About 130 youths and youth leaders involved in various Church youth groups in Malta and Gozo recently attended a seminar entitled ‘Boost’ organised by the Malta Catholic Youth Network at Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Bighi.

The aim of the full-day seminar was for the youths to discuss topical issues and to share their experiences of how they pass on faith to other youths as lay missionaries of the Good News. It was also attended by youths from Italy, the UK, Ukraine, and African and South American countries who live in Malta.

The event was led by Fr Fabio Attard, a Salesian involved in pastoral work with youths worldwide. He spoke about how important it was that youths who experience their faith to share their joy with others and create a ‘culture of encounter’ with those who are far from the Church. He urged youths not to be afraid of challenges and to keep moving ahead because, as Pope Francis says, “youths are the present of the Church, not the future”.

During the seminar, Fr Giovann Tabone, a young priest from the MSSP, led a workshop on how Christians could evangelise through their talents.

‘Boost’ served as a follow-up to the Bishops’ Synod on Youths, Faith and Vocational Discernment held last October at the Vatican. During the synod, which was hosted by the Pope and attended by 300 bishops from around the world, many youths, including from Malta, had discussed their expectations, wishes and fears in today’s world and their role in the Church.