DADITAMA YOUTH MINISTERS RETREAT HELD IN DAVAO CITY

By: Marjorie Joy Olea
DAYCA Davao

“You young men and women are the hope of our church.”

A simple yet meaningful line from the retreat master, Most Rev. Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD,DD from Bangued, Abra during the Regional Retreat for youth ministers of DADITAMA Region last July 15-17,2011 at Benedictine Retreat House Ulas, Davao City.
The said retreat was organized by the MSPC-YS Staff together with the Youth Directors Rev.Fr. Leif Simbajon of Davao, Rev.Fr.Rex Tapales of Digos, and Rev. Fr.Levi Mantica of Tagum. The objectives of the regional retreat were the following: for the youth ministers to engage in dialogue, and embark on a spiritual journey together; to deepen their relationship in the faith and in the ministry; and to intensify their commitment in serving the youth in their respective contexts. The retreat was divided into three sessions:

*”Be on guard…Be vigilant” –reflected on the awareness of personality as a youth minister and the reality in the ministry.
*”Stand firm in your faith” – shares about the status of the faith of the young, and what really sustains in the ministry.
*”Do all your work in love” – finding of oneself now. How the youth ministers express or manifest their love for God in the youth ministry with the theme: “PAGLINGON, PAGDIRIWANG,PAGTANAW.”

The youth ministers with their respective directors shared reflections in an honest-to-goodness way on what was happening with their respective ministries, dioceses, parishes, schools, and organizations and how do they felt about it. They responded that they encountered related situations like being inactive of the members, more time for civic and no-time for religious activities, lack of support from the leaders, and priests, conflicts within the apostolate, and some critical issues among others.

Bishop Jaucian also declared that in the CBCP Pastoral Letter “Bishops have optional preference for the youth…”stating their support for the young. He also explained that our unity with one another is our strength, each and every member of the youth, be it small or has a big role is important. Love is a vocation through our service in the youth, and only prayer and faith can heal all wounds of conflicts and hardships that are at hand in the ministry. As Bp.Pol also shared a part of his childhood, and priesthood, and being tagged as one of the ”Pajero Bishops”, he emphasized that amidst of the storms in life, it is God who lifts us up showing His great love for us.

On the concluding day, the youth ministers were requested to make a list of activities as to what immediate steps, long-term plans, and resolutions that can be possibly done after the retreat. The plan was designed into a Bangka (boat) from the concept of the MSPC-YC Programs. Below is the Bangka components with the corresponding programs:

Bosay- General Orientation
Layag-Peace
Katig-Bible/Gospel
Pukot- Net of Spirituality
Bugsay-Leadership
Banyera-GKK
Balod-Social Issues

The youth ministers were given a copy of pastoral recommendations from the Bishops Workshop last January 2011. The components were in the form of evangelization, catechesis, fellowship, social actions, leadership and worship for a more collaborative and comprehensive youth ministry.

For the final assert, Bp. Pol left an encouraging quote during his homily…”Be like a lighthouse, shine on! Continue to inspire others for we are all agents of unity and community.”
We are all shaped to serve God. May we use our God-given talents in the ministry for His greater glory, so that we may revive the young people of our generation, and lead them back to the House of the Lord.