DEO GRATIAS - May edition
‘PHILIA’ AT CARDIFF
On March 20th , a one day program held in Cardiff saw about 60 odd people from Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol, mainly university students, come together to celebrate friendship with Jesus. It was a joyous day with lots of music, fun, laughter and fellowship.
One of the main highlights of the event was the formation of the music ministry. The commitment that the members showed in forming it from scratch was inspirational. The presence of Venicia and Abhy was an amazing blessing. The session given by Abhy on how to be a Good Samaritans of this day and age was very enlightening.
- Ponnie Sebastian (Cardiff)
LEICESTER YOUTH RETREAT
One of the main highlights of the event was the formation of the music ministry. The commitment that the members showed in forming it from scratch was inspirational. The presence of Venicia and Abhy was an amazing blessing. The session given by Abhy on how to be a Good Samaritans of this day and age was very enlightening.
- Ponnie Sebastian (Cardiff)
LEICESTER YOUTH RETREAT
The 3 day youth retreat in Leicester took place in the University of Leicester Chaplaincy from 26th - 28th of March. The 22 participants, who attended the retreat, received great conviction and were able to grow more close to God.
- Mrudula George (Leicester)
REPORT ON THE SERVICE TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM IN BIRMINGHAM
The first batch of the service team trainings took place in Birmingham on the 10th and 11th of April 2010. The participating teams were from London, Leicester, Northampton, Worcester, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Peterborough. The theme for the training was to rediscover our origins and relive our roots.
On the first day, Sunil Simon spoke on understanding our call and invited the group to ponder on the conviction of our calling. Sibi Joseph enlightened us on the genesis of the charismatic renewal and JY as a charismatic movement. The session on the role of the JY in the Church was taken by Abhy, which called us to reflect on our role as Catholics in Europe in present times. The importance of working as a team was well illustrated through a group activity of constructing towers with spaghetti and marshmallows taken by Jocelyn and Maziano. 
On the second day, a session, led by Jose Mathew was on evangelization being the call of every JY, emphasising that we should commit and not just contribute to the church. Also the presence of Fr. Arikat on this day was also a blessing. The final session on the working strategy of JY Service Teams was taken by Abhy and the day concluded by every team planning strategies for the future.
- Jocelyn Fernandes (London)
A REPORT ON THE SERVICE TEAM TRAINING PROGRAM IN LIVERPOOL
The training program for the Service teams of the North West region was held on 17th and 18th April 2010 at Liverpool. It was a Spirit-filled two days for the participants’ from Bolton, Cardiff, Chester Liverpool and Manchester. Sessions similar to those held at Birmingham were given here. These inputs fuelled zeal for souls in the hearts of all participants.
The time of Adoration, held on the second day, was a time of liberation and healing. Many participants voiced out areas of their life where breakthroughs were needed to be able to live more for the Lord. The training drew to a close with discussions about our dreams and plans for the Kingdom in our individual places.
All through the two days, the place was abounding with the love and warmth of the local Jesus Youth families, who took much care of all local needs. Many thanks to Stanly Devassy, Liverpool Service Team members and all those who helped arrange accommodation, mobilisation and local arrangements.
- Hazel Crasto (Chester)
JOURNEY OF THE JUBILEE CROSS
A major event in connection with the Jubilee Year of Jesus Youth, is the journey of Jubilee Cross through various parts of UK. The Cross has travelled to most of the North-West and East during the first 5 months of its journey. This icon of faith brought people together in prayer everywhere it travelled. Being at its Foot was a time for many to reflect on the blessings of the Cross, along with blessings received through Jesus Youth.
Many have testified experiencing the presence of God, and much peace while having the Cross at their homes. In Warrington, a couple prayed overnight in front of the Cross for the wife’s driving test due the next day, and she got through it. A young person shared that praying in front of the Cross made her reconcile with a friend. In Manchester, when I was about to collect the cross from a home, I had a vision of IELTS Books, the Holy Bible and prayer books in front of the cross. Yes, the Lord is continuing to speak to us and strengthen us from the Cross. As the journey of the Cross continues, let’s all try to make the most to the opportunity the Cross is giving us, to gather at its Foot in praise and prayer.
- Joby Mundakal (Manchester)
‘AWAKENING’
‘Awakening ‘ – the 50 days of perpetual adoration were days of grace for the land of UK, and has been a wonderful and powerful intercessory prayer campaign. Truly it has been a dawn of something new and great for this nation, in response to the call of the Holy Father. This venture commenced on Easter Monday and continues till the Pentecost and is the joint initiative of the Mother of God Parish and the Jesus youth UK.
About 500 people from all over the UK have made their way to this sanctuary during these days and all have been touched by the awesome charisma of the Eucharistic Lord. A great number of healings and miracles took place during this time, and every prayer lifted in faith has been answered. The happening at the adoration, prayer requests, testimonies, and thanksgivings were being communicated on a daily basis to everyone through the blog and emails. Spiritual growth is evident in our movement, through the culture of prayer, which evolved through this great move of the Spirit. The conclusion of this event is planned on the feast of the Pentecost also making the JY UK recommitment day a special one in this Jubilee year.- Jocelyn Fernandes (London)
OUTREACH TO LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
An outreach was organised to Loughborough University on 19th May 2010. This opportunity came with Fr. Joe Mullen, the Chaplain for the University, coming to 'Awakening' and was inspired to ask us to come the following week to speak to the youth that attend the weekly Mass at the Chaplaincy of the University. A Miracle from the Eucharistic Lord!
After a wonderful Mass, focused on the Holy Spirit, celebrated by Fr. Joe, we were given half an hour to talk to the students about our movement.
After this, we could experience a unique kind of fellowship, as the Spirit continued to move amongst us. We all started talking to each other and singing hymns. A Sister and one of the students also expressed wanting to attend for the Pentecost and Re-commitment day Mass. May there fire kindled in their hearts continue.
- Hazel Crasto (Chester)
MANCHESTER GATHERING (PRAYER DAY)
This gathering was an invitation to all the youth that attended the previous three day weekend retreat. We dedicated this day to be spent in prayer, especially as it was due before exams and it consisted of sessions, sharing, fun-filled activities, lively songs and group discussions.
It started with the Holy Mass, offered by the local parish priest, Fr. Ian. We were blessed to have his presence with us all through. Next, a session was given by Joby Michael on how to set aside distractions of this world and find our inner voice. Fr. Ian then talked to us about how we should put our faith in God. He also introduced a few Saints to us, who we can approach for intercession during exam time, like Don Bosco, St. Thomas Aquinas and St Joseph of Cupertino. He also advised us to get into the habit of having personal prayer and finding time for God in our lives. Also, we youth were privileged to have the presence of few elders from Manchester with us. This prayer day was a great initiative for us, and it helped us re-capture the faith in our lives.
- Tomsy Tomy (Bolton)
FAMILY GATHERING AT LIVERPOOL
On 25th April 2010, which was also the Feast of the Divine Mercy, a gathering of 25 families took place in Liverpool. A session was given by Joby and Vinita, on the priorities of family life, and its implementation in our daily lives. The day also had a lot of fun, with games and a wonderful time of fellowship.
- Reji Cherian (Liverpool)
NEW PRAYER GROUP IN PETERBOROUGH
An outcome of the Retreat held at Leicester, for the youth of Leicester and Peterborough was the formation of a regular weekly prayer group that has started in Peterborough. Around 10 – 15 youth come together in the Church hall every Tuesday for a time for prayer and fellowship.
- Mrudula George (Leicester)
UPCOMING PROGRAMS IN BIRMINGHAM
In Birmingham the fruits of the perpetual Adoration have already started emerging, with new initiatives coming forth. A 40 hour perpetual Adoration will be held here from 9 pm on 28th May to 4 pm on 30th May 10. Also a youth retreat has been planned on from June 25th till June 27th at Alton Castle. A training on the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been started by Fr. Sebastian Arikat, at his parish, the Blessed Robert Grissold Catholic Church. All are most welcome to join this group.
- Freju Sebastian (Birmingham)
UPCOMING PROGRAMS IN LONDON
From the 3rd to 5th June, Jesus Youth will be involved with the ‘Sprit in the City’ event that will take place in Leicester Square, Central London. Jesus Youth will put together a prolife exhibition, and carry out one to one Evangelisation. Other creative ways like having ‘requests boxes’and distributing Bible verses have also been planned. Also a Youth retreat for the 16 to 20 year olds will take place on July 9 – 11th at Uxbridge.
- Cijo Joy, (London)
