‘Choose To Be Spiritually Thankful’, Archbishop Dabula Mpako Tells Youth at Opening Mass

by Daluxolo Moloantoa · February 6, 2023

After a week of heavy rainfall, the skies opened up to a bright day for the launch of the archdiocese of Pretoria’s youth commission year opening Mass at the Most Holy Redeemer Mission in Mmakau Village, north-west Pretoria.

Held this past Saturday, the Mass attracted over two hundred young people from parishes across the archdiocese.

The day started off with a motivational talks session in the church.

Several speakers spoke on various topics affecting young people today, from spiritual nourishment, goal-setting, career guidance etc.

In his homily, the archdiocese of Pretoria Archbishop Dabula Mpako made use of several anecdotes to illustrate his point.

Archbishop Dabula Mpako and new spiritual director for youth, Fr Tshepang Dithipe

He told the story of two prisoners looking outside a prison window. One prisoner looked down at the ground. All he saw was mud and long grass growing on the ground. The second prisoner looked up at the sky. He saw a bright moon and twinkling stars. The archbishop used the anecdotes to demonstrate that in any situation in one’s life, choices were crucial to how one viewed their circumstances.

“If you as young people choose to become spiritually grateful, that is to be thankful for even the most minute of things in your life, you’ll be setting a good foundation for any circumstances that you may face in the future,” he said.

After the Mass, the archbishop introduced the new spiritual director for young people in the archdiocese. Fr Tshepang Dithipe is no stranger to the Most Holy Redeemer Church.

He attended all his schooling, from primary to high school at the mission’s Morekolodi Primary School and Tsogo High School. He was ordained a priest in April 2022.

A representative of the youth commission spelt out the commission’s plans for the year, including the preparations for the annual Youth Day activities. Members of the archdiocese youth commission were also introduced. After the Mass, lunch was served, and thereafter the attendees engaged in several recreational activities including playing board games.