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August 28, 2018
Ruwi (28 August 2018).
The 2nd edition of the 3-day Oman Catholic Youth Convention, “Ablaze” was held at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi. The theme of the Conference was centered on the Emmaus Experience - “Were not our hearts burning within us as He explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).The event began on the evening of Thursday 23rd August and concluded on the evening of Saturday 25th August. More than 200 catholic youth of various age groups eagerly came from different parts of the country to experience the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Below is a preview of the programme.Day-1 (Opening, Focus on God’s Love)
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Inauguration ceremony (youth carry lights to adorn the central altar and with flags of the respective participating parishes)
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Opening of the conference by Fr. Raul Ramos, Parish Priest of Sts. Peter and Paul, Ruwi
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Introduction of resource speakers (Br. Lenny Soares and Fr. Rodson Goes)
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God's love [Br. Lenny]
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Holy Mass
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Adoration
Day-2 (Focus on Relationship with Christ)
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Praise and worship
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Sin and Repentance [Br. Lenny]
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Salvation in Jesus Christ [Fr. Rodson]
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Lunch break/ fellowship
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Praise and worship
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Confession [Fr. Rodson]
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Examination of Conscience [Br. Lenny]
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Inner healing adoration
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Holy Mass
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Gospel Concert
Day-3 (Person, Gifts and Life with the Holy Spirit)
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Praise and worship
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Person of the Holy Spirit [Fr. Rodson]
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Fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit [Br. Lenny]
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Infilling Session
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Praise and worship
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Life in the Holy Spirit [His Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder]
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Laying on of hands on all the participants [Priests and the Bishop]
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Holy Mass
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Closing ceremony (features dances and video incorporating the highlights of the conference)
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Gospel band lead youth in praise with a medley of popular gospel tracks.
The Bishop gave a moving and inspiring talk on living with the Holy Spirit based on his own life experiences. He started by sharing with the young people how, in 1956, (when he was just 14 years old), he learnt by heart the Sequence of Pentecost in Latin, and later the Hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus,” and how both these prayers have still accompanied him every day of his life. In the Nicene Creed, we declare our faith in the Holy Spirit by saying, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver of life.” This passage is taken from the Scripture passage in Genesis on the creation of man, where God breathed into the nostrils of Adam and he came to life. The same Holy Spirit thus extends to us a “life-saving action”! He is the one who overcomes the deadly poison in our lives, and who helps us in life-threatening situations.The Holy Spirit helps us to act in difficult situations. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our inner teacher; He pours God’s love into our hearts. We are sealed with the gift of this Spirit in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. (cf. Mark 13.11; 1 Co 3.16-17, 1 Co 6.19-20, 2 Co 6.16; Jn 14.16, 26; Rm 5.5)
We can “enliven” the gift of the Spirit which is in us, by making short prayers throughout the day - The Glory Be.. is a short but powerful prayer that we can make. Similarly tracing the Sign of the Cross, or Signing ourselves in the Name of the Holy Trinity protects us.
To live with the Holy Spirit, we are to form our conscience (our inner voice) and to follow it. Quoting St. Thomas Aquinas, the Bishop reminded us that the New Law, or the Law of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit in person. The presence of the Holy Spirit helps us to live the New Law. Without His presence, living a life of the Gospels is not possible.
The Life of the Spirit is visible in the life of people by the good works that the Spirit brings forth within them.
Photos: Click here. -