Mandalay(Myanmar)- According to five year action plans of Mandalay Youth Commission, The 4^th Youth Fest of Mandalay Archdiocese was held at St.Thomas Intermediate Seminary, Mandalay during Thingyan ( water festival of Myanmar ).

Motto of this youth fest is “Keep Hope Alive! Come Alive! Come and Shine! (Mt 5:13-16)”

About 320 youths from different parishes of Mandalay Archdiocese attended in active participation.

The main resource persons are Fr.Bosco Bo Bo and Fr.Alphonse Aung Naing Shwe from Salesian Congregation. Other resource persons are Fr.Francis Dass (SDB), Fr.Camillus Gin Go Suan (SDB), Sr.Elisabeth (Salesian sister), Sr.Genevieve (Good Shepherd), Dr.Khin Mg Pyone and Fr.Louis Soe Lwin (Youth Spiritual Director).

Fr.Bosco Bo Bo             “Leadership”

Fr.Francis Dass              Mind Control Method

Fr.Alphonse                   Personlaity Development

Fr.Camillus                     Bible

Sr.Genevieve                  Pro-Life

Sr.Elisabeth                   Value

Dr.Khin Mg Pyone and Dr.Thiha- Health

At the opening ceremony, Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng, two parish priests from Mandalay, youth spiritual director and youth coordinators attended.

Archbishop encouraged the youths “To involve in this youth gathering with active participation.”

Noveline Htay Htay Khaing 23, Ywadaw parish, told UCANews “Before, I had no vision and I didn’t think about my hobby. I didn’t concentrate on work and I didn’t think how my life goes in the future. Now I have known that we must have vision. I have decided to do firm work. When I go back home, I am going to draw personal plan. About “Star Team and (7) Habits touch me in my heart. As lecturers explain about, I have known that I can get if I try with my talent.”

Naw Sentiyar Chit 15, St.Francis Xavier parish, told UCANews “I am the first time in attending youth gathering. I am very happy and I have got many friends. This youth fest is useful for my life and I have known that we must try. If we evaluate ourselves, we will improve my life. We will use heart level. I will try more.”

            Mg Thet Shwe Oo 20, Hotel Staff, told UCANews “As Fr.Bo Bo’s lecturers are good, I attend. I haven’t attended this kind of youth gathering as diocesan level. Before, I didn’t think about and I have decided to shift another work if present work is not good. Now I am going not to change my present work and I will try to improve my life. I intend to attend the trainings with hotel.”

Cecilia Ciin San Lek 18, second year, St.John parish told UCANews “I am very happy that I attend the first time. As my friends call me, I attend. I like priests very much who can attract youths to concentrate without lazy. I like all lecturers but leadership most. Because, I am going to do company manager after graduated. I have known that how to do become a good leader. I have learned many things for life improvement. As this youth fest is efficient, I have decided to attend next year. I am going to share my experience to my friends and I will call them to attend this kind of youth gathering.” 

During the gathering, at night program, youths participated in dancing action songs, competition of Myanmar traditional dances and competition of plays by different nine groups.

During the Holy week, participants took part in the liturgical celebration at Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

The last day of the gathering, the election program was done for the term 2006-08 by Mandalay diocesan youth commission.Youth spiritual director, youth coordinators, core group members from Mandalay and two representatives from parishes attended in the meeting. 12 new E.C members for 2006-08 term was successfully selected.

That night, the closing ceremony is done by singing and dancing of nine groups. [See Photos]