YOUTH ACTIVITIES OF SHAANWADI PARISH 2007-08

We present to you the activities of the youth held in 2007-2008.

Fr. Albert Fernandes, the youth Director welcomed the two animators of the Youth for this year, Bro. Maria Prakash MSFS and Bro. Peter Kujur MSFS. To begin with the year's activities we had get-together for the new comers in the youth and the old timers. There were about 35 youth present for the same. We introduced ourselves to one another. It was indeed a wonderful get-together.

ON 15^TH JULY 2007 – GOOD START: PICNICKING TO LONAVALA.

ON 18^TH JULY 2007: ELECTION OF THE NEW OFFICE BEARERS.

Michael Naidu was unanimously voiced out by the youth to continue as the youth president. Michael Naidu is in his tenth year as the youth president of the youth. The other office bearers elected were Deepak as the secretary, Clara as treasurer, Evita and Joyce as SFS Parish Youth representatives for ICYM.

ON 22^ND JULY: PARENTS DAY CELEBRATION.

Through animation of liturgy we expressed our gratitude towards the parents and asked God's blessings upon them for all that they are for us... Love of the Parents toward the children was presented through a skit. It was a memorable day.

ON 29^TH JULY 2007: ICE-BREAKING DAY

This event brought many new comers to the youth group of our Parish. Fr. Albert Fernandes the youth director spoke to us on the importance of the youth in the church today. The day was organized with action songs, prayers, talks, dance, puzzles, games and other activities to inter-mingle the new comers with the old timers. Everyone was allotted with port-folios for this year. We partook in the event joyously.

ZONAL YOUTH DAY: 12^TH AUG 2007 AT VADGAONSHRI PARISH.

Zone-3 comprises of five parishes namely SFS Church, Sacred Heart Church, Divine Mercy Church, Good Shepherd Church and Holy Cross Church. We impressed the gathering with the highest number of participants. We were 56 in all including 5 Religious Brothers and Sisters. We were given the charge of buying and serving the snacks. We arranged for a Resource person for this session. The session was on ‘Personality Development'. Gathering ended with jam-session. We were very happy to know many other youth from our Zone.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF VAILANKANNI

We had a very important role for the Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni. People flock to our Church for this Feast in large numbers and thus the participation of every one of us was mandatory. We had to put in more work and time with the best of our talents to be creative in decorations, animation of liturgy and ushering. The huge pandal was well decorated. The liturgy was animated both in Marathi and in English. We, with the help of PPC members presented to the people on the feast day the apparitions of our Lady at Lourdes. Some of us took care of the stall to sell religious articles which was in aid of the poor and the needy.

A DAY WITH THE 'DIFFERENTLY CHALLENGED ONES'

On 12^th Oct 2007, we went to Snehalaya, the home for physically and mentally challenged children. We spend time talking, playing and being with them. We experienced the touch of these little children with whom we exchanged the love sentiments. We conducted games and action songs for them. Our Parish generously contributed towards eatables, game items and toilet articles for them. We were motivated and inspired by the tireless and hard work of the Fathers and Sisters at Snehalaya.

SHAANWADI FIESTA-2007

It was one of the major events. It was well prepared and well organized.
It was inaugurated on 4th November 2007.

FIESTA EVENTS

November 9, 2007 - Essay and Drawing competition

November 18, 2007 - Fancy dress competition and Cricket match

November 25, 2007 - Rangoli competition and Foot Ball Match

December 2, 2007 - Singing and Dance competition

December 9, 2007 - Audio-visual quiz for catechism children

Essays and Drawing were thought provoking. They really brought out the best of their talents in a very unique way. The significant evenings brought a good crowd towards the open stage to witness a spectacular cultural fiesta with Fancy Dress, Singing and Dance. Performance put up by different communities of the Parish during the competitions was enthralling and fantastic. The out-door games both Foot Ball and Cricket added more joy and fun to the Fiesta. The Audio- Visual Quiz made a great impact on the Catechism children. There was a lot of zest and enthusiasm throughout the Fiesta. Finally Shaanwadi Fiesta was a perfect blend of entertainment and committed learning. All credit goes to our youth who worked tirelessly and willingly. A big thanks you for the animators and the youth.

16^TH DEC 2007: FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

The Church was decorated well. The 1^st Holy Communicants coming in procession along with the Celebrants were welcomed with the showers of petals. It appeared to be heavenly celebration. That was awesome and well appreciated by all.

JINGLE BELLS JINGLE BELLS… CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

The parish had decided to go round singing carols in all the areas. On 22^nd December the youth decorated the float and in the evening along with the Dominicans, DMI sisters and brothers went round singing carols. We spread the joy of Christmas to all the communities and to our fellow brothers and sisters by singing carols.
The decorations in the Church were done on 23^rd. On the Christmas day we went to Shnehalaya to celebrate Christmas with the less privileged ones.

ON 27^TH DEC 2007 WAS THE PARISH FEAST DAY

The winners of the 'Shaanwadi Fiesta' received their felicitation and prizes on this day.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES FEAST AND FETE: 27^TH JAN 2008

In preparation for the Feast of our Patron the youth were as usual given the liturgy to be animated on the feast day. The decorations done were unique and beautiful. The offertory procession was very meaningfully done. The virtues of St. Francis de Sales were offered the offertory procession. The youth put up two different stalls for the Parish Fete. As a mark of belonging to the SFS Youth the Parish Priest got stitched sweatshirts for every active youth of the Parish. All had a glamorous look with this clothing.
Due to the teamwork everything was possible and successful. The coordinators of SFS Youth Group expressed their gratitude in thanking all the members and Fr. Albert Fernandes MSFS (the Youth Director) for his cooperation, participation and encouragement. They expressed a special word of thanks to Fr. Jerry Misquith MSFS (the Parish Priest) for all his support and guidance.

The teamwork that made everything possible and successful, we the coordinators of SFS Youth Group express gratitude to all members. We are grateful to Fr. Albert (Director of Youth) for his cooperation, participation and encouragement. We also accord a special word of thanks and appreciation to Fr. Jerry (Parish Priest) for all his support and guidance.