Bellary Priests Commit Themselves to Tone Up Youth Ministry

BELLARY, DEC. 12: The diocesan priests and religious pastoral clergy committed themselves to effectively promote youth ministry in the diocese. Fr. Christopher Crasta msfs, a noted youth animator, facilitated the seminar on pastoral ministry for youth on December 12 at St. Anthony Centre, Bellary, for the pastoral clergy. He insisted on the need of befriending, accompanying and mentoring youth, no matter what background they come from or what their behavior is. "Youth are our present and they are our future. We need to work with them, to ensure that they too enthusiastically participate in the Church's life and activities", added Fr. Crasta. "All pastors need to shed the fear of fear and be their friends and mentors. Preaching alone will not help; they need role models, who can not only teach, but edify", affirmed Fr. Christopher who himself was a youth animator. The programme was organized by the diocese as an effort to promote on-going formation of priests and in the context of the recently concluded synod of Bishops. The priests drew up an action plan for provide effective pastoral ministry for youth in the forthcoming Diocesan Year of Youth.