The activities of the Syriac Catholic Youth Festival organized by the Qala Djwanqi-Voice of the Youth forum continue at the Church of the Resurrection in Melbourne Australia under the slogan At Your Word I Will Cast the Net amidst a large youth attendance.

Ryan Olo, the head of the youth cultural forum in Melbourne, "Qala Djwanqi," said through "Asia Mina" that the forum has been active, despite its recent establishment, in organizing events, workshops, and lectures aimed at raising the youth's awareness intellectually, religiously, and culturally, encouraging them to be active in the church, to preserve their parents' and grandparents' faith, language, heritage, and culture, and to remain connected to their deep roots in the homeland.
Olu pointed out that the organizing committee chose Father Rony Salem, Secretary of the Archdiocese of Mosul for the Syriac Catholics, to be the first speaker at the festival, "seeing in him the image of the young, active priest dedicated to his service and close to the youth both in age and thought. We have closely observed the audience's interaction with his fascinating lecture.

In this regard, Salem expressed his happiness in responding to the special invitation extended to him by the youth of "Qala Djwanqi" within the Mission of the Holy Spirit for the Syriac Catholics in Melbourne. He added, "I am pleased to accompany our Syrian youth at their first festival.

He continued: "I delivered my lecture titled 'Tireless Hope' on the first day of the events, inspired by the words of Pope Francis." In it, I addressed two main themes, one biblical and the other moral, urging the youth to get to know God and enter into a serious relationship with Him, through which they can form serious relationships with one another and establish their families on the rock of Christ.

The first day's events witnessed the opening of an art exhibition on the sidelines of the festival, showcasing the creative and artistic works of the mission's members. "The forum is keen on giving its creative youth the opportunity to contribute to all the events." "The church without youth is dead," according to Alou.

It is worth mentioning that the festival activities conclude today, November 5th, and also include a lecture by Bishop Basilios Georges, Father Moussa, the Apostolic Visitor for the Syriac Catholics in Australia and New Zealand, titled "The Act of the Journey," in addition to a theatrical performance about biblical characters.

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