The Chaldean Youth Convention 2026 in Auckland NZ

The Chaldean Youth Convention 2026 in Auckland NZ

Msgr. Fr. Paul Mingana, the parish priest of St George Chaldean Catholic Parish in Melbourne, participated in the Chaldean Youth Day for Australia and New Zealand, held from Thursday to Sunday under the presence and leadership of Bishop Mar Amel Nona, Archbishop of Australia and New Zealand.

The program for Chaldean Youth Convention days was overseen by Fr. Douglas Al-Bazi, the parish priest of St Addai Parish in Auckland, who warmly welcomed the young people coming from Sydney and Melbourne.

From Melbourne, those in attendance included Fr. Saleem Goga from St George Parish, Fr. Maher Murad from Our Lady Guardian of Plants Parish, and Fr. Sand Basil from the St. Ephrem Chaldean Church. Also present was Fr. Fawaz Kako, who came from the United States.

The Chaldean Youth Convention officially commenced on the evening of Thursday, 22 January 2026, in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, with the participation of the Chaldean youth from our Diocese in Australia and New Zealand, arriving from the churches of Sydney and Melbourne, accompanied by the reverend priests.

The gathering opened with a welcoming speech inspired by Māori culture, beautifully expressing a spirit of respect and cultural encounter. This was followed by a welcoming address from His Grace Mar Amel Nona, in which he emphasized the importance of this gathering in strengthening communion, deepening our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and walking together on the journey of faith.

The gathering will continue for three days and will conclude with the Divine Liturgy on the coming Sunday.

We pray for our youth, asking the Lord to bless their steps and illuminate their paths, so that their journey may remain aflame with the spirit of joy and hope. We also pray for a successful and fruitful youth gathering through the grace of the Lord.

Friday 23/01/2026

First Mass for our Chaldean Youth during their annual convention, celebrated by His Grace Mar Amel Nona this morning, Friday 23rd January 2026 in Auckland NZ.

His Grace Mar Amel Nona Addresses Chaldean Youth at the Diocesan Annual Youth Convention

After the Mass, His Grace Mar Amel Nona, Archbishop of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, delivered a spiritual and inspiring talk to Chaldean youth gathered in Auckland as part of the Annual Chaldean Youth Convention.

The talk, titled “Consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord”, invited young people to reflect deeply on their Christian identity and their daily walk of faith. Drawing from the words of Saint Paul, His Grace encouraged the youth to embrace a life transformed by Christ, one that turns away from sin and lives fully in the grace, freedom, and hope found in the Lord. At the conclusion of the lecture, the youth were divided into small groups to discuss the topic, after which summaries of the discussions and the ideas shared by the young people were presented.

The gathering was marked by attentive participation and a strong sense of unity among the youth, who received His Grace’s message as both a challenge and an encouragement to live authentically as disciples of Christ in today’s world. The annual convention continues to serve as an important moment of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and formation for Chaldean youth within our Diocese.

Saturday, 24/01/2026

CYC second Mass celebrated by Fr. Fawaz from the USA. Mass was held this morning, Saturday, 24th January 2026, in Auckland.

Then Fr. Fawas gave a talk this morning, Saturday, the 24th of January 2026. After the talks, all the youth were broken into groups for discussion.

Sunday, 25/01/2026

Sunday Mass presided by His Grace Mar Amel Nona, concluding the CYC in Auckland.