Keningau Diocese Youth Camp 5 emphasis on Laudato Si’

Sep 20, 2019

By Ddroy Joneh
One thousand youths from all over Keningau Diocese flooded the Church of the Holy Spirit for the Fifth Diocesan Youth Camp (DYC5), with the theme  I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38).

The DYC-5, organised by the Catholic Diocesan Youth Commission brought together youths aged 16 years and above, to feel the presence of Christ through various sessions. The sessions were based on the pastoral mission statement, namely, Unity, Faithful and Holiness in Jesus Christ.

The opening Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Ronnie Luni, the spiritual director of KKBK, who believed that there were many young people who had wanted to join the DYC5 but due to other commitments, were unable to attend.

Fr Ronnie shared seven principles to know the level of our faith.

1. a strong desire and yearning for holiness as compared to a temporary pursuit of happiness.
2. knowing the priority and desiring to always give instead of receiving because when we give we will surely receive the reward.
3. always feeling honoured when you have the opportunity to serve rather than be served.
4. often being filled with happiness in personal life be it outward or inward.
5. always feeling blessed and grateful for  all things received and not being driven by greed.
6. being able to accept everything as they are rather than pursuing the ambition of owning everything and demanding that others do the same.
7. always living in the world of love, with everything measured by love. The night concluded with a Welcoming Night.

Throughout the DYC 5, the youths were guided to know the personality and ministry of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus himself.

The personality and ministry of Jesus Christ emphasises unity and community. The youths should model themselves after these precepts.  Mary’s example of faithfulness and readiness so as to be an instrument of salvation is another model to follow..

At the session Church Mission; Holiness, the youths were invited to live in holiness and imitate Jesus Christ, the leader and our Lord.

Laudato Si’ was  also included in the programme to instill a sense of love for the environment among the younger generation. It started with each participant being asked to bring their own water bottle to reduce the use of plastic bottles. They were also introduced to Eco-Brick, where used and dried plastics is inserted into and compressed in plastic bottles to reduce waste.

The organising chairman, Roney Alfred Eming said, “For this DYC-5, we declare that the Church and its surrounding is rubbish free and strive to reduce usage of plastic materials especially plastic straws as a concrete response to the call of our Pope in the official church document, Laudato Si’. 

The Pope urged Catholics all over the world to take care of the earth – our home together – especially for future generations.”

He also thanked all those who had lent their support during the DYC 5, especially Bishop Cornelius Piong who had given his full support as well as the Holy Spirit Parish pastors, members of the pastoral council, individuals and  those families who had participated as an ‘adopted family’ during the five days’ programme.

No DYC is complete without the Theme Night. The youths were given the opportunity to get to know one another better through songs and stage presentations. At the Closing Ceremony of the DYC-5, Bishop Cornelius Piong, hoped that the youths’ involvement  would continue after the DYC-5 in their respective families and parishes.

The Bishop also enocuraged the youths to emulate the Blessed Mother in their daily life so that their lives will always be focused on faith and not easily swayed by worldly matters.

“We should also imitate the attitude of the Blessed Virgin Mary who is faithful in her duty as mother to a family (John 2: 3), and we are called upon  to always be sensitive to the needs of the community just like Mary, who had the heart and eyes for the needs of others and lived with the apostles at that time.” said Bishop Piong.

He then announced that the 2023 DYC 6 will be at St Patrick’s Church, Membakut.