News Release
Chalakudy, Jun 19: Divine Youth is preparing to hold POWER 2012, the Seventh International Youth Conference and Couples Retreat from 22–27 July at the Divine Retreat Centre, Kerala. The theme of the Conference is “CHRIST IN YOU THE HOPE OF GLORY” (Col. 1:27). During this week there will be held simultaneously on campus, the retreat for children and Bible Nursery for the tiny tots.
This Conference being held for the sixth consecutive year has proved to be a wonderful opportunity for the youth to avail of a deep experience of the faith and the universal Church. Groups of youth from different parts of the world such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tanzania, Germany, USA, Canada, UK and the Gulf countries have already registered their participation.
Sessions include inspiring sharings from the Word of God and vibrant gospel music that appeals to the youth while leading them to build their life on sure foundation of life values. Internationally renowned Catholic bishops, priests, preachers and musicians will be here to minister on those days.
We are getting in the best of preachers and musicians – the Lord makes it possible because he really longs to touch the hearts of the youth. So we have Fr Augustine Vallooran leading the retreat, Fr Michael Payyappilly and the best of the Divine resources. The Papal Nuncio His Grace Salvatore Pennachio would be there to bless the youth.
A special preacher this year would be Bishop Julian Porteous from Sydney, very loved and doing much ministry for the youth.
The star of World Youth Day – the Rapping Friar – Fr Stan Fortuna, CFFR is coming as well. If you were here for POWER 2010/2011, you’d remember what a wonderful man of God he is! Fr Andre Patenaude (known generally as Father Pat), an amazing singer known as “Our Lady’s Troubadour” from the USA would also be there.
Other live-wire preachers we have from outside includes Jude Antoine from Malaysia, Fritz Mascarenhas (ICPE-Bangalore), COLIN CALMIANO (Spread Your Wings-Bangalore), and Lalit Pereira (Sri Lanka) who comes with the wonderful MUSIC MINISTRY OF THE RISEN LORD COMMUNITY. There are a few bands going to be leading the praise and worship – Divine’s singing couple Glen and Teresa with the MESSENGERS OF JESUS will be rocking for Jesus, the Divine Music Ministry, the all time favourite FAITH band from Goa and from Malaysia we have a very thriving gospel music band ‘EMPOWERED’. There will also be some wonderful testimonies, skits and other presentations from groups all over the world.
The Divine Youth has held 32 National Youth Retreats and 6 International Conferences. These retreats were moments of great anointing and conversion in the lives of the young. The youth who came for these programs went back as fruitful members of their parish communities, forming prayer groups and participating enthusiastically in parish groups, living vibrant lives of service and proclamation for the Lord. Fr Augustine Vallooran, the Director of the Divine Centre says, “We spare no effort in doing the best preparations for the youth. This is an effort that seeks to provide the God experience and challenge of holiness to lives that are at the threshold of moulding the course of the world.”
The first youth retreat was held in 1995. The interesting experience was the youth who came went back and brought their parents and friends. And that was how the Couples Retreat was first held. So every year during the youth retreat the Family Renewal Week is held with special retreats for every member of the family. The renewal of the youth is the renewal of families and of the Church.
For details interested people can be contact on:
DIVINE YOUTH
Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor P.O., Chalakudy 680316, Kerala India Aisa
Ph: +91-480-2708098/ +91 8129185775
Fax: +91-480-2708097 Email: divineyouth.drc@gmail.com
www:divineyouth.org www:drc.org