KENYA: Catholic Diocese of Ngong Launches the year of the Youth 2018
The Banner for the Year of the Youth Catholic Diocese of Ngong, Kenya
In response to the calling of the 15th General Assembly of the Synod of the Bishops to be held in October this year 2018, the Catholic Diocese of Ngong chose to celebrate The Year of the Youth launched on Sunday, February 4, 2018 under the Theme: Faith on Fire, God’s Call, My Response, (Mt. 5:14-16).
According to Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa, Bishop of Ngong, the launched year of the youth follows logically what diocese successfully celebrated and concluded in December 2017, The Year of Children as God’s gift and a blessing.
In his homily, during the Eucharistic celebrations for the launch, Bishop Oballa who is also the Vice President of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops explained that the reason why the Holy Father Pope Francis called the forthcoming Synod concerning the youth’s faith and their vocation discernment, is because the Youth have enthusiasm, hope and are full of joy and their hearts want to know the truth.
“Young people have the ideals of witnessing a more just and free society and so the Holy Father asked himself how the youth can announce the good news of joy to the world and how they can play an active part of being the announcers of the Good News of joy”
Bishop Oballa said that young people however need faith to be able to see things as Christ does and this will enable them to be in the process of discerning, getting to know their vocations in life whether it is marriage or consecrated life or priesthood. They will also be able to know how they can make wise choices and decisions for their lives as they join other professions and adopt to lifestyles that agrees with the faith they profess.
During the celebrations, tools of evangelization which included a Holy Bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Holy Rosary and a candle were presented and blessed ready to be used to accompany the youth throughout the year. At the same time a banner bearing the theme, which is a reminder to the youth of their call and to listen to the voice of the Lord in faith was also unveiled.
Apart from the tools of evangelizations, Bishop Oballa said that there are many places, opportunities and many sources that can be used by young people to make them capable of discerning what is God’s purpose for their lives.
“Whether it is Bible study, liturgy, active participation in the Small Christian Community activities or pilgrimage to Holy places, use these to help you listen more attentively to what God is telling you,” he advised.
The diocese also came up with monthly prayer activities for the youth for the whole of the year 2018. These are as follows: January: Youth and vocation (1st Samuel 3:3-10,19); February: Youth and the Gift of Discernment (Mt. 19: 16-30, Hos. 14:9, 2nd Sam 14:17, Is. 11:3); March: Youth; Silence, Contemplation and Prayer Life (Jer. 9:23-24, Ps. 37:7, Is. 30:15, Wis. 18:14, Ps 46:11); April: Youth Called to the Joy of Love and Fullness of Life. (1st Jn. 4:16, Mt. 16: 26, Ga.l 5:22-23, 1st Jn. 4:16); May: Youth and the Life of Sacraments (Called to Sacramental Life) (Rom. 6:3, 1st Cor. 10:16-17, Mt. 26:26-28, Acts 22:16) and June: Youth Called to be Heralds of the Gospel (Mt: 28:16-20 Dan. 3:4, Jer. 4:5, Is. 40:9, Mt. 24:14).
Others include July: Youth Called to a Transformative Spirituality of Service. (Rom 12:2, Rom 8:9, Gal 5:25, Job 33:4); August: Youth called to the Life of Generosity Based on the Gospel Values (2nd Cor. 9:7, Deut. 15:7-8, Lev. 25:35-37, Ps. 41:1-3); September: Youth called to be Promoters of Justice and Peace. (Hos. 12:6, Prov. 21:15, Ps. 37:27-29, Rom 12:19); October: Youth and Involvement in Human Development (Their Consultative Roles) (Jer. 17:7-8, Is 54:2, Is 66:8, Col 2:7); November: Youth and the Choices We Make (Jer. 3:14, Ex 33:19, Deut. 7:6, Rom 8:28-3) and December: Youth Called to be Hope of the Family Church and Society. (Psalm 33:12-22, 1st Jn. 3:2, Is 11:9, Jer. 29:11, Dan 2:44)
While promising prayers to the young people every single day till the year is concluded in December 2018, Bishop Oballa proposed a hymn for the year that will be sung at every Mass Celebrations throughout the diocese until the year comes to a conclusion.
“We are taking this year seriously our young people because we take you very seriously,” he said. The hymn which is in Swahili says “Simama imara katika imani, usiogope.” which translates to “Stand strong in faith, do not be afraid.”
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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
