Eastern Deanery Celebrates Youth Day with Joy

 A Reflection by Sr Ursula Mashora, Youth and Young Adults Coordinator, Mount Nicholas Parish, Libode

On 16 June, the youth of the Eastern Deanery came together at St Joseph’s Parish, Ngqeleni, Diocese of Mthatha, in a spirit of joy, unity, and faith to celebrate Youth Day. The programme was thoughtfully organised by the Deanery to ensure that young people were not only entertained, but also spiritually formed, through the celebration of Mass, a faith-focused talk, and shared parish activities and team games.

Three Clear Intentions

As someone who works closely with young people, I believe the Deanery Youth Day Celebration was guided by three clear intentions:

• To strengthen unity among parishes by giving young people a common day of worship and fellowship.
• To nurture a youth ministry where young people are welcomed with their real questions and real circumstances, and where the doors of the Church are genuinely open to all.
• To empower young people to take an active role as agents of youth ministry, bringing their initiative, creativity, and leadership to support one another.

Procession and Mass

The day opened with a procession, accompanied by adult supporters, parish priests, and the Ursuline Sisters and Associates. This opening moment set a beautiful tone for the gathering, young people moving together in joy, and expressing a shared faith and identity. The procession also helped to build community bonds across parish lines, making the celebration feel united from the very beginning.

The Holy Mass was celebrated as the spiritual heart of the day, with a profound homily delivered by the Eastern Deanery Youth Chaplain, Father Minentle Mthembu. His homily focused on ways of helping young people participate fully and meaningfully in the life of the Church. Mass was not treated as a formality, but as the true centre of our Catholic identity, the place where we celebrate the Paschal Mystery together.

Talk: The Role of Youth in the Church, Culture, Family, and Business

A talk was delivered by Mr Vusumzi Yase to guide the youth toward a deeper understanding of what freedom truly means. It invited young people to know themselves better, to live fully in the present, and to look toward the future with courage and hope.

Activities from Each Parish

Following the talk, each parish took part in games and activities. This was an important and joyful section of the day, as it reflected the inclusive and communal spirit of the Church. Young people were given space to showcase their gifts and talents and to learn from one another. The priests, Religious Sisters, and adult supporters also participated fully and enthusiastically. Throughout, the programme was handled with care and respect, ensuring that the celebration made room for everyone and allowed all present to find God in it all.

The day concluded with a shared lunch, a calm and welcome moment for fellowship and conversation. Sharing a meal deepened the bonds among youth from different parishes and gave them space to continue encouraging one another. This simple social setting reflected one of the most important qualities of youth ministry: that it be patient, hopeful, tireless, and compassionate, a space where young people feel respected, genuinely included, and loved.

Throughout the day, young people led the programme themselves. This confirmed what we already believe: that young people are not merely recipients of events — they are capable and willing agents of youth ministry.

The gathering also demonstrated that the Church could create a truly welcoming space for youth of diverse backgrounds and spiritual levels, without narrowing participation to a select few.

Welcome Youth with Open Doors

The Eastern Deanery Youth Celebration of June 16, 2026, successfully brought our youth together in worship, formation, fellowship, and healthy recreation. By placing Mass at the centre, delivering a faith-centred message about true freedom in Christ, and allowing young people to contribute through parish activities and games, the day reflected a Church that welcomes youth with open doors and supports them in becoming active witnesses in their generation.

The Eastern Deanery Parishes within the Diocese of Mthatha are: St John the Baptist Parish, Mount Nicholas Parish, and St Patrick’s Mission, St Joseph’s Parish and St Michael’s Parish.