OLOH Youth Camp 2025: A Journey of Faith, Friendship, and Fun

Abhishek Papaya 

From October 19 to 21, 26 young hearts from Our Lady of Health Church, Versova embarked on an unforgettable journey to Don Bosco, Palghar, for the much awaited OLOH Youth Camp 2025. The three-day camp, organised by the Youth Core Committee under the guidance of animators Antoinette and Mervin, was a beautiful blend of laughter, learning, and spiritual renewal.

Welcomed with open arms by Br Savio, whose warmth and joy filled the Camp with light, the youth quickly found themselves immersed in days filled with energy and reflection. From intense and hilarious rounds of Traitors and Pip, Squeak, and Wilber to insightful and heartfelt talks and sessions, every moment was crafted to build bonds and strengthen faith.

The Camp was not just about games; it was about growth. Mornings began with prayer and ended with the peaceful rhythm of the Rosary under the stars. One of the highlights was an outing to the scenic Sunrise Point to witness the beauty of Creation and share moments of quiet reflection.

On the second night, the Camp came alive with a series of skits that had everyone letting out their inner Bollywood star. Laughter echoed through the air as creativity and humour filled the stage. The evening flowed into a beautiful bonfire night, where everyone gathered around the flames to burn away their worries, and celebrate the love and joy of coming together as one.

The spirit of community extended beyond the camp grounds as the group enjoyed delicious home-cooked meals prepared by the village families nearby. Visiting their homes and sharing meals offered a new perspective on simplicity and gratitude, creating memories that everyone carried home with a smile.

As the camp drew to a close, one thing was clear: OLOH Youth Camp 2025 was more than an event. It was an experience of faith, friendship, and unity. Bonds were strengthened, hearts were uplifted, and every camper returned home a little more connected to God, to one another, and to themselves.

Faith, Fun and Friendship: A Leadership Camp to Remember!

Ashlita Mathias

The Leadership Camp organised from October 20-23, 2025 at Mount Carmel Church, Korlai, was an enriching and unforgettable experience! 

Along with the priests and coordinators, 30 youth from Sacred Heart Church (Vashi) embarked on this journey on a somewhat sceptical note, that soon turned out to be four days filled with joy, learning, and deep bonding! 

From singing in the bus with laughter erupting at every turn to the thrilling game of hide and seek (that had everyone amazed at the creative hiding spots perfectly camouflaged with Nature) to football in the rains and every other game thrown in, there was no stopping!

The insightful sessions on leadership conducted by Fr Ronny Vaz, and the team games during every session, strengthened our unity, and truly inspired us to grow as better individuals and leaders. 

This camp was a perfect blend of fun, faith, friendship and everything in between. While the mornings began with the Holy Eucharist and beautiful reflections, the evenings were filled with Praise and worship and peaceful walking Rosary after meals, ensuring we kept Jesus in the centre of all that we did.

Wrapped in Nature's embrace, walking up in the sun-soaked mountains, visiting forts, to the beach water dips, we all had each other's back, learning to be responsible for ourselves and one another. 

Our heartfelt gratitude to the Korlai Parish Priest, Fr Bonaventure Nunes, for taking great care of all of us. The hospitality of the parishioners was heartwarming, and the food served was super delicious. 

Youth Outreach to St Catherine's Home, Andheri

Neha Treesa Joseph                                                                           

The outreach visit to St Catherine's Home, Andheri was far more than just an experience; it was a profoundly humbling encounter that filled our hearts with gratitude for the countless blessings we often take for granted.

Organised by the St Blaise Youth Ministry on October 2, the outreach brought together 25 parish youth, accompanied by our Spiritual Director, Fr Cajetan Mendes, and the Youth Animators. We arrived around 2 p.m. and were greeted with warm smiles and hospitality.

Sr Venita, our gracious host, introduced us to the vibrant world that thrives within the green walls of St Catherine's — a world that opened our eyes and touched our hearts deeply. She began by sharing the inspiring story of the Home's origins. 

Every child at St Catherine's has a story — stories that might have been overshadowed by society's judgments, if not for the unwavering love and faith of the Sisters. As Sr Venita spoke of the girls' journeys — their perseverance, transformation, and success — her eyes glistened with the pride of a mother. Within those green walls, we witnessed a sanctuary where brokenness is met with compassion, and despair is transformed into hope.

We moved into small groups, each paired with a group of children. To make the afternoon lively and meaningful, we organised interactive games that encouraged communication, teamwork, and confidence — especially Public Speaking. Though the children were shy at first, it wasn't long before laughter and singing filled the air. Their joy was infectious, and the room came alive with a spirit of togetherness.

Later, we were invited to visit the section of the Home that cares for infants and toddlers. Nothing could have prepared us for the tender beauty of that space. Some babies slept peacefully, others danced and giggled to cheerful tunes, while a few played gleefully in their little corners. The room pulsed with a quiet rhythm of innocence and love — a moment so pure it etched itself in our hearts forever.

The entire experience was a lesson in humility and gratitude. It reminded us how easily we overlook the simple blessings of life — the warmth of family, the comfort of home, the gift of education, and the freedom to dream. The children's resilience and radiant smiles taught us that joy doesn't depend on material abundance, but on love, faith, and the ability to find beauty in small moments.

MAGIS 2025 – Step in to Step Out

Magis 2025, the much-awaited Jesuit youth event, made its inspiring stop at St Peter's Church, Bandra, from October 20 to 22. Over 300 young people gathered with open hearts to encounter Jesus — both inwardly          and outwardly.

Drawing inspiration from the Gospel passage where Jesus challenges Peter to walk on water, the theme "Step in to Step Out" came alive throughout the event. Just as Peter was saved by Jesus when he began to sink, and the storm calmed once they entered the boat together, so too did the youth at Magis step into the boat with Christ — to be renewed, strengthened, and sent forth into the world transformed.

The three-day programme was a vibrant blend of spirituality, fellowship, outreach, prayer, music, and joyful community. The inaugural ceremony beautifully symbolised the theme: participants crossed a symbolic "boat" to enter the church, signifying their desire to step in with Christ and be nourished by the Holy Eucharist, celebrated by Fr Omar Fernandes, Assistant Youth Director of the DYC.

At the heart of the Magis experience are its five foundational pillars: Prayer, Eucharist, Experience, Magis Circle, and Examen. This year, participants engaged in two distinct types of "Experiences" — one focused on Ignatian Spirituality workshops, and the other on outreach to various social institutions.

The Spirituality workshops invited the youth to "find God in all things," particularly through acts of service and reflection. The outreach groups visited old age homes, shelters for the destitute, homes for the specially abled, and orphanages. These encounters were both humbling and uplifting — challenging on one hand, yet deeply fulfilling as the youth brought joy and hope to others.

In the Magis Circles, participants gathered in small groups for spiritual conversation, sharing their experiences and the inner movements of their hearts. These sharings were heartfelt and profound, as many began to recognise God's presence even in the ordinary and everyday moments of life.

The entire programme was designed to make spirituality both engaging and real. Every activity sought to deepen community bonds, inspiring the youth to carry forward the spirit of Magis well beyond the event. True to its Latin origin, Magis (meaning "more") called each participant to become more for Christ and more for others.

Friendships were formed and rekindled, faith was deepened, and hearts were set aflame with purpose. In the concluding session, each group created a three-month action plan to continue their service within their communities — a concrete step toward living out the Magis spirit.

While the rest of the country was illuminated with Diwali lights, the young people of Magis gathered to become a living reflection of Christ's light. The event concluded with a moving Eucharistic celebration, as all prayed for the grace to step out into the world, transformed by the light of Christ.

When Faith, Fun and Friendship took the field

Lanna Menezes President, South Mumbai Deanery Youth Council

Who would've thought that a little rain could make the day even more memorable? On Sunday, October 26, the MSSA Grounds near CSMT station came alive with laughter, cheer, and unstoppable energy as the youth of the South Mumbai Deanery gathered for their first-ever Sports Day, and what a day it turned out to be!

Titled 'Sprint with the Spirit: A SoBo Showdown,' the morning began with a prayer led by our Deanery Youth Director, Fr Joshan Rodrigues, setting the tone for a day filled with spirit and joy. Fr Joshan said that these events help us emerge from narrow parochial attitudes, and see ourselves as members of the Universal Church and the Body of Christ. 

From the moment the whistle blew, the excitement was electric. A total of 119 participants from 8 parishes came together to compete across eight thrilling events - from sprints (100 m, 200 m, and 400 m) to tug of war, penalty shootouts, and a few more. For some, it was a trip down memory lane, reliving the thrill of their school Sports Days; for others, it was their very first time stepping onto the track, and they did so with courage and smiles.

Nelson Mandela once said, "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand." And that's exactly what we witnessed. Every cheer, every high-five, every shout of encouragement echoed one thing - the youth of our parishes know how to show up, give their all, and lift each other higher.

Midway through the day, even the clouds decided to join the fun, and poured down on us! But instead of running for cover, the youth chose to keep playing. The tracks turned slippery, the field turned soggy, and the spirit turned unstoppable. 

As the final whistle blew, it wasn't just about medals or victories; it was about the laughter shared, the bonds formed, and the memories created. Of course, there was still plenty to celebrate: 99 medals were awarded across events to winners of all parishes, with St Francis Xavier Church, Dabul taking home the top honour of Overall Best Performing Parish and St Anne Church, Mazagaon proudly finishing as Runners-Up.

Whether standing on the podium or cheering from the sidelines, everyone was a winner that day. The real prize was the unity that filled the grounds, the friendships formed in the rain, and that incredible feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves.

By evening, as everyone packed up – drenched, exhausted, but glowing with joy – one thought echoed all around: "We have to do this more often!"

The first-ever South Mumbai Deanery Sports Day wasn't just a day of competition. It was a reminder that joy is contagious, teamwork is powerful, and a little bit of rain can make even the best days unforgettable.

Andheri West Deanery Youth Day 2025 

Rellesa Fernandes

On the evening of October 26, 2025, the youth of the Andheri West Deanery came together at St Blaise Church, Amboli, to celebrate Deanery Youth Day 2025 – an evening filled with faith, joy, and a deep sense of belonging. The theme, "God's Plan: Never Out of Season," beautifully resonated through every moment of the celebration.

Though the rain poured down, the showers could not dampen the spirit of over 140 young hearts, whose laughter and enthusiasm shone brighter than the clouds above.

The evening opened with a soul-stirring session of Praise and Worship, led by the St Blaise Youth, filling the church with melodies of gratitude, praise, and heartfelt prayer. This was followed by a lively icebreaker game that brought smiles, laughter, and a renewed sense of connection among everyone present.

The highlight of the evening was a deeply engaging and interactive session with Fr Gavin Lopez, known for his warmth and passion for Youth Ministry. Through his talk, he invited the young people to reflect on how God's plan often unfolds in unexpected ways – reminding them that when certain doors close, it may not be an ending, but rather God's gentle redirection towards something greater. His words touched many hearts, inspiring everyone to trust more deeply in God's perfect timing.

The celebration continued with vibrant performances from youth groups across the deanery. Through song, dance, and creative expression, the participants shared their faith and joy, each performance radiating the beauty of God's unique gifts at work in every individual.

As the evening drew to a close, the Deanery Council led everyone in the uplifting DYC Anthem, uniting voices and hearts in praise and thanksgiving. The spirit of fellowship and faith that filled the space was a true testimony to the theme – that God's plan is indeed never out of season.

A heartfelt word of gratitude goes out to all Parish Priests, Youth Directors, the organisers and volunteers whose dedication and enthusiasm made DYD 2025 a resounding success. A special thanks to Fr Melroy Mendonca, Deanery In-Charge of Youth of Andheri West, for his constant support, encouragement, and guidance throughout the journey.