Syro-Malabar Youth Group
Over the course of two years, the youth group of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Syro-Malabar Mission of Greater Washington has evolved. When we began, we started by organizing English Mass once a month. This first step gathered the youth of our church to collectively form a group as we worked together to prepare for the Mass by assigning readers, training altar servers, teaching the English Mass songs, and working together to set up for Mass . Since that first step, the youth group has actively taken a role in planning charity activities, and they have participated in youth conferences. The youth group has created a great foundation in the past two years, and in the future, we hope to continue to grow in Christ.
The 2011 St. Thomas Diocese Youth Apostolate Gathering in Chicago was the first youth gathering attended by the young people of our church. Over 30 youth representatives from across the country congregated to welcome His Beatitude Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry. This gathering also marked the beginning of the Youth Apostolate, which consists of the Bishop, Youth Apostolate Director, coordinators, and advisors.
This youth gathering sparked the idea of starting a youth group at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Syro-Malabar Mission of Greater Washington. It was an inspiring experience seeing how young people from other churches were united by their faith and actively engaged in their church communities. After experiencing this, we took our first steps to develop a youth group of our own.
Organize English Mass
This youth gathering sparked the idea of starting a youth group at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Syro-Malabar Mission of Greater Washington. It was an inspiring experience seeing how young people from other churches were united by their faith and actively engaged in their church communities. After experiencing this, we took our first steps to develop a youth group of our own.
Organize English Mass
The English translation of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Mass has helped the youth to better understand the religion, faith, and traditions. Making the English Mass accessible to the youth of our church was our initial action in developing a youth group. This brought the youth and young children of our church together because organizing a Mass requires the efforts of many people, and our youth continue to organize the English Mass once every month.
Food and Clothing Drive
Food and Clothing Drive
Growing up Catholic, we learn from our parents, Sunday school teachers, and Church, as well as from reading the Bible that through our faith we are called to love and serve all people as Jesus Christ loved us. In the effort to share the eternal love of Jesus Christ, the youth group organized charity services. As Mother Teresa said, “Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead.”
On Sunday, March 25, 2012, the youth group organized a clothing drive after our Sunday mass. Many of the church community members participated to make this event successful. We collected 3 large boxes and 3 large bags full of clothes, which was donated to the Shepherd's Table, a nonprofit organization in Maryland.
The youth group also organized a food drive on Sunday, September 2, 2012, after our Sunday mass. During this event, we collected 3 boxes of canned and nonperishable food, which weighed about 150 lbs. The youth group donated the collected food to Manna Food Center, and also had the opportunity to meet the director of the center and learn about their many charitable programs.
2012 Diocesan Youth Leaders Gathering
On Sunday, March 25, 2012, the youth group organized a clothing drive after our Sunday mass. Many of the church community members participated to make this event successful. We collected 3 large boxes and 3 large bags full of clothes, which was donated to the Shepherd's Table, a nonprofit organization in Maryland.
The youth group also organized a food drive on Sunday, September 2, 2012, after our Sunday mass. During this event, we collected 3 boxes of canned and nonperishable food, which weighed about 150 lbs. The youth group donated the collected food to Manna Food Center, and also had the opportunity to meet the director of the center and learn about their many charitable programs.
2012 Diocesan Youth Leaders Gathering
Over 70 youth delegates from parishes and missions across the country gathered in Chicago for the 2012 Diocesan Youth Leaders Gathering. During this gathering, the youth delegates listened to different lectures about searching for truth, identity, and our faith journey. We spent time learning about the Syro-Malabar Catholic history and tradition. Also, we gathered in our regional groups and set goals and action plans for each youth group for the year of 2013.
This gathering highlighted why it is important to build and strengthen our youth group. Building a youth group means that the youth and children of our parish will stay connected to our culture, our language, and our church community. Most importantly, it will strengthen their faith and relationship with God, which is what we hope to achieve through our goals and action plans. Overall, this gathering was a great experience that allowed the youth delegates to exchange ideas that will help develop, improve, and sustain their youth groups.
Youth Classes
In the past couple of months the youth group has been gathering twice a month with Fr. Mathew Punchayil to learn about different aspects of our religion and about our Syro-Malabar history and tradition. These classes are usually discussion oriented, which allows the youth to openly ask questions about challenges they face. These classes serve the purpose of empowering youth to actively participate in the search to strengthen their faith. Some topics of discussion have included identifying what we as Catholics believe in, evolution versus creationism, and understanding the Holy Trinity.
2013 Mid-Atlantic Youth Conference
This gathering highlighted why it is important to build and strengthen our youth group. Building a youth group means that the youth and children of our parish will stay connected to our culture, our language, and our church community. Most importantly, it will strengthen their faith and relationship with God, which is what we hope to achieve through our goals and action plans. Overall, this gathering was a great experience that allowed the youth delegates to exchange ideas that will help develop, improve, and sustain their youth groups.
Youth Classes
In the past couple of months the youth group has been gathering twice a month with Fr. Mathew Punchayil to learn about different aspects of our religion and about our Syro-Malabar history and tradition. These classes are usually discussion oriented, which allows the youth to openly ask questions about challenges they face. These classes serve the purpose of empowering youth to actively participate in the search to strengthen their faith. Some topics of discussion have included identifying what we as Catholics believe in, evolution versus creationism, and understanding the Holy Trinity.
2013 Mid-Atlantic Youth Conference
Six youth members from our church had the opportunity to attend the first Mid-Atlantic Youth Conference, which was a much needed event that brought together 120 youth members from different parishes and missions across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The conference was a four day event, during which the youth attended different sessions to learn about the Syro-Malabar Catholic faith and traditions; talked about moral relativism; gathered groups to discuss about our youth groups; participated in Praise Night; attended English Mass and Adoration; and participated in a dodge ball tournament.
We also had the opportunity to listen to Jim Murphy speak about how he undertook a 4200 mile journey on foot across America, carrying a 6 foot cross in an effort of prayer and evangelization. Overall, this was a wonderful experience that allowed the youth of this region to meet one another, and strengthened our relationship, understanding, and love for God.
We also had the opportunity to listen to Jim Murphy speak about how he undertook a 4200 mile journey on foot across America, carrying a 6 foot cross in an effort of prayer and evangelization. Overall, this was a wonderful experience that allowed the youth of this region to meet one another, and strengthened our relationship, understanding, and love for God.