Born to Mr. Lawrence and Mary Machado as the 4th child on 8th December 1975 in Shirva, Udupi, Karnataka State. Baptized in Our Lady of Health Church on 15th March 1976. I have two elder brothers and an elder sister (she passed away in 1995). I did my initial schooling in Don Bosco School, Shirva and completed my graduation in St. Mary’s School Shirva.

The Youth is not just the future; they are the present and also God’s gift to the Church and society today.
I am convinced that what today’s youth need most is recognition and guidance. They need mentors who are willing to walk them through life without being domineering or browbeating them. And, more importantly, they need the gospel of Jesus the Lord.
In the gospel we read how Jesus trained his young team. He was very patient. They did not understand or grasp his teachings but Jesus never gave up on them. He mentored, guided and taught them without judging them.
Unfortunately, most times young people are never understood by the authorities or superiors. Teachers, seniors, and, even parents are often not patient with them. We think that they are arrogant, lazy, rebellious, etc. Their dreamsand aspirations are doubted or criticized. Most times, they are not allowed the freedom to grow and live their youth fully.
The Church needs young people and the young people need the Church. Young people are assets; they can contribute immensely to the Church and society. Youth is power and if used appropriately they can create wonders. From my experience of ten years as mentor and before that as a youth leader, I have learnt a lot and have seen young people contributing towards the growth of the Church.
I love youth ministry, I really do. Youth ministry is meaningful as long as we refrain from separating it from church affairs, decision making, etc. Most times we separate them for our own selfish objectives and, when they question or suggest change, we resist or stubbornly stop them. The Youth need to actively take part in the life of the Church. They are part of the body of Christ too, and no part of the body can remain healthy if one of its members is cut off and set to the side. If we isolate them, not only do we lose all that we can learn from them, but we also inadvertently communicate to them that the church is only for the clergy and adults—retired people or the old. And then, we have no moral right to complain that the young do not attend Sunday service and catechism classes, or participate in other activities because we have made it a clergy and adult dominated church where the young have no place. We tell them ‘your time has not yet come’.
In this year of the Synod, I pray that we understand young people better and involve them fully in Church activities and decision making.The Church belongs to them and they are the present and the future.