
religious leader who cared for them but
more than that, a leader who could vibe
with them. “Pope John Paul II stood for
every Catholic, but especially for
seminarians and priests. John Paul II
taught the seminarians and the priests,
how to be a priest” says Fr. Rosario. And
this triggered a multiplying effect for
the youngsters around the world who
wanted to be like him. “He was the face
of the Catholic priest around the world”
declares Fr. Rosario.
Another phenomenon is the growing
number of ‘consecrated lay people’ who
take the vows of Poverty, Chastity and
Obedience and have a period of
formation like regular nuns. More
interesting still is the concept of ‘Sister
Moms’- widows and even married
women mostly with grown up children,
who respond to a call to religious life. Today
there are over 160 such religious nuns
across US alone.
The Challenging ‘YES’
Even as choosing and leading the life of a
religious has come of age, the challenges
faced in becoming bold and fearless
‘Fishers of Men’ have also become bigger.
Today’s priest does not merely sit and pray
in the Church the whole day; he needs to
roll up his sleeves and do things for other
people. He is constantly adorning new
roles; he is an intelligent interpreter, a
fearless advocate, a smart negotiator, a
passionate social worker and a patient
listener all rolled into one. A priest goes
through in a day what many undergo in an
entire lifetime. He is a channel of divine
grace. When people see a priest, they see
the Church; they see Christ.
New Launchpads
When leaders of the Neocatechumenal
Way, a powerful lay movement within the
Catholic Church, gave a vocation call in a
recently held youth rally in Loreto, Italy
about 2000 men and 1200 women stood up
to show their readiness to become priests,
nuns or consecrated people. The movement
claims that 4000 of their young members
have already joined various formation
programmes.
Post Vatican II, the Catholic Church has
witnessed a surge of lay movements and
communities across the world. Prominent
among these include the Catholic Charismatic
Renewal, Communion & Liberation, Focolare,
Sant ‘Egidio, Christian Life Movement,
Couples for Christ, Cooperators of Opus Dei,
etc. These movements, especially those with a
focus on the youth, like our own young
movement, the Jesus Youth, have been able
to reach out to a vast section of youngsters
for whom the Church was nothing but a
‘waste of time’. They have become platforms
that help the young to identify their vocation
and encourage them to discern it.
“Movements like Jesus Youth help in

GLIMPSES INTO CONSECRATED LIVES

The beginnings: Every day after our family
prayers, my family used to talk about our parish
priest, discuss his sermons and be inspired by his
life - today I realize that God was sparking off
His call through these times.
Crises that strengthened my call: The first was
my fear of darkness when I was a young seminarian and the
reassurance that God gave me. The second, which came later was
a time when I wondered whether the meaningful friendship I had
with a girl was a call to marriage. But a spiritual father led me to
the beautiful insight that my call was to form deep, meaningful
friendships with everyone around me.
Influences: The 40-day formation with the Jesus Youth Full time
Volunteers convinced me that priesthood was the best platform
for me to build Christ-centred relationships that transform lives.
Vocation: For me, vocation was not a fully formed call, but a seed
that evolved in my life, grew gradually and is still in the process
of blossoming within me.
Priesthood: Today, after 11 years of priesthood, I know that this
state of life is not about me possessing Christ but is about the
certainty of Christ possessing me completely.
FR. CHERIAN NEREVEETTIL, Spiritual Animator,
Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Ernakulam, India
The beginnings: The simple faith of my
parents and their integrity had always inspired
me. Later, in spite of my reluctance, God led
me to a vocation camp during my High School.
The commitment of the priests I saw made a
deep impression on me. I was also touched by
the life of Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara.
Some influences: My meeting with the Jesus Youth Full time
Volunteers and their committed lifestyle became a turning point
in my life. Later I was part of a Jesus Youth cell group in
Bangalore where my decision was deepened and my faith
strengthened. I then went on to become a full time volunteer
myself - an experience that changed me.
My call: I often think of myself as the prophet Jeremiah. In his
life we see his reluctance to accept his call- and yet we see the
fire in his heart that burns and makes him speak the Word of
God. It is one book in the Bible that I have read over 30 times!
Today: I believe that God has placed me in Germany for a
specific purpose. Today my ministry is in the parish - especially
among the youth here who are so rootless and confused. And
God is working wonders.
FR. AJY MOOLEPARAMBIL CMI, Assistant Parish Priest,
St. Ludgerus Church, Schermbeck, Germany.
 VOCATION
PRAYER PACK
l Make praying for vocations a
part of your daily family prayer.
l Choose five priests or
religious whom you know and
make a lifetime commitment to
pray for them. l Encourage
discussions and reflections
about priests and saints in the
family. l Help young people and
children to meet and be inspired
by priests and religious. l
Support young people in helping
them to discern their call and
say ‘yes’.
introducing the youth to the charming
personality of Jesus Christ” says Fr. Joshy
Mayyatil from Rome. “Since a Jesus Youth
comes in touch with the various realities of
the Church through training, mission and
exposure programmes, there are more
opportunities for serious reflections about
the beauty of giving oneself for the cause of
the Lord and of the Church. A loving contact
with the Word of God and the habit of
personal prayer are also the factors that
facilitate the listening to the call of the
Lord” he says.
Every year, seminarians from various
orders attend the Jesus Youth Full time
Volunteers’ Training programme along with
other youth. According to Fr. Joshy,
“Seminary formators highly appreciate the
impact that the Jesus Youth have on the
lives of seminarians. That explains the
significant increase in the number of
seminarians who participate in JY training
programmes. Youth dynamics, innovative
use of talents and media, healthy
interaction between opposite sexes, a
lifestyle of prayer and commitment – all
these can contribute positively to the
empowerment of vocation to priesthood
and to consecrated life”.
Deep within their hearts youth always have
a desire to do something unique,
something above the ordinary. And what
could be more extraordinary than living a
consecrated life carrying the presence of
Christ in today’s troubled times?
JUBIE JOHN
A member of the JY Newsletter
Editorial Team, Jubie is the Director of
Marketing with a healthcare staffing
firm and is currently based in Cochin.
CROSS QUESTIONS
Living the beauty and the challenges of a higher call
At what point in life did you realize that
you had a bend of mind towards a
different calling?
Until the age of 23, I wanted to get
married. I had dreams about my future
wife, children and home. The first time I
had a thought about priesthood was during
my final year MBBS. It came out of the blue
and lasted for about 2 days. I met a priest
who told me, “It’s probably because you
are stressed about the exams. Forget about
it and study”. But he also added, “If it is a
true call it will come back”.
It came back again after two years and
lasted for about 3 months this time. By
that time I started liking it and I changed
my prayer. “Jesus”, I prayed, “if my call is
to be a priest, show me the right
congregation (I was more keen on religious
life) and if my call is to get married, show
me the right girl.”
What were some of the influences that
helped you explore this inclination
towards a different lifestyle ?
It was the CCR, that gave me a personal
encounter with Jesus. The Jesus Youth
prayer group in Kottayam Medical College
influenced me in deepening my
relationship with Jesus. I discovered
intimacy and fellowship there, intimacy
beyond blood relationships. I can also
think of a few individuals, who helped me
discover my call - Fr. Gino Henriques
C.Ss.R., Manoj, Julio, Priya, Aju, Binu and
some poor patients whom I came across
and so many others. But my brother
Shajichayan, had a great role to play in
the whole process. In fact I used to think
aloud and discuss a lot about it with him.
What were some of the difficulties and
challenges to make this decision?
The greatest difficulty was the fact that
usually people go for priesthood after 12th
standard. I could not understand at that
time why He was calling me so late. My
second struggle was to give up marriage. I
love its intimacy. I love children. I love to
protect, to shelter and to comfort. So I
wrestled with it for a long time.
My biggest challenge after joining the
seminary was to cope with a formation
system that was designed for people who
join very young. There were times I felt
that I had the call, but wondered whether
I would be able to cope with the
formation programme.
Is there some specific incident in your life that
gave you a clear indication about your call?
Though I started feeling positive towards the
call, I could not decide and kept setting it
aside. But one morning, during my post-
graduation in Christian Medical College
Vellore, I was unusually touched by the
reading in the Mass. It was about the image
of church as the body, with Jesus as the
head and people as the various parts of the
body. That initiated a dialogue within me and
at the end of it I felt He was calling me to
commit myself fully for the Kingdom. As I
walked out of the Church, I had an
overpowering experience of an invisible
presence beside me persuading me gently,
“Why are you waiting? Why don’t you
decide? I have given you so many signs…”
I think that incident nudged me into an
immediate decision.
In today’s highly advanced world, what do
you think makes a religious vocation and
the presence of priests and religious sisters
more relevant?
Around us, we see some people building
structures of greed, selfishness and
exploitation and trapping others in it. In such
a world when a religious takes the vow of
poverty, leads a simple life style and
considers people more precious than money,
he or she is building a counter culture –
building structures of generosity, love, and
goodness. Whenever I celebrate the Mass, I
am promoting love, sacrifice and other values.
Whenever I am celebrating the sacrament of
Reconciliation, I am promoting forgiveness
and healing. Whenever I help a struggling
couple, I am strengthening the foundation of
the society. In other words, in all these the
Kingdom is breaking forth. So in today’s
confused world we need more religious and
priests and of course committed families.
How do you think we can make our youth
more open to encourage, pray and opt for a
religious vocation?
I prefer to give a cheeky answer to this. Tell
them about the story of ‘Mathen’, and the
transformation that a young man from
Palestine brought into his life!
FR. MATHEW ABRAHAM
PUTHENCHIRAYIL C.Ss.R.
Fr. Mathew, fondly known among
his Jesus Youth friends as ‘Mathen’,
was ordained as priest for the
Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer on 30th April 2007.
He currently lives in Bangalore.
OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 5
 CEFN LEA PARK, MID WALES, UK
JY EUROPEAN
CONFERENCE
The picturesque Cefn Lea Hills in Mid
THIRD IN Wales came alive with shouts of praise
THE SERIES OF and joyful songs exulting the name of
Jesus as over 450 participants from UK,
CONTINENTAL Ireland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and
Austria gathered for the first Jesus Youth
CONFERENCES European Conference. The third in a series
of Continental Conferences organised by
ORGANISED BY Jesus Youth around the world, the
JESUS YOUTH European Conference was a unique and
grace-filled event. With a powerful theme
AROUND THE ‘Love Beyond Borders’, the conference was
held at Cefn Lea Park, Newtown in Mid
WORLD, THE Wales from 7th to 11th September 2007.
EUROPEAN A unique feature of this Conference was
CONFERENCE WAS that the entire event was held in two
different streams. Although there were
A UNIQUE AND some common sessions, by and large,
there were separate sessions for the youth
GRACE-FILLED and for families. This made the programme
rich and vibrant with lively discussions
EVENT and meaningful interactions. There was
Rt. Rev. Edwin Regan, Bishop of Wrexham along with concelebrants during Holy Mass at the Conference
l 7TH TO 11TH SEPT. 2007
also a nursery for the kids enabling the
parents to fully participate in the
programme.
The speakers for the event included
internationally renowned preachers like
Mark Nimo from Chicago, Michelle Moran,
President, ICCRS, and Kristina Cooper,
Editor, Good News, UK, along with other JY
resource persons. Apart from the common
sessions on God’s Love, Sin and
Repentance, Evangelisation, and the
Scope of Jesus Youth in Europe; the
individual sessions for youth included
topics such as current youth trends, the
challenges faced by youth, need for God,
Lordship of Jesus and coming back to the
fullness of life. The individual sessions for
the families focused on the Christian way
of facing challenges in family life, the
covenant of love in marriage, call to live
missionary lives, Lordship of Jesus in the
family, need for reconciliation and the call
 “I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE PART OF
THIS EUROPEAN CONFERENCE.
YOUNG PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN
EMPOWERED, CHALLENGED AND
CALLED TO A NEW RELATIONSHIP
WITH JESUS. THE POWER OF THE
SPIRIT HAS BEEN POURED UPON
THEIR LIVES. AND THIS IS WHAT
WE NEED; THIS IS WHAT EUROPE
NEEDS FOR PEOPLE IN TODAY’S
SOCIETY GENERALLY LIVE THEIR
LIVES AS IF GOD DOESN’T EXIST.
THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE
BEEN CHALLENGED TO PUT GOD
AS THE CENTRE OF THEIR LIVES,
RECEIVE HIS LOVE AND THEN GO
BEYOND THEIR BORDERS - INTO
THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS,
SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES - TO
REACH OUT WITH THE GOSPEL.
MAY THE LORD RICHLY BLESS THE
MINISTRY AND MISSION OF JESUS
YOUTH AND BRING MANY YOUNG
PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE THE LOVE
OF JESUS.”
MARK NIMO, CHICAGO
INTERNATIONAL PREACHER

to love. The panel sharings and workshops gave

practical pointers to the participants on how they
could practise the input they had received. Rexband
ministered throughout the conference with their soul-
stirring music. The witness of the Rexband members
inspired many participants to use their talents for
God’s glory. Praise Night, Taizé Prayer, Inner Healing
and the prayer for the infilling of the Holy Spirit were
special times of grace.

Most Rev. Edwin Regan, Bishop of Wrexham celebrated

the Holy Mass on the third day of the conference and
spoke of the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of
Reconciliation as being the greatest sources of
healing. He also shared examples of saints from “IT WAS A GREAT “I REALLY ENJOYED “THE JESUS YOUTH
England who found solace in the Holy Mass and the PRIVILEGE TO BE BEING WITH ALL THE CONFERENCE WAS AN
Sacrament of Reconciliation. WITH YOU AND I JESUS YOUTH FOR THE EXCELLENT EVENT.
WISH EVERY EUROPEAN EVERYTHING WAS
Another high point of the conference was a Rosary BLESSING FOR CONFERENCE. IT WAS A REALLY WELL DONE
Procession to the Cefn Lea Hills. All the participants THE FUTURE OF GREAT PLEASURE TO AND INSPIRING.
made a solemn procession reciting the Rosary in
JESUS YOUTH. IT MINISTER ALONGSIDE REXBAND WAS
different languages, following which
Fr. Sebastian Arikat (Pastor, JY UK) led the group WAS A GREAT YOU ALL. THANK YOU AMAZING AS USUAL -
through a wonderful prayer session, committing every SOURCE OF FOR THE INVITATION, THEIR MUSICIANSHIP,
country in Europe to the protection of Mother Mary. INSPIRATION FOR WELCOME AND FAITH, TALENT AND
ME TO MEET YOU HOSPITALITY. I AM VERY ENERGY - WAS A
The conference concluded on 11th September 2007 ALL.” ENCOURAGED BY THE WONDERFUL WITNESS
with the Holy Mass celebrated in German by Fr. Ajy RT. REV. EDWIN WORK AND VISION OF TO THE LORD.”
Mooleparambil (Pastor, JY Germany). The homily was REGAN, JESUS YOUTH.” MS. KRISTINA COOPER
given by Fr. Sebastian Arikat, who urged the
BISHOP OF MS. MICHELLE MORAN EDITOR, GOOD NEWS
participants to grow in holiness and to love and work
for the Kingdom of God. WREXHAM PRESIDENT, ICCRS MAGAZINE

OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 7

“I WAS REALLY TOUCHED BY
THE PROGRAMME. THE TALKS
BY MARK NIMO, THE PRAYER
SESSIONS, THE MUSIC, THE
CONFESSIONS, THE HEALING
PRAYERS AND THE
ANOINTING SESSION -
EVERYTHING WAS
WONDERFUL AND GOD
REALLY TOUCHED THE
HEARTS OF MANY. THE
PROCESSION AND THE
COMMITMENT CEREMONY ON
THE HILL WAS ALSO AN
UNFORGETTABLE EVENT.”
FR. GEORGE KUZHIPPALLIL
AUSTRIA
“WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO
SEE THE FOCUS GIVEN TO
FAMILIES, CHALLENGING
US TO LIVE MISSIONARY
LIVES. IT WAS A TIMELY
REMINDER TO ’WAKE UP
AND TUNE IN’ AS THE
HARVEST IS PLENTY AND
SADLY THE LABOURERS
ARE LAZY! THE WORD
‘METANOIA’ TRULY
RECHARGES US TO CHANGE
OUR MINDS AND ACTIONS
TO REACH OUT WITH LOVE
BEYOND BORDERS.”
ANIL & SUNITHA ISRAEL
GERMANY

“‘LOVE BEYOND BORDERS’ WAS TRULY INSPIRING. THE CONFERENCE

GAVE A NEW DIRECTION TO MY SPIRITUAL CALL. MORE IMPORTANTLY
IT HAS HELPED ME TO SPEND PRODUCTIVE TIME WITH THE LORD AND
TO RESPOND ACTIVELY AS A JESUS YOUTH TO THE CHALLENGES OF
THE WORLD AROUND ME.” ALEX KURUVILLA, IRELAND

“THE HOLY SPIRIT IS REALLY “INITIALLY I HAD SOME

MOULDING, TRANSFORMING
AND USING THE YOUNG
PEOPLE THROUGH ’JESUS
YOUTH’ TO RE-EVANGELISE
EUROPE. I BELIEVE THAT
THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE
ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGES
OF THE TIMES AND ARE
TRYING TO BE A SPIRITUAL
CATALYST IN THIS
MATERIALISTIC AND
CONSUMERIST SOCIETY. I AM
HOPEFUL THAT JESUS YOUTH
IN EUROPE HAS BEEN
IMPARTED GOD GIVEN GIFTS
AND GRACE TO BE ‘LEAVEN
ON THE EARTH AND THE
LIGHT OF THE WORLD’.“
FR. PAUL VELLARACKAL, UK
APPREHENSIONS ABOUT
HOW THE PROGRAMME
WOULD WORK OUT,
ESPECIALLY THE SEPARATE
SESSIONS FOR FAMILIES
AND YOUTH. BUT NOW I
THINK THAT MINISTERING
TO FAMILIES WAS A NEW
BEGINNING FOR JESUS
YOUTH. NEXT TIME WE
COULD DO PROGRAMMES
FOR KIDS AS WELL. JESUS
YOUTH IS A BLESSING FOR
EACH ONE OF US AS THERE
IS SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT
FOR INFANTS, KIDS, YOUTH
AND FAMILIES.”
SUNIL SIMON, UK

Twenty-four young people, hailing
from eight different countries,
staying together for twenty-eight
days, with a single mission: a
personal zeal to get closer to
Jesus and work for the kingdom of
God. That was the second
International Fulltime Volunteers’
Training programme held at the
Garden of Gospel Peace
Franciscan Retreat Centre in
Bangkok. The programme, which
began on 9th July 2007, had 24
participants from several countries
across the globe including United
States, United Kingdom, Germany,
United Arab Emirates, Pakistan,
India, Singapore, and Thailand.
The 28-day training included
several aspects of Jesus Youth
spirituality, along with other
activities and sessions to help
participants prepare for their task
ahead. It started off with a three-
day retreat that helped the
participants build a solid spiritual
foundation for the rest of the
days. Following that, they went
through a rigorous training that
included aspects of the Word of
God, Church History,
Evangelization, Character
Building, Integrity, the Power and
Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Dramatics,
Photography, and many more.
During their entire stay in
Thailand, the Jesus Youth
constants, lifestyle and
spirituality were constantly
emphasized through daily Mass,
Adoration, personal prayer,
delving into the Word of God, acts
of kindness, responsibility and
accountability, etc.
The young missionaries were also
given a chance to put their
training into action through
two outreach programmes.
One was for the patients of a
AIDS hospice and another for
a group of young kids
attending a parish retreat.
Using music, drama, actions,
interaction and love, the
fulltimers were able to convey
the message of Christ’s
everlasting love in both the
outreaches.
The participants were very
fortunate to have Fr. Abraham
Pallivathukkal S.J., Navin
Bruce Thomas, Baby Chacko,
and Dhanya Paul mentoring
and guiding them
throughout the programme.
These people were also
backed up by a wonderful
array of resource people that
came in from all over Asia to
help conduct the programme.
The resource team included
Fr. Fio Mascarenhas S.J.,
Mr.Jude Antoine (Malaysia),
Dr. Edward Edezhath, Mr. Alex
Njavally, Mr. Leo Thaddeus,
Mr. C.C. Joseph and
Mr. Manoj Sunny. One of the
key ingredients for the
success of the training was
the full hearted and
dedicated support of the
local team from Thailand. The
commitment ceremony for the
24 young missionaries was
held at the Bagna Campus
Parish of Assumption
University, Bangkok on 4th
August 2007. Several people
from JY Thailand were also
present for the ceremony.
It was amazing to see
twenty-four young people,
“I WAS VERY
DELIGHTED, AND
IMPRESSED TO
BE IN THE
COMPANY OF
SUCH EAGER
STUDENTS. THE GROUP OF 24 JY
FULLTIMERS IN BANGKOK
SHOWED A GREAT SPIRIT OF
COMMUNITY, ZEAL, AND LOYALTY
TO THE CHURCH AS THEY SPENT
MUCH VALUABLE TIME IN PRAYER,
STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP. MY
THREE DAYS WITH THEM
RENEWED MY OWN SPIRIT OF
YOUTHFULNESS, AND MY LOVE
FOR THE LORD AND THE CHURCH.”
FR. FIO MASCARENHAS, S.J.,
INDIA, RESOURCE PERSON
FIRE-
BRANDS
FOR
JESUS YOUTH
INTERNATIONAL
FULLTIME
VOLUNTEERS’
THE
TRAINING
9TH JULY TO 4TH
AUGUST 2007,
BANGKOK, THAILAND
LORD
after spending 28 days with each other, put aside their
differences of politics, languages, customs, traditions,
and come together united as a team with only Christ as
their centre and focus. Five of the participants are taking
full-time commitment for one year, while most of the
others will be taking part time commitment, i.e. working/
studying 4 days a week and keeping aside the remaining
days for activities towards building the Kingdom of God.
Most importantly all have pledged to go wherever Christ
sends them, to fulfill the mission of His Word, reaching
the hearts and souls of the entire world.
SONY THEVELAKKARA, USA, PARTICIPANT- JYIFT 2007
OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 9

“As time was
short, the
programme was
hectic and
packed. The
venue was apt
for solitude as
well as
interaction. The group’s openness
and receptivity enabled them to
grow as a cohesive group, with the
desire of giving the very best for
the Kingdom of God.”
REV. FR. ABRAHAM PALLIVATHUKKAL,
PASTOR, TRAINING TEAM
“This was my first training
with Jesus Youth
International. What touched
me most was the team’s warm
welcome, genuine love, strong
fellowship and deep concern
for each one of us. Working
with different teams/cellmates
was amazing; it taught me the
importance of encouraging
and praying for one another to
grow. I can convincingly say
that Jesus Youth is a platform
where youngsters meet
Christ.”
ANSIR ISHAQ, PAKISTAN
“To participate in the
training with 23 others from
different parts of the world -
each with amazing talents
and a great zeal and passion
for the Kingdom of God - was
an experience to cherish. I
am very glad that I made a
choice to attend this. I see
an evident change in me in
many ways; it has renewed
me both as a person and as a
“It was “I was disciple. Now for me to live is
inspiring to blessed to be Christ and to die is gain.“
see the zeal with this AJESH ABRAHAM, UK
of the vibrant group
participants to of young “The training helped me to
dedicate and missionaries attain a broader vision for my
commit their for nearly a ministry. It was a time of
lives for the month. Their renewal for both my spiritual
Lord. This young missionary force enthusiasm and zeal to share the and personal life. Through
is surely going to move and touch Gospel and their radical inner healing, I have become
the hearts of many youth commitment to build a new more open and gained self-
worldwide through the power civilization has been an esteem. The testimonies of
of the Holy Spirit” inspiration for me.” my friends also helped me
GEORGE DEVASSY, THAILAND, NAVIN BRUCE THOMAS, grow in faith.”
CO-ORDINATOR, JY SOUTH EAST ASIA CO-ORDINATOR,TRAINING TEAM JECKO GEORGE, UAE
“The Fulltime “The training made me “I had an amazing “During the training, I was
Volunteers’ Training take a fresh look at my time getting to challenged to re-arrange my life
was a great experience life. During the retreat, I know the Lord in a in accordance to God’s will and
for me, that changed learnt the importance of very personal way, plan. It wasn’t easy but at
my life and my whole silence. It was in those and I’m falling in every step of the way, I knew
person totally. Jesus quiet moments that I love with Him over that He was there guiding me
has given me the clearly heard the voice of and over again. Each through all my fellow batch
strength I need to the Lord. The questions session revealed mates and the training team.
show people how whether I really love Jesus more and more I could encounter God through
wonderful God is and and what I could do for about the person - personal prayer and the daily
how great it is to walk Him struck me in a very Jesus and His ways Eucharist and adoration. I have
with Him. I can never powerful way and this of prayer, of love, now truly experienced the grace
stop thanking the Lord truly motivated me to take and of fellowship.” that fills ones life when one
for choosing me to be this one-year TSENG XIAO YAN, starts each day with the Lord.”
His disciple!” commitment. THAILAND ANNU PIUS, SINGAPORE
ANNA BORN, GERMANY MEGNA ROBERTS, INDIA
Angels’ Army is a Jesus Youth
initiative, which helps parents to
bring up their children in
holiness and root them in
righteousness and in love for the
Church. This ministry helps
children, from the moment of
their conception till the end of
their childhood, to grow up as
Jesus did, in wisdom and in
favour with God and people.
Through the Word of God, Rosary,
Sacramental life and teachings of
the Church, parents impart the
traditions and values of the
Church. The ministry is open to
all children up to the age of
twelve.
The seeds of this ministry were
sown in December 2003, when a
group of Jesus Youth members
began a chain rosary to pray for
the Catholic Church and for the
repentance of people around the
world. A thought originated
among some like-minded
people in the group to pray for
children and to begin a ministry
for them. Most Rev. Thomas
Chakiath (Auxiliary Bishop of
Ernakulam-Angamaly
Archdiocese) officially launched
the ministry on 6th June 2004.
Angels’ Army has now spread
throughout Kerala with about
20,000 families as part of it.
The ministry continues to
expand to other countries
around the world. A core team
of six families is involved in the
co-ordination of this ministry.
Recently a central team was
formed, comprising of sixteen
families from different parts of
Kerala. Fr. Varghese Manavalan
and Sr. Amanda SH are the
Animators for the ministry and
Alice Mathew is the current Co-
ordinator.
An Angels’ Army magazine is
published every quarter with a
circulation of 20,000 in
Malayalam and 5,000 in
English. In India, there is no
subscription fee for the
Malayalam copy. From the very
beginning, the Lord has
provided the means to continue
the printing of the booklet
through contributions/
benefactors. To download a soft
copy of the magazine, please
visit www.jesusyouth.org.
To subscribe for the same,
please send a mail to
angelsarmy@jesusyouth.org
Angels’
Army
“I READ ANGELS’ ARMY. IT HAS HELPED ME TO LEARN A LOT ABOUT
SAINTS, LIKE ST. MARCELINO, ST. CLARE OF ASSISI, ETC. I CAN IMAGINE
THEIR WORDS IN MY HEAD. THERE IS A LOT OF FUN THROUGH PICTURE
STORIES AND IT IS INTERESTING. I LOVE ANGELS’ ARMY.”
MARIA, 3RD GRADER, USA
A CHRISTMAS GIFT
Advent is a special time. Through the Angels’ Army magazine,
parents help children prepare for the birth of Jesus through
prayers and good deeds. During the days of Advent, small acts of
kindness and prayer are prescribed to symbolically prepare a
swaddling cloth for Baby Jesus. Over the years many have benefitted
from this activity which helps children imbibe the true spirit of
Christmas despite the worldly festivities and celebrations. Check out
the Downloads Section of the Jesus Youth website to find out more.
“OUR CHILDREN WERE 4 AND 3 YEARS OLD WHEN WE GOT TO KNOW ABOUT ANGELS’ ARMY. FOR THE PAST
ONE YEAR, THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN PRAYING THE ROSARY ALMOST REGULARLY WITHOUT FAIL. LAST
CHRISTMAS WHILE MAKING THE ‘CRIB OF GOOD DEEDS’, ONE OF THE GOOD DEEDS INVOLVED GIVING CLOTHES
TO THE POOR. TO OUR SURPRISE, THE CHILDREN SELECTED THEIR BEST CLOTHES TO GIVE TO THE POOR. FROM
EXPERIENCE, WE KNOW THAT ANGELS’ ARMY IS A VERY EFFECTIVE TOOL IN THE FAITH FORMATION OF
CHILDREN.” JAMES & NISHA, UAE
“I have always wanted my children to “While expecting my fifth
grow in holiness and I used to wonder child, I was admitted in
about what kind of spiritual formation the hospital with some
would be the best for them. In 2003 critical complications
during the chain Rosary, the Spirit during the fourth month
constantly prompted me to take some of pregnancy. During the
initiative for the spiritual formation of night, I was not able to
children. Although there were a lot of thoughts coming up sleep and I felt like saying the Rosary. My
in my mind, I did not know how to discern or implement it. thoughts were full of all the children in the
At this point, we were told by a woman of prayer, who did world and I started praying for them. The
not know anything about our thoughts, not to ignore the Holy Spirit also prompted me to pray for all
promptings given by the Holy Spirit. This was a the children lost through miscarriage and
confirmation for us. It also gave me the courage to share my those abandoned by the cruel act of
thoughts with a couple of my friends in the Jesus Youth, abortion. I was truly able to experience the
who immediately started praying with us to get a clearer pain and sorrow of these losses and I could
picture about what we were supposed to do. Later on, not stop my tears. Early next morning I felt
through Mass and intercession, God gradually revealed a deep sense of peace. Later the doctor
how through the Scriptures, the Rosary and the lives of came to inform me that my child had
saints, children could be equipped and encouraged to pray passed away during the night. Inspite of
and resist the evil one. At first we thought we could this, I was able to thank and praise God
practice this within a small group of families. But as we with my whole being. It was during those
spoke to Jesus Youth leaders, we were encouraged not to days that God sowed the first seeds of this
limit ourselves but to try and reach out to as many families ministry - Angels’ Army - in my heart. As I
as we could. When Bishop Thomas Chakiath (Chairman, look back, the Lord has worked marvellously
KCBC Charismatic Commission) was approached in this in bringing this ministry to this stage and I
regard, His Excellency’s immediate reply was - “This is very fully know that it is not because of any
important for our Church these days”. Now we see that God human ability but by His grace alone.”
has led us through ways we had not even dreamt of.” ALICE MATHEW, ERNAKULAM
PREETHA JOSEPH, TRIVANDRUM
OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 11
JY MIDDLE EAST
CONFERENCE
The Holy Land – the land where Jesus lived,
preached, performed miracles, shed His blood
on the cross and rose up from the dead in
glory. This place has a special significance for
HOLY LAND all Christians and it remains a dream for most
to visit this land at least once in their
lifetime.
JERUSALEM
Over 180 Jesus Youth from six different Gulf
14TH - 20TH countries - UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman,
Qatar and Saudi Arabia - realized this long-
SEPTEMBER cherished dream as they came together for
the JY Middle East Conference held in
2007 Jerusalem from 14th to 20th September 2007.
THE PILGRIMAGE
A four-day pilgrimage of the Holy Land was
organised before the three-day conference.
Preparing themselves for this spiritual quest, all
the participants underwent a 40-day spiritual
preparation which included fasting, intercession,
reading and reflecting on the Word of God, and
partaking in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
before leaving for Jerusalem. Various reading
materials on the significant pilgrim places were
prepared and widely distributed. Special
preparatory programmes based on these materials
were organised in many countries across the
Middle East. The JY Middle East Team worked for
over a year to organise this event.
The days of the pilgrimage saw the group which
included four priests (Fr. Varghese Chempoly -
Pastor, JY UAE, Fr. Joseph Edappulavan - Spiritual
Director, JY Kuwait, Fr. Andrews Francis, Qatar and
Fr. Siby Puthiyodam, Dubai) traverse through
Nazareth, Cana and Mount Nebo in Amman,
Jordan where Moses saw a view of the Promised
Land. The participants attended Mass at Cana -
the place where Jesus performed his first
miracle - celebrated by one of the priests of the
group. During this Eucharistic Celebration, all
the Jesus Youth couples renewed their marriage
vows. It was also a delight to witness a local
wedding at Cana. The group had their share of
fun too. Floating on the Dead Sea was an
indescribable experience for many.

On the third day, the pilgrims visited the

Annunciation Church in Nazareth, the Sycamore
Tree that Zacchaeus climbed to see Jesus and
the Mount of Beatitudes. The group participated Mr. Salvatore Martinez
in a Mass celebrated there. One child participant
was indeed blessed to receive his First Holy
Communion at this hallowed place. A visit to the THE CONFERENCE “MY FAITH
house of Peter, a boat ride across Galilee, the The Conference took place at Hotel WAS
Nativity Church at Bethlehem, the Assumption Bethlehem in Bethlehem. Salvatore DEEPENED ON
Church and a visit to the river Jordan were also Martinez, President of an Italian SEEING THE
special moments of grace. One of the youth movement called ‘RnS’, FAITH
participants received the Sacrament of Baptism conducted the introductory session of EXPRESSED BY
in the river Jordan. the conference. Separate sessions THE YOUTH
were conducted for the youth and the WHILE
One of the most touching days of the pilgrimage families. The sessions for families VISITING THE
was the one spent in Jerusalem City. As the focused on inspiring them to become PLACES OF BIRTH, LIFE AND THE
group travelled through the Garden of more missionary in their lifestyle and SAVING ACTIVITIES OF JESUS. THE
Gethsemane, the High Priest’s House, the steps outlook. The youth were given STATIONS OF THE CROSS CONDUCTED
where Jesus walked, the place of scourging of different input sessions challenging SO DEVOUTLY IN SPITE OF THE
Jesus – the suffering endured by Jesus for us them to make a deeper commitment DISTURBANCES ON THE WAY FROM
came alive for the pilgrims. But the true high to Christ in their lives. Separate NON BELIEVERS AND BUSINESS
point was walking the ‘Via Dolorosa’ (the Way of sessions were held for children PEOPLE IS ONE OF THE MANY THINGS
Suffering). About 4-5 kms in length, it begins participating in the Conference. THAT TOUCHED ME MOST DEEPLY. THE
from the house of Pilate and cuts through a busy JOY AND THE FEELING OF FULFILLMENT
marketplace known for anti-social elements. As The sessions on the second day of the OF THE DREAM TO VISIT THE HOLY LAND
the pilgrims made their way to Calvary along this Conference were dedicated to ‘Telling SEEN ON THE FACES OF SO MANY
narrow path, they were shoved, stepped upon the story of Jesus in Asia in the YOUNG PEOPLE MADE ME VERY HAPPY.”
and hit by the crowd milling around them. This context of Middle East’. A ‘Praise FR.VARGHESE CHEMPOLY,
was a life-changing experience for many as the Night’ led by Covenant Singers was a PASTOR, JY UAE
pilgrims got a taste of what Jesus would have time to rejoice in the Lord and
experienced on the way to Calvary. Many could celebrate our faith. The resource
not control their tears as they reached the tomb team for the event included Rev. “THE
where Jesus was laid to rest. The pilgrimage was Fr.Varghese Chempoly OFM, CONFERENCE
a moving experience for all and it provided a WAS A RE-
great impetus for the Conference which began DISCOVERY OF A
that night with a Taize prayer. SPECIAL
CHARISM OF
JESUS YOUTH, ITS
WORK AMONG
The UAE Music Ministry - Covenant Singers - leading MIGRANTS. THE
the participants into a time of worship FEW HUNDREDS THAT GATHERED WERE
ALL MIGRANTS WITH A MISSION. FOR ME
PERSONALLY, IT WAS ALSO AN
OCCASION TO RE-INVENT THE AGE-OLD
FAITH BUILDING DYNAMICS OF
PILGRIMAGE. SO MANY VISITS, MOMENTS
OF PRAYER, NEW ENCOUNTERS WITH
HISTORY - YES! I WISH MODERN MAN
HAD MORE OCCASIONS FOR
PILGRIMAGE.”
DR. EDWARD EDEZHATH,
ANIMATOR, JY INTERNATIONAL TEAM

OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 13


Dr. Edward Edezhath, Manoj Sunny,
Raiju Varghese and Renny Njarakulam.
Apart from music and audio-visual
presentations, there were also video
presentations by country
representatives to inform and update
the participants about the JY activities
in their region.
“BUT AS FOR ME, HOW
WONDERFUL TO BE NEAR GOD, TO
FIND PROTECTION WITH THE
SOVEREIGN LORD AND TO
PROCLAIM ALL THAT HE HAS DONE
- PSALMS 73:28. THESE WERE THE
WORDS WHICH STRUCK ME AS I
WAS PREPARING FOR THE MIDDLE
EAST CONFERENCE 2007. TRULY,
THE WORD OF GOD WAS WORKING
IN MY LIFE AS WE WENT THROUGH
THE SIX DAYS OF THE CONFERENCE.
“M.E.C. WAS AN EYE IT WAS A BLESSING TO BE PART OF
OPENER FOR ME; IT THIS EVENT. THE TALKS GIVEN BY
CHALLENGED ME TO SOME OF THE RESOURCE PERSONS
THINK DIFFERENTLY AND OUR DISTINGUISHED GUEST -
ABOUT OUR VISIONS MR. SALVATORE MARTINEZ - MADE
AND GOALS IN UAE. ME REFLECT ON THE LOVE AND
THE EXPERIENCE ALSO FRIENDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST. THE
REJUVENATED ME TO PILGRIMAGE LED US THROUGH A
CONTINUE WITH MY DEEPER REVELATION OF THE LIFE
MISSION FOR JESUS AND LIFESTYLE OF JESUS. EACH
YOUTH. WE SHOULD PLACE HAD SOMETHING TO TELL US
HAVE SUCH ABOUT THE DIVINITY OF JESUS, AS
CONFERENCES AT WELL AS ABOUT THE HUMANITY OF
LEAST ONCE IN TWO JESUS. WE COULD FEEL THE JOY OF
YEARS.” GEO, OUR LORD WITHIN US.”
ABU DHABI, UAE RENJU.C, KUWAIT
“IT WAS A MIRACLE TO ATTEND
THE CONFERENCE ALONG WITH
MY FAMILY. PRIOR TO THE
CONFERENCE WE STARTED
READING THE PREPARATION
MATERIALS AND TOOK A
DECISION TO ATTEND DAILY MASS.
AS THE DAYS OF THE PILGRIMAGE
APPROACHED, WE FELT THAT OUR
DAILY PERSONAL AND FAMILY
PRAYERS WERE NOT ENOUGH. SO
FROM 1ST SEPT. ONWARDS, WE
STARTED RECITING THE ROSARY
AND READING THE FOUR GOSPELS
FROM 3.00 AM TO 4.00 AM. WE
ALSO BEGAN RECITING THE
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET DAILY IN
OUR FAMILY PRAYER. BEFORE THE
LAST DAY, WE GOT A CHANCE TO
MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION
AFTER A LONG TIME. THUS WE
WERE READY FOR THE
PILGRIMAGE IN ALL ASPECTS. ALL
THIS SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
HELPED US TO BE CLOSE TO JESUS
WHEN WE MADE OUR
PILGRIMAGE.” SUMOL PIOUS,
RUWI, OMAN

Another notable event during the days of

the Conference was the re-constitution of
the JY Middle East Team. After prayer and
discernment, a new team was selected
with Julius Antony from UAE as the Co-
ordinator and Sebastian Joseph from
Bahrain as the Asst. Co-ordinator. The
new team was prayed over and anointed
during the Conference.

The Middle East Conference has set the

hearts of all the participants on fire
with a zeal to witness Christ inspite of
numerous obstacles and problems.

“ORGANISING THE MIDDLE
EAST CONFERENCE WAS A
CHALLENGE. IT IS ONLY
GOD’S GRACE THAT MADE
THIS CONFERENCE A
SUCCESS. NUMEROUS
PEOPLE HAVE PUT IN A
LOT OF EFFORT, TIME,
MONEY AND OTHER
RESOURCES FOR HIS
GLORY. THIS CONFERENCE
WAS DEFINITELY A
TURNING POINT FOR
JESUS YOUTH IN THE
MIDDLE EAST AND I PRAY
THAT OUR LORD MAY
GUIDE US TO BUILD HIS
KINGDOM HERE.”
JUTTAS PAUL, QATAR
FORMER JY MIDDLE EAST
CO-ORDINATOR
“ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN MY “I COULD SEE HOW GOD
CHILDHOOD DREAM TO VISIT WAS HELPING US
THE HOLY LAND, I KNEW I FULFILL OUR DREAMS.
WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO THE IMPACT OF A
AFFORD IT, AS I HAD NOT POWERFUL
RECEIVED MY SALARY FOR INTERCESSORY
THE PAST THREE MONTHS. NETWORK WAS
HOWEVER I SHARED THIS EVIDENT THROUGH THE
DESIRE WITH MY NON- FLOW OF GRACE
CHRISTIAN ROOMMATE WHO EXPERIENCED BY ALL
WORKS AS A LABOURER. IT THROUGHOUT THE
WAS UNBELIEVEABLE WHEN PROGRAMME. I AM
HE OFFERED ME THE CONVINCED NOW, THAT
FINANCIAL SUPPORT THE TIME HAS COME
REQUIRED TO MAKE THIS FOR JESUS YOUTH TO
PILGRIMAGE. I PRAISE GOD START TAKING RISKS
WHO CARES FOR EACH ONE FOR THE
OF MY HEART’S DESIRES, EVANGELISATION OF
HOWEVER SMALL OR ASIA.”
IMPOSSIBLE.” BIJI SANTOSH,
ROY, FUJAIRAH, UAE SHARJAH, UAE
GLOBAL NEWSWATCH
Youth Retreat, Chicago, USA
USA
n ‘Penuel’ Retreat 2007
A Jesus Youth retreat was conducted at the
Mary Immaculate Centre near Allentown
from 15th to 18th August 2007. Fr. George
Kumblumootil led the retreat, with Biju
Malayatoor and Hector Lewis helping out
with the music. There were 85 participants.
n Retreat, Chicago
A retreat took place at Bishop Lane Retreat
Centre, Rockford, IL. Over 80 High School
students attended the programme. It was
led by Fr. George Kumblumootil.
Jyothni Malaickal
GERMANY
n ‘Shine Anew’, Boppard
A JY retreat ‘Shine Anew’ was conducted
from 17th - 19th August 2007 at St. Carolus,
Boppard. The retreat, attended by 40
participants, was conducted in German by
Fr. Fritz May. The theme of the retreat was
“Look to him, and be radiant” (Psalm 34:5).
Anil Israel
OMAN
n Leaders’ Training, Sohar & Ghala
In continuation of the series of leaders’
training programmes across Oman, a training
was held in Sohar on 31st August 2007 and in
Ghala on 9th and 10th October 2007. There were
over 80 participants in Sohar and about 35 in
Ghala. The theme of the training was ‘Know
your God’.
‘Shine Anew’, Boppard, Germany
Leaders’ Training, Sydney, Australia
n ‘Mochanam 2007’, Ghala
‘Mochanam 2007’ - a retreat in Malayalam for
youth was conducted in the Ghala parish from
12th to 16th October 2007. Youth from different
parts of Oman participated in the retreat. Shaji
Scaria from Kerala, India was the main
resource person for the event.
Binoy Xavier
KUWAIT
n Programme for Leaders
A programme for JY leaders was organised on
11th August 2007 at the Holy Family Cathedral
to discuss the current activities and to facilitate
better co-ordination. During the Mass later in
the day, the core teams for the Salmiya and
Cathedral Parishes were prayed over and
anointed.
Mahesh Peter
AUSTRALIA
n ‘Friends of JY’ Dinner, Melbourne
A dinner was organised on 13th August 2007
at Melbourne for friends and supporters of
Jesus Youth. Eminent guests included Most
Rev. Christopher Prowse - Auxiliary Bishop of
Melbourne, leaders of the Catholic
Charismatic Renewal, leaders and Chaplains
of universities. The purpose of the dinner
was to bring together the friends of Jesus
Youth, along with Manoj Sunny and
Dr. Edward Edezhath, to deepen the vision of
the movement and strengthen the
relationship with the Church and CCR.
Leaders’ Programme, Kuwait
‘Mochanam 2007’, Ghala, Oman
n Leaders’ Training, Sydney
A training programme for 50 leaders from
different parts of Australia and New Zealand
was held from 16th –19th August 2007 at
Elanora Conference Centre, Sydney. The
programme, animated by Dr. Edward
Edezhath and Manoj Sunny, focused on
helping the participants to learn new skills
and techniques to spread the Word of God.
n Joy Family Meet, Brisbane
Dr. Edward Edezhath animated and
conducted a family gathering at the
St. Ignatius parish on 1st September 2007.
n Arrival of WYD Cross, Sydney
Jesus Youth along with thousands of local
youth packed the Tumbalong Park, Sydney on
1st July 2007 to welcome two symbolic icons
of the World Youth Day journey - the Cross
and Our Lady’s Icon.
n Couples’ Camp, Forest Edge
Six couples along with their children came
together from 24th - 26th August at Forest Edge
to interact and grow deeper in the love of
Jesus as a family. Rev. Fr. John Aravankara and
Dr. Edward Edezhath conducted this camp.
Mayrose Pius
CANADA
n Jesus Youth Retreat
From 20th to 22nd July 2007, Fr. George
Kumblumoottil conducted a Spirit-filled
retreat, accompanied by Biju Malayatoor. The
retreat helped the participants to re-commit
their lives to Jesus.
JY Retreat, Canada
OCTOBER 2007 PAGE 15
 GLOBAL NEWSWATCH

Fellowship Gathering, Auckland, New Zealand ‘All4Him’ Praise & Worship, Canada Jesus Youth National Team, UK

n ‘All4Him’ Praise & Worship n JY Initiation Programme, Christchurch UK

“All4Him” - an evening of Praise & Worship,
was organised by the budding young leaders
of JY Canada along with youth from other
parishes and Christian denominations. The
event which included songs, skits and dances,
was held on 22nd September 2007.
Sindhu Michael
UAE
n ‘Way of Life’, Sharjah
JY Sharjah conducted a one-day programme
‘Way of Life’ for young adults on 27th July 2007.
There were 800 youngsters aged 18-28. Six
zonal JY prayer groups have been initiated in
Sharjah since the programme.
n English Prayer Group, Abu Dhabi
A Jesus Youth prayer group in English has been
initiated in the Abu Dhabi Parish. The group
was officially inaugurated by the Parish Priest
Fr. Savari Muthu on 29th September 2007.
n ‘Adayalam’, Fujairah
Over 400 youth from Fujairah, Kor Fakhan and
other areas gathered for a youth outreach
programme ‘Adayalam’ conducted in Fujairah
on 7th September 2007.
n ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’, Sharjah
‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’– a youth outreach
programme was conducted on 24th August
2007 at the Sharjah parish. Over 275 Asian
youth of different ethnicities attended the
programme. The event was inaugurated by
the Parish Priest - Fr. Ani Xavier. Anand
Menon, a known catechist and youth trainer
from Dubai, was the main resource person.
n JY Family Gatherings, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah
Gatherings of Jesus Youth families were held
in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. In each emirate,
over 50 families participated in the event.
Prejomy Jose
NEW ZEALAND
n Fellowship Gathering, Auckland
An evening gathering of Jesus Youth in
Auckland was organised during a visit by
Dr. Edward Edezhath and Rajesh Thalapillil
on 21st August 2007. Jesus Youth from
neighbouring areas also participated.
About sixty youth and young couples n JY National Team Re-constitution
participated in a JY Initiation Programme The Jesus Youth National Team for UK was
organised at Christchurch on 20th August re-constituted during a three-day gathering
2007. Dr. Edward Edezhath and Rajesh held from 26th - 28th Oct. 2007 at the Blessed
Thalappillil were the key resource persons Sacrament Parish Hall, Liverpool. About 60
for the day. Besides meeting the local youth Jesus Youth from various parts of UK gathered
ministry, they also had the privilege of for the discernment process co-ordinated by
meeting Most Rev. Barry Jones – Bishop of Fr. Sebastian Arikat and Manoj Sunny. An eight-
member National Team was elected with Sibi
Christchurch. As a result of the programme,
a new prayer group has also been initiated. Joseph as the Co-ordinator and Joby Thomas
Soji K. Joseph as Assistant Co-ordinator. Fr. Sebastian Arikat
will continue as the Pastor and Sr. Ancilla and
INDIA Dr. Julio as the Animators. For the first time in
n ‘Campus Conference 2007’, Ernakulam JY history, a service team for JY families was
Over 800 JY Campus leaders from about 200 selected with 5 couples. Vinitha and Joby
colleges across Kerala came together for Michael are the co-ordinators for this stream.
‘Campus Conference 2007’ held at St. Teresa’s A nine-member core team under the co-
College, Ernakulam from 24th to 28th August ordinatorship of Abhi Thomas was also
2007. As a fruit of the Conference, new prayer selected for the Youth stream.
groups have been initiated in many colleges Sibi Joseph
and there has been a resurgence of passive
campuses.
n Maharashtra Leaders’ Gathering, Nagpur
Over 50 leaders from five regions in
Maharashtra - Mumbai, Pune, Chanda, Nasik
and Nagpur came together at Nagpur on 18th
August 2007 to discuss and envisage a vision
of growth for Maharashtra.
n Jesus Youth Retreat, Shillong
A Jesus Youth retreat was organized for the
students of St. Antony’s College, Shillong from
13 th -15 th July 2007. Over 350 students
attended the programme. Following this
retreat, a new prayer group has been initiated
in the campus.
Gincy Sanish
SINGAPORE
n JY Volunteers for Our Lady’s Procession 2007
The Novena Church, which is famous for its
Novena to Our Lady, attended by almost O glorious Queen of the most
100,000 people every Saturday, organised holy Rosary, we pray that
its annual procession in honour of Our your intercession may protect us
Blessed Lady on 2nd September 2007. Jesus from hatred and discord, and
Youth members were called upon to help out direct our hearts into the ways of peace
as volunteers for this event. and justice which your Son taught
Biju Joseph and exemplified.

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