Young People Gather at Kristo Inkosi Parish Retreat

by Kati Dijane · October 14, 2025

One-day-retreat-Kristo-Inkosi-Catholic-Church-in-Springs

One-day retreat at Kristo Inkosi Catholic Church in Kwa-Thema, Springs

By Kati Dijane – More than 300 young people from various parishes across the Far East Rand Deanery filled Kristo Inkosi Catholic Church in Kwa-Thema, Springs, for a one-day spiritual retreat on Thursday, October 9. Themed “Created for a Purpose: Who Am I in Christ?”, the event invited young people between the ages of 10 and 17 to reflect deeply on their identity in God and their purpose as children of faith.

The retreat was organised under the leadership of the dean of the Far East Rand Deanery, Father Chaka Motanyane OP, with the aim of nurturing the spiritual hunger of young people, especially those not formally involved in parish groups such as the Children of Mary, altar servers, or Masolenyana a Kriste Morena. As the year draws to a close, Father Motanyane said it was important for the youth to be reminded of one simple truth — that God loves them and has created them for a purpose.

Faith, purpose, and identity

The retreat began shortly after 9 am with an interactive question-and-answer session with Father Kgaogelo Ntsie, the parish priest of Our Lady of Mercy in Soweto and the guest speaker for the day. Young people eagerly asked him about his journey to the priesthood and what it personally means to be a Catholic.

Guided by Psalm 139, Father Ntsie’s reflections led the participants into a heartfelt exploration of purpose. “If you want to know your purpose,” he said, “it’s not about your job, your house or your car. Those things are secondary. Your true purpose is to love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and to love your neighbour as yourself.”

He encouraged the young people not to compare themselves with others but to live in a way that reflects God’s love. “Do good. Be good. Be God’s likeness so that others can see God in you,” he said. “Even if you have little, even if you are struggling, remember that Jesus is enough.”

A message of hope and wholeness

Father Ntsie spoke openly about the struggles young people face today, from peer pressure to depression and the desire for acceptance. “Without God, you will fall into depression,” he warned. “We always want freedom, but freedom without God becomes darkness. We want to grow up fast, but adulthood also comes with its own challenges.”

He reminded the youth to value their innocence and to protect themselves from choices that can have lasting consequences. “There are things you will never recover from,” he cautioned, speaking against teenage pregnancy and the pressure to share inappropriate pictures online. “That man who asks for your naked picture does not come from a space of love. Respect the temple of the Holy Spirit — that is who you are.”

Throughout his talk, Father Ntsie invited the youth to repeat words of affirmation: “I am enough. Jesus is enough.” He explained that with God by one’s side, no challenge is insurmountable. “When trouble comes, say, ‘Lord, You are enough for me.’ That is how you overcome sadness and confusion — by knowing your purpose and staying close to God.”

Revived through song and prayer

As the morning progressed, the young people were invited to write down their Mass intentions, which were later presented before the altar. The church came alive with song and joyful praise, their youthful voices echoing messages of hope and gratitude. The retreat concluded with Holy Mass, concelebrated by Father Vicar Emaze, the newly appointed youth chaplain for the Far East Rand Deanery.

Living a purposeful life

In his homily, Father Ntsie continued his reflection on Psalm 139, reminding the youth that each of them is known and loved by God. “Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you,” he said. “He called you by name and gave you a purpose. You belong to God — from your baptism you were set apart.”

He urged the young people to allow God to guide their dreams and choices: “Allow God to shape you like clay in the potter’s hands. Let Him mould you into something beautiful. Do not live without God, because life without Him leads to confusion and sadness. Depression and suicide are born from forgetting who you are in Christ.”

Father Ntsie’s words were both gentle and firm. He reminded the youth that a true child of God lives prayerfully, humbly and joyfully. “A child of God prays in the morning, before eating and before sleeping,” he said. “Prayer is how we communicate with the Lord. When you pray, don’t just talk — listen. Let there be a moment of silence where you hear God speaking back to you.”

He also addressed the altar servers present, encouraging them to take their ministry seriously. “Come to church early and prepare yourselves. When you don’t prepare, you disturb the prayer of the Church. Serving at the altar is not just a task — it is a privilege.”

A church that believes in its young people

Before the retreat ended, Father Ntsie expressed his gratitude to Father Motanyane and everyone who helped make the event possible. “This is a beautiful gesture,” he said, “a reminder that young people are important to the Church. You are not only the Church of tomorrow — you are the Church of today.”

He encouraged the youth to carry what they had learned into their daily lives, to love God, to love others and to be living witnesses of faith. “You are the future of this Church,” he said. “One day, you will sit in the pews watching your children serve on the altar or attend a retreat just like this one. That is how faith continues — through you.”

In closing, he prayed for them: “May the Lord make you strong. May He give you courage. And may your heart always choose the things of God — to love Him with all your heart, mind and soul, and to love your neighbour as yourself.”

“I believe,” Father Ntsie said in his final words, “that God has started a new beginning with you. You are not just ama2000 — you are ama2000 of Christ. And through you, the Church will continue to grow.”