Why is Advent Important?

Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent, but more is involved. Advent gives us a vision of our lives as Christians and shows us the possibilities of life.

The vision of life that Advent gives us is twofold; it looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and it looks to the future when Christ will come again. In the interval between these two events we find meaning for our life as a Christian.

First we celebrate Christ-become-human. We view his life and experience his presence as a human being in our history. Christ came to show us what life can and should be. He gave us true and valid principles by which we can live true and valid lives. But Jesus knew that the human heart could not live in isolation. He formed the Church around the concept of a people held together by love. In that community we discover unlimited possibilities and meaning. Alone we can do nothing. Together we find real meaning.

When Christ left this earth, he did not abandon us. He remains with us in his Spirit, the Church, the sacraments, the Scriptures and each other. He lives in community with us and keeps his vision of life before us.

When Christ comes again, his presence will no longer be hidden behind the signs and symbols of the liturgy or the words of the Scriptures. His presence among us will be revealed in all its fullness, a presence that will never end, a presence that will perfect and complete our community.

This is the "greater significance" of Advent. In these few short weeks we take in the sweeping panorama of time - from Christ's birth to his Second Coming. The season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the future given to us by Christ.

Advent is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ's Second Coming. This means that when he comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep.

Season of Hope & Renaissance

Definition of Advent Hope

Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. While we typically regard Advent as a joyous season, it is also intended to be a period of preparation, much like Lent. Prayer, penance and fasting are appropriate during this season.

Advent is not as strict as Lent, and there are no rules for fasting, but it is meant to be a period of self-preparation. The purple color associated with Advent is also the color of penance. The faithful should fast during the first two weeks in particular and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The color of the Third Sunday of Advent is rose. This color symbolizes joy and represents the happiness we will experience when Jesus comes again. The Third Sunday is a day of anticipatory celebration. It is formerly called "Gaudete" Sunday; gaudete means "rejoice" in Latin.

Finally, Sundays during Advent, just as during Lent, should not be given to fasting, but instead to celebration because we celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord every Sunday. It is important to remember, however, there are no particular rules for how the laity should observe Advent.

Wishing you a Merry Christmass & looking forward to an Optimistic New Year of 2019 with good tidings.

Jesus We Trust In You!

Day of the African Child

Day of the African Child to be commemorated at St. Patrick's Parish, Makokoba, Bulawayo on 16 June 2018 under the theme "Leave no child behind for Africa's Development". For more information see details on the poster or visit the Youth Office.

St Joseph’s Deanery Young People’s Congress

St Joseph’s Deanery Young People’s Congress
By Prosper Ngwenya (St Partrick's Parish)

With the year of children and young people making its progress, St Joseph’s Deanery held its Young People’s congress from April 21 to April 23.
The congress, running under this year's theme “Children and Youth, a blessing to the church and family” was held at St Joseph’s Mission, with a huge attendance by Catholic Youth Association(CYA), Catholic Young Adults Association(CYAA) and Missionary Childhood Association(MCA) from Brunapeg and Minda.
Rev Fr Innocent Ndlovu the Dean priest of St Joseph’s in his homily during the congress challenged young people to take responsibility by playing a vital role in the church just like Christ did in his formative years as a 12 year old boy.
Issues discussed during the course of the congress included such health matters as hygiene, cleanliness next to Godliness, drugs and substance abuse and courtship and marriage as recognized by the church.
Addressing CYA and CYAA members on hygiene, an Environmental Health Technician, Ms Sabina Ncube, said there is need to preserve our environment so as to eradicate such diseases as cholera amongst others that remain a threat to humanity.
“Some young people are not well equipped with knowledge on the importance of hygiene and cleanliness hence they succumb to infectious diseases,” she said.
Mr Ndlovu, a pastoral worker, spoke about marriage choices and preparedness-a subject that attracted the attention of all participants.
He spoke on the types of marriages recognized in the country and urged young people to make use of priests and church elders so as to make informed decisions.
“Marriage is a sanctified gift from God and if one chooses to marry, they should pray about it so that God grants them a blessed union,” he said.
Rev Fr Batsirai Ruswa, Rev Fr Thomas Kutwa, Rev Fr Bothwell Nkomo, Rev Fr Eugene Marizane, Youth Office Coordinator, Mrs Florence Makhaza – Ngwenya, Advisors and Animators and CYAA leadership were also in attendance.

C.R.S Call for Funding Proposals for Catholic Young People's programmes and projects

A very good morning to you ALL. Wish to bring to your attention that C.R.S has some funds to support youth programmes in life skills, agriculture, livelihoods e.t.c Through the Youth Office we are encouraged to develop proposals for submission to C.R.S. An opportunity to tap into for self sustenance and development of our association and individual programmes.

Exciting times for Young People in our church in this Our Year. Lets organize ourselves and get busy. For more information visit the Youth Office or call 09 - 882727

Stay Blessed always.

Young People's Leadership Workshop

Greeting ALL. There shall be a leadership workshop on the 12th of May 2018 at Isinga Young People's Centre for all young leaders. Participants are expected to pay $0.50 and the workshop shall start at exactly 0830hrs and end at exactly 1400hrs. See you then.

Be Soft on Elders, Young People Urged - C.Y.A.A A.G.M

Be Soft on Elders, Young People Urged

By Tanaka Mrewa

BULAWAYO, April 20, 2018 — YOUNG people must be humble when engaging Church elders as they push for their total participation in Parish Life, Archdiocese of Bulawayo Youth Coordinator Florence Makhaza has said.

Makhaza made these remarks at the Catholic Young Adults Association Annual General Meeting held at Insinga Youth Centre in Bulawayo on April 18, 2018.

This followed sentiments from CYAA members and their advisors that although parishes were expected to fully integrate youths into everyday parish life, some of theme were adamant and continued to push youths aside in terms of their participation in their parish activities.

But Makhaza said youths must politely engage their elders if they had problems.

“It is important that as young people you mind the way you speak to your elders. An approach is key in all spheres of life. Approaching them with respect and politeness is the best way to come to favourable conclusions," Makhaza advised.

"If you demand things from them or just make orders of what you want chances of you reaching an agreement will be very limited,” she added.

However, those with problems in their parishes regards this year's resolutions must approach the youth office for help, Makhaza said.

“The [Youth] office is open to everyone. If there are any parishes that are having hard times in working peacefully at parish level between the children, young people and elders please do not hesitate to approach us,” she said, adding that her office had successfully intervened in the past. — Editing by Divine Dube

Upcoming Young People's Events in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo

Greeting to you ALL Young People in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo hope you remain blessed by the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Given we have for the first time a Young People's calendar were we shall celebrate or partake in particular events as a larger group i wish to remind or bring to your attention that the next calendar events; 12 May 2018 (Young People's Festival) and 16 June 2018 (Day of the African Child) there is consideration to merge these two events to be celebrated on 16 June 2018 to fully live up and have meaning of the Day of the African Child. As Catholic Young People in of Archdiocese of Bulawayo we will be celebrating our day with the thought in mind of how much a blessing we are to the church and our families.

The Youth Office is calling on ALL Young People regardless you in a association or not but a Catholic Young person to contribute ideas and activities which we would wish to have on our Young People's Festival day at a venue to be advised.

Please feel free to share your ideas with the Youth Office in the following contacts 09-882727 or WhatsApp the following Mr Prosper Ngwenya on 0773711007, Mr Tafadzwa Mabonga on 0777031899 or post in this platform. This exercise of gathering ideas will be open for 3 weeks, starting today running till 4th of May 2018. Take note we are a Christian people and above ALL Catholics so whatever we do has to be done in a manner of the church's teachings and uBuntu obulesimilo.

Thank you colleagues in advance. God bless you ALL.

2018 Annual General Meeting Notice

Good afternoon to you ALL brothers and sisters. Hope you had prayerful and a reflective Easter. Hereby is a notice of our Annual General Meeting scheduled for 18 April 2018 at Isinga Youth Centre, start time is 0800hrs.

The parish top 6 is expected to attend accompanied by their parish Advisors. May we come prepared to give a brief on our 1st Quarter and we hope to evaluate what we have done so far ahead of the remainder of our calendar.

Isinga Youth Administration has levied each parish to pay $5 for the six attending members. Thank you and looking forward to see you on the 18th of April 2018.

For further detail please get in touch with the Youth Office on 09-882727. Stay Blessed always.

Young Peoples Day of Prayer

A very good morning to you ALL fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Wish to bring to your attention our Young Peoples Day of Prayer programme on this Saturday from 0900hrs to 1545hrs at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Mpopoma. Hope to see most of you there. Siyaziswa ukuba size lezikhali zethu zokukhuleka ezigoqela iRosary, iBhayibheli kanye lesihlabelelo..

Youth Office, St. Mary’s Basilica
Young Peoples Day of Prayer at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish
Date: 10 March 2018; Time: 0900HRS

Order of Events
0900hrs : Welcome
0905hrs : Opening worship songs and prayer
0915hrs : Introduction of the Archbishop, Spiritual Director(s), Special Guests
and Agenda of the Day
0920hrs : Archbishop’s Address: Reading of the Papal message (WYD)
0945hrs : Stations of the Cross
* : Spiritual Director(s): Young People are a blessing to the church and
Family and Living our Faith
* : Theme Song: Bazali Lilomlandu
* : Meditation & Rosary – Sorrowful Mystery’s (C.Y.A)
* : Veneration of the Relic of the Cross of Christ then Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament [confessions, counselling and accompaniment]
1300hrs : Break
1330hrs : C.Y.A.A Reflection
1345hrs : Mass Preparation
1400hrs : Mass by His Grace, Archbishop Alex Thomas

1545hrs : Vote of thanks & departure

By Tanaka Mrewa

CCJP, an organ of the Catholic Church that mainly concentrates on teaching people issues of justice and peace, how to relate with one another and the environment has taken a step in conscientising and encouraging young people to register to vote.

Addressing leaders of Catholic Youth Association and Catholic Young Adults Association of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo on behalf of the organization at Isinga youth center on February 24, Rev Fr Christopher Ngwarai said there is need to eradicate voter’s apathy amongst the youth.

                                                                 

"Some of the young people are not well equipped with knowledge about the Biometric Voter's Registration. A few of them have registered to vote too hence we encourage them to embrace the new dispensation as it may be a ray of hope in our country," he said.

Fr Ngwarai said young people need to develop an interest in national issues, governance and to understand the dynamics of how things are done to try and eradicate unemployment.

Most Rev Fr Alex Thomas, Archbishop of the archdiocese of Bulawayo who also graced the workshop applauded CCJP and the young people for their good works within the diocese. He encouraged young people to look for good qualities in leaders when voting.

"Faith is the most important aspect of our lives, the rest can follow. It’s important to choose wisely our leaders-leaders who are God-fearing. We need to desist from violence and irresponsible behavior. Our speech and actions should complement our catholism all the time, “he said.

The spiritual advisor of young people in the Bulawayo archdiocese Rev Father Johannes Maseko commended the good attendance by the young people.

He said the church was impacting positively in conscientising and equipping young people with relevant knowledge.

"The church is having an impact in mobilizing young people. 50% of the diocesan population is made of young people and today 80% of the parishes are represented here. The leaders here present will go back to their parishes and help others understand the importance of registering to vote," he said.

He added "We also realize that these are the same people who interact on social media platforms and in person with the greater majority that hasn't registered to vote. Through this workshop we have ignited a fire of knowledge that we are positive will reach all the young people."

                                                                               Ms Eunice Gamera - ZEC officer

Ms Eunice Gamera, a ZEC officer who addressed the young people encouraged those who haven't registered to vote to do so. She also emphasized on the need for peace, citing that Christians should always be peace ambassadors so as to enable harmonized elections when the time comes.

The event was a lively one as young people actively participated during the course of the day. There was drama and poetry presentations that kept the participants alive throughout. Also present was the National Youth Advisor Mr Muchena, Fr Fikile Dlamini, Bulawayo archdiocese youth coordinator Ms Florence Makhaza and youth advisors from various parishes.

Ends///