Tamil-speaking youth participate in the Pre-Synod Youth Assembly.
By Malacca Johore Diocesan Synod Team
May 5 2022
MELAKA – The Church of St Francis Xavier welcomed 40 Tamil-speaking youth for Melaka Vicariate’s Pre Synod Youth assembly. The youth were from the Church of St Francis Xavier, the Chapel of St Anne, Alor Gajah, the Chapel of St James, Merlimau, and the Church of the Holy Spirit, Jasin.
The gathering began with a half hour Adoration led by Fr Cyril Manayagam, who invited the participants to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. After the Adoration, Fr Moses Rayappan, the head of the Synod team of the Diocese of Malacca Johore, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the youth for coming together as Church to share, listen to one another and reflect on how they can work better as a vicariate.
Fr Moses also reminded the participants not to only focus on the liturgical aspect but on their knowledge of the faith, and to discern if they were living as disciples of Jesus. Fr Cyril animated the session which covered the feedback from the synod questionnaire. This included the strengths, weaknesses and dreams for the future.
During the group discussion, the youth were very active in sharing their view points and concerns. There were calls for more programmes between the parishes for better cooperation and sharing of resources that was dampened for two years, due to the pandemic.
The culmination of the synodal process will be at the Diocesan Synod assembly on May 3, 2022 at the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Johor Bahru. – Herald Malaysia
