Hope in the Lord, He will renew their strength

“Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles.

Jan 10, 2025


TELUPID:
“Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31) was the theme chosen for the Telupid Parish youth Day. It was based on Pope Francis’ message who urged young people to view life as a journey, seeking happiness despite it’s challenges. He emphasised that fatigue in life’s struggles is natural and encouraged them not to give up but to become “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Last month, the Telupid Parish Youth hosted the 39th World Youth Day celebration at the Church of St Martin. This event aimed to inspire young people to embrace and live the hope-filled message of Pope Francis while deepening their connection with God. The planned activities encouraged Catholic youth to approach life with the spirit of faith, love, and purpose, reflecting their role as pilgrims.

Eighty-eight participants aged between 13-45 attended the event. They began with registration, followed by the Enthronement of the Bible, an opening prayer, and praise and worship “Time of Life” session.

The first session, Running to Hope led by Elsa, encouraged participants to recognise life’s challenges and find hope rooted in faith in God. The activities included group discussions about challenges in their faith journey and the creation of vision cards that expressed their aspirations.

In the subsequent session, Hope of a Pilgrim of Life, Beller guided the youth in exploring how life’s difficulties can foster spiritual growth and hope. Participants carried weights through several stations, symbolising life’s obstacles, while reflecting on this question, “Where do I find God in difficult times?”

The “RM1.50” activity helped participants adapt to new experiences, foster teamwork, and share joy. Each participant was assigned a value (RM1 for males and RM0.50 for females) and formed groups based on a specific total value. This activity highlighted the importance of collaboration and empathy in navigating life’s challenges.

The final session, Mission of Hope, delivered by Sr Vyelynda, emphasised the importance of sharing hope with others. Participants composed prayers or messages for their group members and took time to reflect on the prayers they received in return, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.

All the activities were inspired by Pope Francis’ message to the youth, exploring themes like Pilgrimage of Life and its Challenges, Pilgrim in the Desert, From Tourist to Pilgrim, and Pilgrimage of Hope for Mission. The programme concluded with a group photo, clean-up, and dinner, leaving participants with cherished memories. This celebration not only strengthened the faith of the youth but also inspired them to live their journey of life with hope, faith, and love. --Clly Gulimit

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