The Holy Mass was led by the Vicar General of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese, msgr. Slađan Ćosić in concelebration with the parish priest of Čardak, rev. Pavo Kopić and four other priests.

In his homily, he spoke about the project that is being realized in Kornica. “The Iuvenes Fructus project is supported by three words - come, see, start! These words immediately arouse curiosity, especially among young people for whom the project is primarily intended. Therefore, I encourage young project participants not to lose sight of the word fructus ie fruit. This word says that with the knowledge you gain and with the help of the people you are involved with and whose call you responded, and above all with God’s help, in the not so distant time you will enjoy the fruit of your hands and you will be well (Ps 28: 2)”, stressed Msgr. Ćosić.

The Holy Mass celebration was enriched by singing and playing by the choir of frama from Tuzla.

A sign of hope

After the end of the Eucharist and after a short break, the second part followed: the opening of another cycle of the three-year project, the presentation of the results achieved during the previous year and the presentation of new candidates. This program was moderated by animator Gabrijela Tomić.

Those present were addressed by: Msgr. Ćosić, rev. Kopić, Dean of Dobor rev. Jakov Filipović, councilor from the ranks of the Croatian people in the Council of Peoples of Republika Srpska Davor Čordaš, member of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH from Odžak Mijo Matanović and head of the Municipal Department for Economy and Inspection Affairs of Šamac Predrag Nedić.

Also, words of greetings and encouragement were sent by the director of the Archdiocesan Centre for Youth Pastoral John Paul II. (NCM) in Sarajevo, rev. Šimo Maršić. “To me personally, it is such a refreshment to see you here in such numbers in support of a sign of hope in our region, which we from the Church, together with Petar Lušo, and on behalf of Renovabis - an organization of the Catholic Church from Germany and the Government of the Republic of Croatia that supports this, want to start for you youngsters. Also, it’s wonderful to see how many people want to get involved in all of this. Of course, moral support is also important to us, not only financial, but also what the parish priest said – support in prayer. Everyone, for their part, can do a little to raise this sign of hope a little higher and that we have something to look at in this difficult time”, said, among others, rev. Maršić.

Patience and faith!

In the continuation, the moderator introduced the participants to the work and activities of the Archdiocesan Centre for Youth and presented the main results of the first three-year cycle of education within the project. And because the cooperation with the company Zorg In d.o.o. is important for its realization, the director, Petar Lušo, also addressed the audience. “It is up to us to support it together as much as possible. And anything is possible when it is wanted. Faith is ‘under number one’. And I would also like to say that the word ‘business’ is constantly mentioned today - somehow it sounds European. However, all work in life starts from a small point, from the first step, if you go - you will come somewhere and nothing can be achieved overnight (…) So in all this, future students - go, this is the first step, and do not be afraid, have patience and faith in God! With those ten fingers you have, you can do a lot”, said the director of Zorg In d.o.o.

Afterwards, the director of the Secondary Vocational School in Orašje, Mirjam Filipović Dominković, and the winner of the start-up incentive, Antonija Mikolić, invited the young people to get involved in this and similar projects because they will surely be able to learn a lot and have a memory for a lifetime.

At the end, there was a photo shoot and a joint lunch in the premises of the old elementary school in Kornica.

Let us remind you that this year in the project Iuvenes Fructus, which is implemented by NCM in cooperation with the company Zorg In d. o. o., Secondary Vocational School in Orašje, Pero Zečević Secondary School from Odžak and from this year the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Government of Posavina County; 20 candidates from Orašje, Žepče, Odžak, Sarajevo, Rama and Uskoplje, are participating.