Young people from across the Diocese of Kroonstad spent a spiritually enriching weekend together during a diocesan youth retreat held from 10–12 July 2026, during which they were challenged to move beyond being spectators in the Church and become active missionaries of hope.
Hosted at St Albert the Great Catholic Church, the retreat opened with Holy Mass before unfolding into a weekend of prayer, formation and dialogue. It also marked one of the first major youth gatherings addressed by Bishop Amos Mabuti Masemola following his episcopal ordination in May this year.
The retreat brought together young people from across the diocese to deepen their faith while reflecting on their role in the life and mission of the Church. Throughout the weekend, participants were accompanied by the Diocese of Kroonstad’s youth co-chaplain, Father Gabriel Sefafe, while Father Mpho Cart, youth chaplain for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bloemfontein cluster, led formation sessions on Catholic youth ministry and leadership.
“The Church is not complete without you”
In a heartfelt address, Bishop Masemola immediately set the tone by assuring the young people that he wanted to walk alongside them as their shepherd. “I will still want to hear from you,” he said. “It’s one thing to outline my expectations, and it’s another thing to give myself time to listen to you, to hear what you need.” His message centred on the conviction that young people were an important part of the life of the Church. “The Church is not complete without you,” he told the youth. “We can never talk about the Church, let alone the future of the Church, without you, because what the Church is lies in you.”
The bishop encouraged the youth not to see themselves as passive observers but as active collaborators in Christ’s mission. “As I come into this diocese, I call upon you not to become spectators in the mission of Christ, but to be active participants. The Gospel needs your voice, your hands and your witness.” He reminded them that evangelisation is not confined to church buildings but extends into schools, universities, workplaces, homes and the digital world. “The world longs for young disciples who are not afraid to proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Wherever you are, Christ must be known.”
A personal encounter with Christ
Central to Bishop Masemola’s message was the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “You cannot give what you do not have,” he said. “Before you can make Christ known, you must encounter Him personally.”
He encouraged the youth to nurture this relationship through prayer, participation in the sacraments and acts of service. “I invite each of you to cultivate a living friendship with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments and service. Let Him be your companion in your struggles, your guide in your decisions and your strength in your dreams.”
The bishop stressed that the Eucharist remains at the heart of Christian life. “You cannot be a young person in the Catholic Church and become indifferent to the celebration of Mass. Young people must become lovers of the Eucharist.” He added that missing Mass should stir a longing within believers because it is there that they encounter Christ in a profound way.
Building a self-reliant Church
A recurring theme throughout the bishop’s address was his vision of building what he described as a “self-reliant Church”.
“The Church that I dream of is one that drinks from its own well,” he explained. “The time of waiting for others to come to our aid is gone. We have got to stand up and help ourselves.” He challenged young people to place their talents and gifts at the service of the Church. “Your creativity can shape the ministries of the Church. Your skills can strengthen community life. Your commitment can ensure that the Church stands firm in every generation.”
Rather than waiting for others to build parish communities, Bishop Masemola encouraged the youth to take ownership of their local churches. “Self-reliance means that we rise up, we take ownership, we take responsibility and let our faith shine.” He urged them to use their energy to organise outreach programmes, evangelise their friends and breathe new life into parish communities.
“A self-reliant Church is a Church where young people are on fire,” he added.
Walking together in a synodal Church
Reflecting on the call of Pope Leo XIV to continue building a synodal Church, Bishop Masemola emphasised the importance of unity and mutual listening. “A synodal Church is a Church that works together,” he said. “If we are divided, we are not going to achieve anything.” He reminded the youth that listening is essential to genuine communion. “We need to build a Church where speaking and listening go both ways. The Church is also called to listen to the voices of young people.”
The bishop expressed his desire to hear directly from the youth about their hopes for the Diocese of Kroonstad and reaffirmed that building the Church is not the responsibility of priests alone. “This responsibility should not be left to priests and leaders. It belongs to all of us.”
Using the analogy of football supporters watching from the sidelines, he challenged young people not to become critics who simply observe. “It is easy to sit at home and tell players what they should have done,” he said. “Let us not become those who only talk from the sidelines. Let us become involved in making things happen.” He urged them to respond now rather than postpone action. “The Church needs you today, not tomorrow.”
Faith that leads to action
Towards the conclusion of his address, Bishop Masemola challenged the youth to move beyond comfort and embrace action. “Faith without action is dead,” he reminded them. He described comfort as something that can limit vision and delay growth, while disturbance often becomes the catalyst for meaningful change. “You cannot simply wish for things to happen without being involved in making them happen.” Calling for committed discipleship, he encouraged the youth to become people of action rather than merely offering “lip service”. “You are not here to sit back and watch others build the Kingdom of God,” he stated.
Understanding Catholic youth ministry
Another important session on the second day of the retreat was facilitated by Father Mpho Cart, who unpacked the South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s Youth and Young Adults Ministry Manual. He explained that youth ministry is an age-specific ministry designed to accompany and engage young people within the Church and local communities. Under the SACBC guidelines, youth ministry serves those between the ages of 13 and 35, divided into teenagers (13–17), youth (18–25) and young adults (26–35). Father Cart reminded participants that youth ministry serves as the umbrella under which all youth groups operate within the Church, promoting spiritual formation and participation in parish life. He also encouraged discernment before joining various sodalities and associations. “There is no need to skip the phase of being a youth,” he said, reminding participants that belonging to a sodality carries responsibility.
“When you join a sodality, remember that you become the identity of the Church. You are its ambassador, and people will judge the Church by how you represent it beyond the parish walls.”
He also encouraged young people to be mindful of the financial commitments involved in belonging to multiple organisations, particularly when they still depend on their families.
The day drew to a close with young people taking part in a singing competition and creating awareness of gender-based violence.
The retreat concluded with Holy Mass on Sunday at St Albert the Great, where the youth joined with the faithful of the parish and were inspired by Bishop Masemola’s invitation to become courageous disciples who are ready to build vibrant parish communities, strengthen the Diocese of Kroonstad and become visible signs of Christ wherever they are called to serve.
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