It was a weekend of its kind in the newly created Fundong Deanery in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, as all roads leading to the beautiful Hills of Konene were busy with the youth moving in their numbers to participate in the World Youth Day celebrations at the Deanery Level. The celebrations, which started on Friday, February 23rd, and ended on Sunday, February 25th, witnessed the coming together of young people from the four main parishes that make up Fundong Deanery. These parishes are St. Joseph Parish Fonfuka, St. Therese Parish Ilung, St. Jude Parish Fundong, and St. Patrick Quasi Parish Konene, being the host.
The Theme for this World Youth Day celebration came from the book of the prophet Isaiah: “Those who hope in the Lord will regain their strength; they will run and will not grow weary; though they walk, they will never tire” (Isaiah 40:31). His Holiness Pope Francis chose this Theme for the World Youth Day Celebrations of this Year. This Theme guided all the activities of the young people during this weekend of bonding as the Young People of the Deanery. The celebration witnessed the enthusiastic participation of the youth from the Deanery. They engaged in various activities, including talks on the Theme of the event and a discussion on drug and substance abuse. The event also featured choral singing, traditional dances, a football match for both boys and girls, a socio-cultural evening, and much more. During the few days together, the young people actively participated in the liturgy and all the other activities.
On the last day, we had a Closing Mass led by the Archdiocesan Youth Chaplain with the Deanery Youth Chaplain and all the various Youth Chaplains from the various Parishes present. During this Mass, the youth were encouraged to use their energy to serve God and the Church and always keep the strong zeal of hope burning. After the Holy Mass, the youths were all handed Bibles and Rosaries, which will be their tools in keeping the faith alive. They all ate and started heading to our various parishes, recounting the amazing weekend experience.
Suliy Celestine Kiven MHM
