NEWSWATCH | KAIROS GLOBAL | JANUARY 2020

Jesus Youth UAE Jubilee 2019

January 2019 marked the beginning of the Jubilee Year for Jesus Youth UAE, with the inaugural mass being held on 11 January 2019 near the same venue, the basketball court, where the first JY gathering took place 25 years ago. 

Every Jesus Youth across UAE began to prepare with prayer and thanksgiving for the Jubilee. Jubilee prayer cards and candles were distributed to everyone. The Jubilee was lifted up in prayer during group meetings and at homes. More than 1000 Jesus Youth including families, youth and teens participated in the monthly night vigils, which started from June and continued every second Thursday of the month.

The first phase of the Jubilee, the RECOLLECT phase, commenced in March.  Material for reflection was handed out with an invitation to spend a few hours completely devoid of distractions; to sit, reflect and recollect each individual’s journey with the movement so far. The Jubilee cross carrying soil from the 8 regions of UAE was also blessed and began its journey from Al Ain, moving across all regions before finally reaching the venue in Ras Al Khaimah on the eve of the conference. 

The second phase of the Jubilee - RECONNECT started after the recommitment day. Reflection was based on material that focused on four areas, reconnecting with God, others, nature and myself. This found Jesus Youth reconnecting with old members, who had migrated or lost contact with the movement for various reasons and brought in a renewed zeal, which served as a platform for reconciliation with Jesus Youth worldwide enabling a joint celebration of the Jubilee. 

The final phase of the Jubilee called REJOICE then began. Just as the name, Jesus Youth from all over UAE eagerly waited in joyful anticipation, for the Jubilee conference that was fast approaching, rejoicing over the gift of the movement.

The culmination of all the phases, the preparation, effort and graces was all seen at the much awaited Jubilee Conference which took place from November 30 to December 2  in St. Antony of Padua Catholic Church, hosting over 3000 delegates. Every single day of the Conference could be described as blessed, with an abundance of joy, thanksgiving, prayer, music and dance. Various bands performed and speakers gave talks across five streams- Family, Youth, Teens, Pre-teens and Kids. 

There were also delegates from other GCC countries, Africa and Jordan, including Jesus Youth Priests. Apart from Stage events, several offstage events such as Exhibitions, Game Zones, Stalls, Treasure hunts, Virtual and Augmented reality initiatives by the Media Booth, brought out a unique Conference experience for everyone. 

The Jubilee had the privilege of being one of the first Catholic conferences that had its program venues spread across churches of different denominations, even covering the land in between! It was also the first Jubilee that was celebrated on a foreign soil after the movement crossed the borders of the country where it started. Smooth running of every event was ensured by the tireless efforts of more than 300 volunteers. Rightly named ‘Jubilee Warriors’, they were ready, at any moment, to extend support for any requirement and assisted the participants throughout the days of the conference. Adding to all these blessings was the Vatican approving Plenary Indulgence for all those who attended the Jubilee conference either in person or through online streaming platforms.

Jesus Youth India National Trainings 2019

The 2019 National Trainings were held at St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Goa. The resources were Subin Jacob, Dr. Vinoy Thomas OP, Jacob Jose, Manoj Sunny, Dr. Edward Edezath, Raiju Varghese, Shoy Thomas and Jose Sebastian.

National Leaders Training was held from November 1 - 10. 22 participants attended the training and were deeply enriched with sessions based on various topics like integrity, paradigm shift, biblical leadership, stewardship, using charisms, knowing the vision and working style of the movement, planting and building youth ministry, public speaking etc. 

National Animators Training was held from November 4 -10. The program focused on Growing in Holiness, Today’s Youth, Ministering to Youth, Knowing Jesus Youth in depth, Role of Laity and Ecclesial Movements in the Church, Peacemaking, Mentoring, Being a pastor, Being an Elder, Functioning of Jesus Youth teams and other important topics.  

The participants were commissioned by Bishop Alex Vadakumthala, Ecclesiastical Advisor to Jesus Youth India. 

YESHU RAPHA 19 – Doctors Retreat, Kerala India

YESHU RAPHA 19, Jesus Heals, a retreat for doctors, was held on the 16 and 17 of November 2019, at the scenic and serene Maria Rani centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

130 doctors with their families attended the weekend stay- in retreat that was organized by the Doctors’ stream of the Jesus Youth Professional Ministry Initiative. The retreat was the result of a yearlong chain of prayer, intercession and planning. Doctors from varied specialties working in government, private, corporate, mission hospitals and teaching institutions, from across Kerala, participated with great zeal and a deep desire to join together in fellowship and worship. Reverend Fr. Daniel Poovannathil, Rev. Fr. Adarsh, Rev. Fr. Shoji, Rev. Fr. Johnson Thaivilayil and team directed the Spirit filled sessions. The core message of the talks was to be outstanding witnesses for Christ in the work place. We were encouraged to read the gospel every day, and live the gospel to evangelise. Dr Dave, Dr Mathew Marian and Dr Mathew George shared their personal journeys with Jesus, devotion to mother Mary, their struggles and the mighty hand of God guiding and sustaining them in their personal and professional lives. Our mentor Rev. Fr. Dr. Mathew Abraham, a medical doctor who is a community medicine specialist and Director of Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), Hyderabad, spent the entire two days with the doctors celebrating Holy Mass and helping in the organizational planning for doctors’ stream.

The weekend gathering of doctors was a memorable and deep experience of personal growth in the love of God, fellowship and was a new anointing for all, thus living  up to the theme of the retreat “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings”  (Malachi 4:2)