2011 CBCP Year of the Youth

CBCP Year of the Youth

The Catholic Bishops’ conference of the Philippines (CBCP) formally launched the start of the “ CBCP Year of the Youth ” last December 16,2010. It will conclude on the same date this year with the theme, “ Stand firm in faith…Do all your work in love” (1 Cor 16:13:14).
Ushering the new year as CBCP Year of the Youth is a double celebration for the Philippine church since it goes along with the 25th Founding Anniversary of the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) in July 2011.
Bishop Joel Baylon, CBCP-ECY Chairman quoted, “ Let us work together to intensify awareness about the youth and their importance to the life and activity of the church. By our witness, let us help the young in our midst- in our homes, schools, communities, etc.- to find God in their lives and generously answer His call to service and love”. He further added, “Let us pray that there may be wider participation and greater dedication in youth ministry, leading to a meaningful and fruitful service that is undertaken with the fullest attention and highest priority in every way by all in the church”.
After the observance of the National Youth Day 2010 in the diocesan level, the year long-nation wide Pilgrimage of the National Youth Day Cross followed.
The CBCP Workshop on Youth Ministry was done last January 2011 during the Plenary Council while youth ministers had their retreats with ECY Bishops last February.
On April 2011, a National Youth Coordinating Council Meeting will be held with the Recognition of Outstanding Persons in the Youth Ministry.
By August 2011, the 26th World Youth Day will be held in Madrid, Spain after which the ECY will spearhead the National Youth Day celebration.
A Book on the Youth Ministry with success stories will be launched in November before the CBCP Year of the Youth will conclude in December 2011.
Finally, the youth ministry awareness campaign for the CBCP Year of the Youth will extend until 2012 with Congress of Youth Directors in January 2012 and National Conference for Youth Ministers in October 2012.