by Father Mayank Parmar for BISMumbai

The Umreth Deanery Youth Seminar 2021 was held at Amrutdhara Don Bosco Animation Center Kapadvanj, by the Salesian Youth Movement, Gujarat in collaboration with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Divine Mercy Youth Conference, Umreth from 31 October 2021 to 02 November 2021. The theme was 'Moved by Hope' following the Strenna of the Rector Major. The 03-day youth seminar, attended by 90 young people, was entirely coordinated by Umreth Deanery Youth core team through planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating.

The seminar began with inaugural Eucharistic celebration by Father Vikram Mahida-Ahmedabad Diocese Youth Director. He shared in the homily that there are vices which God doesn't like and the virtues God likes quoting the scriptures. Then the short inaugural ceremony was held in which all the volunteers, animators and trainers were introduced. The first session was conducted by Shailesh Christie who dealt with the theme Moved by Hope with Self. He helped the youth in dealing with self using the SWOT analysis. The afternoon session was conducted by Father Ajay Shelke and Brother Royston Colaco. They both divided the whole group into 06 teams. Then a variety of activities were carried out through chart presentation. Again in the evening, both conducted outdoor games which youth enjoyed the most. Father Mahida later addressed the youth on making themselves affirmed in the decisions they make. After dinner, night games were organised by the core team with Fathers Shelke, Macwan and Brother Colaco.

Day 02 began with meditation animated by Father Ashwin Macwan. The 1st session on Moved by Hope with Church was conducted by Father Pravin Makwana and then Father Araskumar continued the session giving scriptural aspects. Then, the youth had an interaction which was very fruitful. Ahmedabad Diocese Bishop Rethna Swami was the main celebrant and appealed to the youth to be active participants in the church. After lunch, Father Mayank Parmar, Shailesh Parmar and Francis Diarsa helped the youth to frame documents to be presented to the diocese for Synod 2023. The youth then prepared for a musical evening. Later in the evening youth were guided by priests and nuns individually. This was the most cherishing moment youth enjoyed. The musical evening was full of variety stage performance by groups and individuals.

Day 03 began with the nuns sharing their charism of the congregation. The first two sessions were by Rajesh Christian and Pinky Christian who dealt with the theme Moved by Hope with Society. They helped youth to work for a social cause. Father Lawrence Martis was the main celebrant for the Eucharistic. He shared in the homily that youth should be the light of the and salt of the earth. After lunch, Father Parmar helped the youth to look ahead in life and showed them a way forward. An evaluation was conducted in which many youth expressed their opinion saying that this was one of the most memorable seminar which they have been part of.

Kevin Parmar-Umreth Deanery Youth President said, "it was really an opportunity for me to be part of the seminar and also to be animator of the group." Saloni Parmar-ICYM Core Committee member remarked, "this seminar was well planned, well organised and well executed."