National Youth Sunday is celebrated all over India in the month of August. The Youth Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Nashik also decided to celebrate the National Youth Day on Sunday, August 25, 2024. Since the Diocese is far spread out geographically, the programme for the youth has been organized in different Zones. In view of the National Youth Day, a one-day programme for the youth of the Khandesh Zone was organized at St Anne Church, Dhule on August 25, 2024. Khandesh Zone comprises of Jalgaon, Dhule, Bhusawal, Shirpur and Nandurbar parishes. There were 35 youth present from Jalgaon, Dhule, Bhusawal and Shirpur parishes. The day began with the registration and breakfast for all the youth present. Then there was a ceremony of the lighting of the lamp after which Fr Kishor Vidhate, Diocesan Youth Director explained about the National Youth Day celebration.
Thereafter an ice-breaker was conducted by Fr Kishor Vidhate where all the youth from different parishes got to know each other. Later Fr Vivian Lopes SJ conducted a session on the participation of the youth in the Church. Sr Mary and Sr Sarika conducted some games for the youth. Later Fr Kishor conducted a session on the importance of values in the life of a youth. Bishop Barthol Barretto made himself available for this programme. During the group discussion, he visited all the groups and motivated them. Later, Bishop Barthol celebrated the Eucharist for the youth and in his homily, he encouraged the youth to be agents of change in our society. The programme ended with snacks and prize distribution and a vote of Thanks. Fr Wilson Rodrigues Parish Priest of the host parish worked hard for the success of the youth programme.