West Rand Youth Deanery Hosts Lenten Retreat
West Rand Youth Deanery Lent Retreat
By Kati Dijane – As South Africa celebrated Human Rights Day on March 21, over 200 young souls gathered in the West Rand Deanery in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, for a one-day retreat at Our Lady of Peace in Krugersdorp.
The day began with a quiet moment of reflection as everyone settled into the church for a prayerful start: the rosary. Afterwards, the youth ventured out to the streets near the church to pray the Stations of the Cross. The walk was powerful, drawing the attention of neighbours and passersby.
Leading the spiritual charge were Father Zipho Ngwenya, Father Tshepo Lekoko, and Father James Thaki. Father Abel Maluleka, the vicar for the youth in the Archdiocese, and Father Sibahle Mthembu, the parish priest, concelebrated the Mass.
Father Tshepo Lekoko set the tone early on with his insightful reflection on the retreat’s theme: Psalm 51:10, which says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” He began by telling the story of King David, the psalmist who poured his heart out in repentance for his sins. David’s raw vulnerability in his cries for forgiveness served as a powerful theme of Father Lekoko’s reflection.
He also made the message personal, sharing a moving moment of his own life. He spoke about the tragic loss of their father, a brutal murder that left him and his twin brother, Father Tshepiso Lekoko, to navigate the pain of being raised by a single mother. This experience, he said, became a turning point in their lives, forcing them to grapple with the power of forgiveness.
The retreat continued with a Benediction led by Father James Thaki, before concluding with the celebration of Mass. In his homily, Father Zipho Ngwenya drew attention to the readings of the day, especially the first reading from the book of Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-18, where Joseph is sold by his brothers. It’s a story of jealousy, betrayal and deep hurt. But it’s also a story of redemption, as he puts it. Father Zipho connected this to the Gospel of Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46, where Jesus speaks of the tenants who kill the householder’s son out of greed. He added that these biblical events were a reminder of how unchecked emotions like jealousy, anger and deceit can blind us to the love and goodness around us.
Father Zipho challenged the youth to reflect on their own lives. “Sometimes,” he said, “we allow our wrongdoings to define us. But sin doesn’t always mean physical harm—it can also be spiritual. It’s a moral test.”
Drawing inspiration from Joseph’s dreams, Father Zipho asked, “Do you dream? And do you dream of God?” The idea of being a dreamer, like Joseph, was something the priest said the youth could connect with on a personal level. He concluded the homily by encouraging the youth to stay humble, practise good manners and remain steadfast in their faith journey.
After the event, most young people shared how happy they were to spend the day with their peers and priests who uplifted them spiritually.
