Shanti Ashram, a Mill Hill mission in the Diocese of Varanasi, recently hosted a vibrant and heartwarming Sports Day, bringing together youth from the local mission and the neighbouring parish of Shivpur. The event, held on August 17th, was organized by Fr. Marianna, who has been actively engaging with young people in and around the Ashram and building strong ties within the diocese.
As the Regional Representative, I happened to be present during my visitation to the mission and had the joy of witnessing this vibrant gathering first-hand. It was heartening to see how such a simple initiative could foster such a powerful sense of unity and joy among the youth.
The main feature of the afternoon was a friendly shuttle match between the youth of Shanti Ashram and a team of 30 young people from Shivpur Parish, led by their parish priest, Fr. Raju. Despite a brief spell of heavy rain, the games carried on with great energy and enthusiasm. The young participants displayed not only athletic talent but also team spirit and camaraderie.
After the matches, everyone gathered for a fellowship meal, which fostered a deeper sense of unity, friendship, and collaboration between the two communities. It was a simple yet powerful expression of what can happen when we invest in relationships and create space for young people to come together.
Fr. Marianna has been doing wonderful work in reaching out to the youth of his mission and nurturing a sense of belonging and purpose. His consistent efforts to maintain good contact with the priests and religious across the diocese are helping to foster a fraternal spirit of brotherhood, central to the Mill Hill missionary vision.
Events like this remind us that mission is also about presence, participation, and creating opportunities for young people to grow in faith and fellowship.
Tomvenki Yellavula, MHM
Regional Representative – India Region
