Latest update October 9th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 08, 2014 Sports
The resuscitated St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Youth Club (SFXRYC) to date has completed over 50 activities/programmes. This was revealed by mentor of the club, Mr. Hilbert Foster, who and his group members paid a visit to the Church of the Ascension in New Amsterdam last Sunday. The group members, all decked out in their blue
jerseys, were accompanied, too, by Fr. Ramesh Vanan, SJ. The aim of the club is to make a difference in the lives of youths, elderly and less- fortunate.
Additionally, every birthday person at St. Francis Xavier receives a gift, something that will be ongoing throughout 2014. In chronicling the club’s achievements since October last year, Foster reminded all that the club donated $175,000 in musical equipment to St. Francis Xavier Church in Port Mourant and a new choir was formed which also received gowns compliments of Mrs. Doris Lewis of Georgetown.
A monthly leaflet is also being produced, bringing the public up to date with activities of the group. A monthly TV programme on Dave’s Television (DTV-8) has also been on the air twice per month, he added. A massive Christmas concert was held in December at the church which attracted hundreds. Last Saturday, the young people of the church, he said, produced and participated in a TV commercial about suicide. “This will be aired every day on DTV-8 for at least 6 times per day as we try to get young people to say ‘no’ to suicide and ‘yes’ to life…and to Jesus.” Some posters were also printed about suicide and drugs, with the help of the Bank of Nova Scotia.
A monthly hamper programme for senior citizens was also introduced in the home parish and the initiative has also been extended to the Church of the Ascension whereby 6 senior citizens will benefit from hampers on a monthly basis. Every month, he added, the club visits 3 Catholic homes where prayer services are held. Every member of the church at Port Mourant was also given a gift “and every Catholic family in Port Mourant received a package and every single Catholic child in Berbice was given a toy for Christmas.”
Another major activity is a monthly Bible study for young people in the church. “Our worship is now extra special and our singing has much improved and our church members are quickly returning to the fold and the pews…”
Outlining future plans, Foster said that the club will be producing a magazine, a rarity for the Catholic Church in Guyana. On February 24, the club will be traveling to Splashmins for a day of fun and relaxation. He immediately extended the invitation to Ascension and Springlands parishes where an outdoor Mass will be said. “We will also be having a joint Mass with N/A, Springlands, Black Bush and Palmyra—we hope to make that special while we plan to invite N/A and Springlands for a Spelling-Bee and debating competition between our Sunday Schools and our young people—and this will be happening in two months.”
He also extended an invitation to the choir at Ascension to the club’s very first Musical Festival to be held on Mashramani Day (February 23) at 3:00pm at the St. Francis RC Church. The winning choir will take home $100,000 “so could your church please get yourselves in order for the 23rd of this month—but don’t think you will beat Port Mourant,” he said with a laugh.
On May 26, Foster also invited all Catholic churches along the coastline of Guyana “where we will have a day of singing—we are hoping to have 40 churches from across Guyana—each church will sing one song and the Bishop has accepted our invitation…each choir will sing one song without instruments and the winning prize is $100,000, while the second prize is $50,000 and third prize will be $25,000 and you will have to sing a song from our Catholic hymnal.”
The group sang ‘Here I am Lord’ so beautifully for the Ascension congregation during the Mass last Sunday after which they donated 3 basketballs to the youth of the parish and receiving on their behalf was Bro. Stanley Lawrence.
Six elderly persons also received hampers after which twelve youths between the ages of 10-13 received 12 educational packages under the club’s reading programme. Fr. Michael Traher, SFM extended thanks and appreciation to Mr. Foster and the group for their generosity and visit just before the final blessing.
October 1st turn off your lights to bring about a change!
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