austraLasia #2787
Laga parish conclusion to National Youth Day, Timor Leste
LAGA: 13 August 2012 -- The 21st National Youth Day, Timor Leste, concluded with a Eucharistic celebration on 12 August at the Salesian parish, Laga, some 150 kms from the capital, Dili. At the end of the Mass, at which Bishop Basilio do Nascimento of Bacau diocese presided, and at which 7000 of the faithful took part, the Youth Cross was handed over to young people from Suai parish, which belongs to Maliana diocese. Two other bishops from the Timor Leste Episcopal Conference were present: Bishop Alberto Ricardo, Dili, and Bishop Norberto Maliana.
In his homily, Bishop Basilio gave Catholics in Timor Leste, especially young ones, a demanding challenge: to build up a Catholic culture in Timor Leste, one of the most Catholic countries of any country. He emphasised how the presence of the Youth Cross in Laga parish had helped the faithful to rediscover the dimension of prayer. In all fifty localities which make up the parish of Laga and each of which was visited by the Cross over the year past, Taize prayer around the Cross had reawakened the urgent need for prayer in communion with other brothers and sisters in Christ, always and wherever they are.
The National Youth Day began on Monday, 6 August 2012 with a National Youth Congress lasting a week. 840 young people took part in the Congress and came from parishes right around Timor Leste. They had an opportunity to listen to and interact with people from both civil society and Church. They shared prayer moments, and also entertainment led by the SYM directed by Fr Elias Maia, sdb, proviincial youth ministry delegate. What left the most impression on young people taking part was the Taize prayer together with parishioners from Laga. During this, some people shared their experiences of faith given impetus by the Youth Cross. People spoke of miracles of faith: reconciliation in families, political adversaries, enemies, conversion of heart, healing. Many people gave testimony.
The Congress concluded with confirmation on Saturday 11 August 2012. Nine hundred and ninety six young people were confirmed by the three bishops from the Timor Leste Episcopal Conference.
Laga parish conclusion to National Youth Day, Timor Leste
In his homily, Bishop Basilio gave Catholics in Timor Leste, especially young ones, a demanding challenge: to build up a Catholic culture in Timor Leste, one of the most Catholic countries of any country. He emphasised how the presence of the Youth Cross in Laga parish had helped the faithful to rediscover the dimension of prayer. In all fifty localities which make up the parish of Laga and each of which was visited by the Cross over the year past, Taize prayer around the Cross had reawakened the urgent need for prayer in communion with other brothers and sisters in Christ, always and wherever they are.
The National Youth Day began on Monday, 6 August 2012 with a National Youth Congress lasting a week. 840 young people took part in the Congress and came from parishes right around Timor Leste. They had an opportunity to listen to and interact with people from both civil society and Church. They shared prayer moments, and also entertainment led by the SYM directed by Fr Elias Maia, sdb, proviincial youth ministry delegate. What left the most impression on young people taking part was the Taize prayer together with parishioners from Laga. During this, some people shared their experiences of faith given impetus by the Youth Cross. People spoke of miracles of faith: reconciliation in families, political adversaries, enemies, conversion of heart, healing. Many people gave testimony.
The Congress concluded with confirmation on Saturday 11 August 2012. Nine hundred and ninety six young people were confirmed by the three bishops from the Timor Leste Episcopal Conference.
