Katholikos 2024

Aug 02, 2024

MELAKA: The Malacca Johore Diocese Young People Network (MJDYPN) recently held its annual parish youth leaders and advisors’ formation camp, Katholikos. This event brought together 52 youth leaders from 22 parishes within the diocese, representing different language and age groups, at the Good Shepherd Seminary.

Through this leadership training, the new parish leaders explored how to guide their parish youth closer to the Lord, with the accompaniment and leadership of the Holy Spirit, in line with this year’s theme, Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary.

The camp featured two guest speakers from the Archdiocesan Single Adults and Youth Office Kuala Lumpur (ASAYOKL), Jacinta Fernandez and Gregory Pravin, who delivered talks on conversing in the Holy Spirit. Participants learned how to listen to the opinions of every young person, synthesise diverse viewpoints to understand the needs of the youth in each parish, and fulfil their responsibilities as leaders by organising meaningful activities for the youth.

Each young person’s heart should be considered “holy ground,” a bearer of seeds of divine life, before which we must “take off our shoes” to draw near and enter more deeply into the Mystery (Christus Vivit, 67). Before explaining or making decisions, we must listen attentively and recognise the truth, facing reality with humility. Listening becomes impossible if we do not walk alongside young people on their earthly journey. The Gospel message the Church preserves must be spread using today’s advanced technology. Moreover, we recognise that on the journey of God’s people, young people might be leading the way.

During the two-day training camp, the youth had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with leaders from different parishes, discuss potential joint activities, and share event information. The camp was filled with a prayerful atmosphere, joyful hearts, and communion in the Lord. Everyone looks forward to gathering again at next year’s training camp.

Sharing by participants:
“The experience was really good, I got along well with everyone and met new youth from other parishes.” — Alexander Wong, Church of Holy Family, Ulu Tiram

“Ilearnt how to make everyone feel included and not excluded, to build a youth ministry where everyone can share and feel welcome. It is not an event place but a “home” for them to share.” — Marisse Tan, Church of St Peter, Melaka

“I learnt to be an example to the youth in my parish.” — Destiny Isaacbel, Church of St Louis, Kluang