On Saturday 29 July 2024 - Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul - the youth at Holy Rosary Parish came together for a day of retreat, deepening on their faith and Catholic identity. They invited me to be with them for the celebration of the Mass.
The particular thing of the event was that it did not happen at "Holy Rosary Parish" (Mankayane) but at one of the parish outstations: Dwalile.
Bishop, we could have come together at the parish but it is the jubilee year. We are being called to "come out". Dwalile is the furthest outstation. The parish has every resource, the outstation does not. That is why we chose to come here.
It was a "coming out" for me too as it took me about two hours to reach the place which is by the border with South Africa.
The cold weather did not scare young people and elders from the area. The chapel was full by the time I arrived and we shared something warm after Mass.
A week later another event took place, this time in Manzini: "The Youth Skills festival". It is done every year and normally held at St Theresa's High School.
It is an opportunity for the young people to showcase their skills, small projects and other personal initiatives but also to learn where to find support for them.
These initiatives makes it clear that our young people are alive, coming out and making sure they help each other grow in every aspect of their lives.
