PARISH YOUTHS LEAD THE WAY

Mar 20, 2015

By Percy D’Cruz
The Parish Youth Co-Ordinating Committee (PYCC) of the Gajah Berang parish of St. Theresa sparked a ‘new twist’ to the customary Lenten Campaign by organising a 7.8 km Lenten Season Youth Charity Run themed Let’s Run, God's Children.

Some 180 youths and students of Catholic High School and Notre Dame Convent, who had received individual sponsorships, completed the early morning run along the upper reaches of Gajah Berang. A total of RM1650.00, plus RM300.00 in cash contributions, was made on the spot at the church compound where the run started and ended.

All runners who completed the run were rewarded with certificates and medals by the organising committee including Parish priest, Fr. Peter Ng, parish council chairman, Jospeh Ng, and PYCC spiritual advisor, Sr. Andrea Tan.

In his address to the youths and officials at the parish hall following the run, Fr. Peter noted that the Lenten Campaign is a faith-based programme of the Church, aimed at actively encouraging the faithful in the three key practices of prayer, fasting and alms-giving.

“I am proud of our local parish youths’ participation in the run in support of upholding the campaign theme, Recognising Christ in Community. Lent is a conducive season to renew our belief that Christ is present in the community. Thus, we re-connect to practise integrity in our relationship in six main areas of our lives, namely personal, family, BEC, workplace or school community and nation.

Fr. Peter also called on youths to witness and recognize Christ in the individual person, and society as a whole, regardless of their political affiliation, ethnic background, religion, cultural, social or economic situations.

“We must always recognise each other as equals, though we may have differing cultures, circumstances, occupations, needs and aspirations. We have to witness Christ in the poor, the marginalised, the disadvantaged and the aged. The money raised by your good work, will go a long way” he added.