Called, formed and sent The MiDYA mission

Apr 25, 2025

MIRI: One hundred and five young people recently gathered for one month for the Miri Diocesan Youth Apostolate (MiDYA). They came with hearts full of hope and curiosity seeking answers to questions like “Who am I?” and “What is my calling?”

Guiding them through this journey were two warm and spirited coordinators, Kak Feli and Kak Nia. Their ever encouraging presence and sincere smiles made this four week-journey not only bearable, but deeply meaningful.

The first week focused on Human Formation. Led by dedicated facilitators, the youth were invited to explore values that lie at the core of being human — love, empathy, responsibility. It wasn’t just about learning from others, but also learning to understand ourselves and how we relate to those around us.

Week two was all about Pastoral Formation. This was led by Haggai Malaysia, who brought in inspiring speakers from outside. Their talks went beyond just words, they stirred something within us, reminding us of the importance of serving, leading, and being active in the parishes and communities. Then came week three — Community Life Formation. The youth stepped out of their comfort zones and into homes through the foster family programme. Living with host families taught them humility, gratitude, and service. They experienced the beauty of giving and receiving love from complete strangers, who soon became like family.

In the final week, they entered into Spiritual Formation. Talks on vocation encouraged deep reflection. Visits to the Carmelite Convent opened their eyes to the quiet yet powerful lives of those who have answered God’s call. Some cried, some sat in silence, perhaps for the first time truly hearing the still, small voice of God within.

And then came a night they will never forget — Solidarity Night. Planned and carried out by the participants themselves, it was a beautiful celebration of everything they had experienced. That night was filled with laughter, music, tears, and a sense of unity that words can’t fully describe. It was not just a farewell, it was a promise to carry this experience forward in their lives.

MiDYA #6 brought together 105 participants alongside priests, sisters, and guest speakers, all of whom played a part in shaping the young people’s journey. This was not just another youth programme; it was a life-changing chapter. There were sweet moments, like sugar, and bittersweet ones like lime but each of them had a role in shaping them.

As the youth stepped out of MiDYA, one thing was sure, they were no longer the same as when they first arrived.