The gathering of 322 youth delegates from 17 parishes of the Diocese of Alotau-Sideia became a powerful witness that drew the attention of people in town to what was happening during these days of the Youth Convention. It was very much supported by several individual persons, families, religious missionaries and priests.
The Diocesan Youth Convention Program was
received by our youth delegates with interest and joy. It catered to their
formation and developmental needs as they expressed, later on, with gratitude
how much they have learned and benefited from it.
Indeed, it was an experience of faith that stirred the COURAGE within each person who heeded the call to Come to Jesus through Mary. This is a blessed moment for all of them. The time has come for all the youth to stand together to proclaim their faith in Christ with rejoicing and thanksgiving.
On the 3rd
day of December, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., the convention commenced with a Marian
March where the parish youth groups continuously sang lively hymns as they walked
through the main roads and places where many people usually flock and gather
announcing to them the theme of the Convention: COURAGE! COME TO JESUS THROUGH
MARY.
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| Sr. Yolanda Pugal(Diocesan Youth Coordinator) leading the Marian March |
Coming back to the
convention arena, the youth joyfully danced: WE ARE THE CHURCH! This led to the symbolic ritual of the mixing of
soil and of water in two separate clay pots, which were brought by the parish
youth delegates. This made present in the Convention all the young people in
all Catholic Christian Communities in the Diocese. Bishop Rolando blessed the mixed soil and
mixed water and after which declared the 2014 DIOCESAN YOUTH CONVENTION OPEN.
In his homily, the
Bishop gave his fatherly welcome to all the youth delegates and expressed his
admiration for their great sacrifices of traversing the rough sea and walking a
long tedious walk just to be present for the convention. He ended with some
words of encouragement and bidding them to enjoy in the convention.
The theme of the
WELOME concert held in the night was “THOUGH WE HAVE DIFFEENT GIFTS, WE ARE ONE
IN CHRIST”. The youth delegates have displayed their talents with confidence
and joy; making each other feel that all are brothers and sisters in Christ who
called us to come together and celebrate life and love!
Each day of the
Diocesan Youth Convention (December 4-7) began with the daily meditation at the
Cathedral led and facilitated by Sr. Emma Lapun, OLSH, Fr. Angel Sanchez,
Salesian Priest of Don Bosco-Gabutu, Bro. Liam Ryan of the Neocathecumenal Way
and Maria Tokala, based on the theme of the day.
Each day (Dec. 4-7)
a particular speaker would talk on a particular topic (8:15 a.m.- 12:00 noon). Topics given were: History of
the Catholic Church by Fr. Angel, SDB; Sacraments of the Eucharist and of
Reconciliation by Fr. Angel, SDB; Theology of the Body by Bro. Liam Ryan and
the sharing of Magdalene Kumahina Noau; Catechesis on Mary by Bishop Rolando; Call
of the New Evangelization: Live Pure! by Arsenio “Armat” Mata.
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| Fr. Angel, SDB-Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation |
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| Sr. Monica(teaching basic stitches) |
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| Sr. Concep (cooking of recipes) |
There were also special moments of encounter with God
namely:
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PRAISE AND WORSHIP BONFIRE on December
4. A bonfire was set in the field, symbolizing the presence of Jesus as the
Light of the world, while all the youth gather around it singing and dancing,
lifting up their voices to praise and worship God.
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EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AND CONFESSION
on 5th of December. The night was spent with continuous hymns of
praise as the Sacred Host was enthroned in the altar and the continuous line of
youth going for confession.
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS on 6th of December.
The long journey did not weaken the youthful spirit of the delegates and they
always have the strength to sing praises and say the rosary while processing
along the way and many people joined them. The conclusion was at the Cathedral
where Bishop Rolando gave his final words and blessing for all those who made
the Stations of the Cross together with Jesus and Mary.
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The DAILY CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
from the 4th to the 7th of December, presided by different parish priests and
prepared by the youth, was the youth’s most important moment of encounter with
Jesus during the day.
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Dawn Rosary on the 8th of December on
the Solemn Feast of the Immaculate Conception. To start the day, the youth gathered for
a simple dawn Rosary procession in town expressing their heartfelt honor to
Mary during her solemn feast. Our Lady was also crowned with fresh flowers by
Sr. Emma, OLSH at the grotto near the Cathedral.
The Solemn Feast of
the Immaculate Conception marked the Closing Festival of the Diocesan Youth
Convention, which started at 5:30 pm. There were musical concert and speeches
from the different guests coming from the church and government sectors. The
speeches delivered to conclude the Convention were of gratitude and
encouragement to carry on the work well done. Pointing back to tonight’s theme,
“Do whatever he tells you’ as Mary says is resounding in the youth’s hearts.
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| Bishop Rolly Santos with the visitors from government sector |
The closing Mass
was presided by his Lordship Bp. Rolando Santos together with other
concelebrant priests. His Lordship expressed his deepest gratitude and
congratulations to all the youth delegates who have made this Diocesan Youth
Convention 2014 enjoyable, fruitful, youthful and alive. He commissioned the
youth delegates to live the Gospel with joy, bidding them to share all the good
things and learning they have acquired during this convention to all the youth
in their respective parishes.
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| Bishop Rolando Santos commissioning the youth delegates to GO AND LIVE THE GOSPEL WITH JOY |
SR. YOLANDA PUGAL,
SSJ
DIOCESAN YOUTH COORDINATOR
Dear Sisters,
ResponderEliminarCongratulations! Evidently the Lord looked with favor on this very significant event for the youth that He showered His amazing grace for the success of the convention. It was indeed a blessed and sacred moment for all the participants and we are so happy and grateful for sharing this grace-filled event with your sisters here in Iloilo. Damo gid nga salamat !
We had already expressed our deepest congratulations to all of you, our dearest sisters, through texts and emails, but we still want to let you know how we greatly appreciate and are really amazed of your love, efforts and dedication to the mission entrusted to you, that of ministering to the youth of the Diocese of Alotau-Sideia. This last activity you had with them was really AMAZING! THANK YOU SO MUCH! WE ARE TRULY PROUD OF YOU!
ResponderEliminar