Be prepared to be soldiers of God

Aug 05, 2016

JOHOR BAHRU: Sixty confirmands attended the Johor Confirmation Camp in Majodi Centre June 8-11. For the first time, confirmands from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St Joseph’s Church Plentong, St Theresa’s Church, Holy Family Church, Church of Christ the King and St Philip’s Church gathered together for this camp that prepared them to be soldiers of God. The camp, entitled Armour of God took inspiration from Ephesians 6:10-17.

Throughout the camp, the confirmands learned about the six pieces of the Armour of God and how important they were in our lives. For the Shield of Faith, they were taken on a trust walk which was connected to our journey of faith. In the Helmet of Salvation, a quiz was given to measure how much they knew about various aspects of the Catholic Church.

Fr Simon Yong SJ then shared on the History of the Church. Before Mass for the second day, Fr Yong also gave an insight into the beauty of the Mass during his Walking Thru the Mass session. On the second night, parishioners from the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph’s Church joined in for the Breastplate of Righteousness. They and the youth facilitators prayed over the confirmands individually in a session filled with God’s grace. Enita Adelyn Netto said, “I really felt connected to God and felt peaceful and strengthened after the session.”

During the Belt of Truth session, the confirmands engaged in discusssions on different topics of sexuality and relationships. It was indeed, eye opening to hear all their opinions on subjects such as abortion, premarital sex and premarital cohabitation.

The final session on Shoes of Zeal allowed the confirmands to tell their testimonies on how God has worked in their lives. Besides these sessions, the confirmands read and shared the bible in groups every morning as part of the Sword of the Spirit.

The camp also had adoration and praise and worship led by Christopher Felix and John Paul Felix from St Thomas More, Subang Jaya. They were able to help the confirmands open up during prayer and give all their praise and thanksgiving to God.

The confirmands were also able to receive the sacrament of reconciliation on the third day.

Later, during the Festival of Praise, they danced, sang and acted performances that were not only entertaining and sometimes hilarious, but also evangelistic in nature.

For the potluck on the final day, many parents arrived with delicious dishes. As the parents attended a Parents’ Session, the confirmands enjoyed an interview with Bishop Bernard Paul where they had their questions answered. Everyone then joined in for the Closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Bernard.

“The camp has given me a deeper knowledge about our Catholic faith.” -- Jearon Liew

“I feel my faith in Christ strengthened and I’m ready for confirmation.” -- Ashviiyn Krish Vijey