The youth event Conversation with the Bishop was held on November 23, 2024, at the Cecelia Hall, Convent of Mercy Academy ‘Alpha’. The topic was ‘Birth of a New Church: Making Your Voice Be Heard’. It was an event for all the persons who received the sacrament of confirmation between the years 2014 to 2024. As we all know the youths are not only the future of the church, but they are also the present. What better way to start a ‘new church’ than including the persons who are to be building the denomination and one day take it over completely.
The bishop’s aim was to get insight from the youths’ perspectives on what’s happening in the church communities, how they can be fixed and improved for future times. The day started off with devotion which was led by Fr. Mario Burton.
Afterwards Fr. Peter McIsaac, S.J gave a presentation on having a conversation with the spirit. In groups of six (6), he gave the youths a chance to reflect on what they think the holy spirit is telling them about the most important issue they are having in their church community and the best solution to that problem. Lastly, the confirmands had the opportunity to have a face-to-face conversation with The Most Rev. Archbishop Kenneth Richards. In this conversation he shared the current vision he had for the catholic church and asked the confirmands if they felt the same or what they think needs to be changed or added. The confirmands also had the option of asking questions they desperately needed answers to; whether it was written or asked verbally. Archbishop Kenneth Richards left no question unanswered and gave very extensive and detailed responses which left the confirmands satisfied and optimistic about the changes that are to come.
This event was the first step in restoring unity among the church parishes with the hope of rebuilding the denomination. It was truly an eye-opening experience to see that many of the issues being faced are common among the church communities and the youths are willing to take a stance for changes to be made for everyone to move forward in their faith with love and understanding.
