- 21 February, 2025
Kolkata, February 20, 2025: The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary organised an international seminar on the theme “Walking with the Youth in the World of Media, Internet, and AI—An Ecclesiological Insight.”
The event, held at Divya Darshan Retreat Center, Kolkata, from February 18 to 21, brought together 35 Sisters, Fathers, and Brothers to explore the challenges and opportunities of youth ministry in today’s digital age.
The seminar aimed to equip members of the Sacred Hearts with the skills and understanding needed to accompany young people in an era shaped by media, technology, and artificial intelligence.
Shirley Coutinho, a council member of the CCBI Youth Commission, Sacred Hearts Sister Aurora Laguarda, and Jesuit Father Maria Joseph Israel served as key resource persons.
Shirley Coutinho, a seasoned speaker at national youth conferences, delivered an insightful presentation, immersing participants in the world of young people—their lifestyles, language, challenges, hopes, dreams, and expectations from priests, religious figures, and the Church. “You cannot ask the youth for what you are not, nor expect from them what you cannot give,” she emphasized. She also highlighted that young people often find priests and religious figures lacking transparency in their interactions. “We need to be open and truthful,” she urged, encouraging participants to adopt Jesus’ approach—being available, listening, and accepting young people as they are.
Sister Aurora Laguarda introduced a six-step spiral process for working with youth, starting from Jesus of Nazareth to the Crucified and Resurrected Christ. Participants found her framework highly applicable for guiding Christian youth and forming future priests and religious.
Jesuit Father Maria Joseph Israel, a professor of Computer Science at Xavier University, Kolkata, provided insights on artificial intelligence, its benefits and risks, and its ethical use from the Church’s perspective. It was noted that many participants, though young, were unfamiliar with AI tools. “We can no longer avoid modern technology, but we must use it responsibly and remain humane, as Pope Francis reminds us,” he said.
Participants included Sisters and Brothers from India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, French Polynesia, the USA (Hawaii), and Italy. Delegates shared insights on the realities, challenges, and opportunities faced by youth in their respective countries.
As part of the cultural immersion, participants visited Don Bosco Training Centre, celebrated Mass at the tomb of Saint Mother Teresa, and explored significant sites such as Belur Math (the center of Ramakrishna Mission and Swami Vivekananda’s legacy) and the Shrine of Our Lady of Bandel.
The seminar resolved to:
* Establish a dedicated Youth Commission to as task force of the congregation.
* Organise a common youth program every three years at the Conference of Asia Pacific and USA Zone level.
* Prioritise youth ministry across all provinces.
Among the notable leaders present were:
Father Alberto Toutin, General Superior of the Sacred Hearts Brothers; Father Jean Blaise, Vicar General; Father Lane Akiona, the provincial of the USA; Father Michiaki Chiara, Provincial of Japan; and Father Pankrasius Olak, Provincial of Indonesia. Sister Irene Barboza, Superior Delegate of the Pacific (USA) Asia Zone, Father Ajith Anthony, Regional Superior of Brothers in India; and Sister Romeka Situmorang, Territorial Coordinator of the Sisters in Asia
The seminar will conclude on February 21 with a Golden Jubilee Celebration marking 50 years of the Sacred Hearts Brothers’ presence in India at the Sacred Hearts Formation Center, Dangandingla.
The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary is an international religious order with priests, sisters, brothers, and lay associates serving in 32 countries worldwide.
By Sujata Jena
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