All ready for MCYPA

Jun 15, 2024

KINARUT, Sabah: The Malaysian Catholic Youth Ministers Committee (MCYMC) retreat cum meeting held recently was vital in preparing for the Malaysian Catholic Young People Assembly (MCYPA) in 2025.

This gathering, hosted at the Chapel of St Paul on-the-Hill in Kinarut, Sabah, brought together 28 young representatives from nine dioceses in Malaysia. The purpose was to discuss the programme and roles for the MCYPA, an initiative aimed at involving all Catholic youth in Malaysia leading up to the 2025 Pastoral Convention Malaysia (MPC).

The MCYMC, led by Gregory Pravin Rajah (Peninsular), Sr Terecia Loukang (Sabah), and Maria Amella (Sarawak), focused on expanding involvement beyond campus ministry to include working youth, those working with youth, and those who provide support in the parish. This shift was deemed essential for a more inclusive approach to youth ministry.

The retreat component of the meeting, facilitated by Fr Clarence Devadass and Anna Amandus, introduced participants to the synodal discussion approach used in the Vatican's Synod of Bishops. This approach emphasised spiritual conversation, fostering deeper introspection and understanding of one’s personality and spirituality.

Gregory highlighted the significance of realising one’s value and journey through spiritual conversation, emphasising the belief that everyone is somebody in God’s eyes. The MCYPA programme will employ this spiritual conversation approach, focusing on the themes of Church, Family, Ecology, and Society, aligning with the MPC’s objectives.

Sr Terecia, from the Kota Kinabalu Youth Commission, emphasised the importance of listening and spiritual conversation as foundational aspects of the MCYPA programme, echoing the Holy Father's endorsement of this approach for the Church’s renewal.

Maria Amella, a member of the Kuching Youth Commission, shared her experiences of understanding the Church’s challenges better through group sharing sessions, facilitated by the spiritual conversation process.

The MCYPA, scheduled for March 31 to April 5, 2025, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu, aims to unite clergy, religious, and laity under the theme The Catholic Church in Malaysia coming together as Clergy, Religious and Laity to Celebrate, Listen and Walk in the Light of the Lord.

This event will feature five co-hosting parishes: St Michael, Penampang, Holy Trinity, Terawi, St Catherine, Inaman, a combination of Stella Maris, Tanjung Aru and St Thomas, Kepayan and a combination of the Church of Mary Immaculate, Kota Kinabalu and St Paul, Dontozidon) to carry out the programme and division of adoptive families.

MCYMC members have visited all selected venues to ensure preparedness for the programme. This comprehensive approach reflects a commitment to youth involvement, spiritual growth, and unity within the Catholic community in Malaysia.