OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Diocesan Youth Day, in the spirit of WYD, in the example of Saint Paul

Honiara (Agenzia Fides) – The Solomon Islands recently celebrated a Diocesan Youth Day, with the theme given by Pope Benedict XVI: “We have set our hope on the living God” (1 Tim 4:10). The event was an occasion for prayer and for sharing experiences and the joy of being young Christians.
The day was an opportunity to recall the graces of WYD in 2008, in Sydney, which a group of young people from the Solomon Islands attended. They have since continued their human and spiritual formation on the islands with a Youth Ministry program that includes catechesis, retreats, mass media training, and experiences with charitable services and care for the needy.
The Day, which was attended by youth from the parishes of Honiara, was filled with references to Saint Paul. In the Year of St. Paul, the local Church has wished to present the youth with the example of Saint Paul and his virtues of “a man with a deep love for Jesus Christ,” “zealous missionary,” “a courageous and humble person.”
The youth were invited to follow St. Paul's example in their faith life. As the Message of Pope Benedict XVI says, Paul was a “witness to hope,” which is a fundamental component in the life of every Christian, especially the youth who should spend all the years God gives them in building the Kingdom of God. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/6/2009)