Message by Fr. Ivan - I believe in YOUTH

Dear young budding Friends

The Late John Paul II greeted the youth during a youth convention in Ireland, in 1979 in the following words,"I believe in youth. you are the hope, the reserve. When i look at you, I see the world of tommorrow, you will be the living force of your country. Looking at your faces, we see the future! In the light of your eyes, the year two thousand shines. It is an impressive and exalting sight".

Youth is the spring time of life. you have been blessed with tremendous potential, numerous talents and gifts to make a posotive difference in this beautiful world. You are at the threshold of making decisive choices for your life. Your choices will depend a great deal on your value system, your attitude towards life and relationships and your social commitment. You have to bear the burden of expectations from all sides and face up the challlenge of cutthroat competition and technlogical development.

What is the purpose of your life as youth? Is it fun and frolic alone? Surely not. you are called fro greater things in life. You have your duties and responsibilities to fulfill towards your family, the Church and the society. YOU(th) a bundle of life, love, energy, creativity, adventure, and generosity are created to fly high. So do not satisfied with just crawling along. Rise up. Strengthen your wings with a sense of God, commitment, responsibility and social involvement and you will transform yourself and the world.

So dear young people my humble wish for you is "be good and do good" May God bless you all.

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Don't Give Up

Don't give up..... One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said."In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I wouldnot quit." He said."Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

"He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots". "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you." "Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful." "Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high" "How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return."As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. Never, Never, Never Give up. For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

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