Special Leadership Training Program by Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Federation

Subsequent to the control of Covid – 19 outbreak first and second wave; Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Federation of the Archdiocese of Colombo organized a full day Special Leadership Training Program on 1st September 2020 at the Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Center, Udammita – Ja Ela. 122 youth representatives from 08 deaneries of the Archdiocese participated at this leadership-training workshop.

The theme of this special leadership program was, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

This youth program was conducted under the guidance of Rev Fr Malcolm Perera, National Director and the Archdiocesan Director of the Catholic Youth Apostolate. Mr. Udaya Cooray, Mr. Sudesh Mendis and Mr. Dushyanth De Alwis of the “Tharanaya” team conducted the program. This occasion was graced by the participation of Rev.Fr. Ranjith Edirisinghe, youth coordinator of Colombo South Region.

This one day leadership training was organized with different group activities. These activities helped the youth to develop their leadership skills and essential qualities of a team such as harmony, patience, obedience, understanding & active listening. In addition, to these activities facilitated the youths who participated representing various deaneries to identify and build a good rapport with each other.

Finally, future plans of catholic youth societies were discussed for lifting up to better spiritual lives. It was decided to have special leadership programs in different parishes.

The initiative program was organized for Suduwella Youth Society of Tudella Parish on Sunday, 27th September 2020 as a leadership training workshop. The day’s program was commenced by a musical meditation under theme of “Achieve Fulfillment” and different group activities were accompanied to enhance the leadership skills and qualities for team building such as patience, harmony, active listening & obedience among them. 52 youths attended for the program.

Suduwella Church Youth Society was established on this day and they were made aware of the importance of celebration of Sunday Mass, sharing the scripture, and being responsible and valuable citizen for the country and preservation of natural resources by keeping the religious teachings.

During the lockdown period, the entire country experienced the value of home gardening as a sustainable solution for any kind of a lockdown condition in order to fulfill the food requirements. In keeping with that valuable concept tree plantation program was conducted at the end of the day. Mango and jack plants were distributed among the youths of Suduwella Church to initiate this trend in their home gardens.