Vasai Youth Urged to Take Responsibility for Rebuilding the Church

Umrale, October 1, 2026: A youth rally in the Diocese of Vasai challenged 175 young Catholics from nine parishes to move beyond expectations of what the Church should do and identify what they themselves can contribute to its life and mission.

The challenge was at the centre of the Nirmal Deanery Youth Rally held at St Joseph Church, Umrale, under the theme “Rebuilding the Church with Joy: Embracing the Spirituality of St Francis.” The gathering was organised as part of the celebrations marking 800 years of the Franciscan tradition.

The rally invited participants to translate the call to “rebuild the Church” into concrete personal commitments, with discussions focusing on how young people can contribute through their time, talents, relationships, ideas and acts of service.

Fr Nitin D'Souza OFM, parish priest of St Joseph Church, Umrale, delivered the keynote address, presenting St Francis as an “IRL” — “In Real Life” — example of joyful Gospel living. He encouraged the youth to consider how Franciscan spirituality could influence their everyday choices and relationships in their families, colleges and workplaces, as well as their participation in the Church.

Fr Jonny Nigrel, Dean of Nirmal Deanery, also addressed the participants. A special song composed by Fr Nitin D'Souza formed part of the programme.

The participants were divided into eight groups to examine what makes young people feel that the Church is their home and what can make them feel like outsiders. One of the central questions asked them to replace “The Church should…” with “I should…”, shifting the discussion towards personal responsibility.

The groups also considered whether Christian faith should be visible beyond the church building and what each young person could offer that others could not provide in quite the same way.

The reflection culminated in “The Church I Will Build — A Wall of Commitment.” Each participant was asked to respond to the question: “If Jesus said to you, ‘Go, rebuild My Church’ — what is ONE thing you would do?” They then identified and recorded one concrete commitment.

The rally combined discussions and reflection with prayer, music and fellowship. Fr Xavier and Fr Ashley supported the event, while the youth of St Joseph Church assisted with its organisation.

The programme concluded with Eucharistic Adoration, followed by dinner and fellowship.

For the organisers, the rally provided a practical expression of the Franciscan call to rebuild the Church by placing responsibility for that mission directly before the young people themselves.

By Catholic Connect Reporter