Penang Diocese Campus Day 2020

Nov 14, 2019

By Maria Yeap
The Penang Diocesan Campus Students Day 2020 was launched Oct 26 at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. Inspired by Pope Francis’ post synodal apostolic exhortation to the youth, Christus Vivit, the theme for the Campus Students Day was Christ Is Alive!

This event brought together 41 Campus Leaders from 18 campuses spread throughout the Diocese of Penang, from universities located in the northernmost states of Peninsular Malaysia, like University Malaysia Perlis and University Malaysia Kelantan, right down to Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris located at the Perak-Selangor border.

This event encompassed a series of programmes designed to equip these Campus Leaders with the basic understanding of what Christus Vivit is and how they can spread the message of Christus Vivit and journey together with their fellow students towards the Penang Diocesan Campus Students Day 2020.

The morning began with a wel come speech by the parish Administrator Fr Vincent Paul, followed by the opening speech by the Coordinator of the Penang Diocesan Campus Students Day 2020, Jason James Tioh. The Campus Leaders were then divided into groups for ice breaker games, led by Andrea Melissa Andrew and Wendy Natalia Jaslie. From jumping like frogs to being carried with one hand, they quickly warmed up to one another.

Daniel Roy Santiago, who represented Malaysia in June 2019 for the Youth Synod in Rome, briefed the Campus Leaders on the vision and mission of the Penang Diocesan Campus Students Day 2020, the roles and responsibilities of campus students and the importance of cluster communities. Ten cluster communities have been identified: Perak with four clusters, Penang with three clusters and one cluster each for Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan. Each cluster is to name their community and identify the focus of their respective communities.  Campus  Leaders were encouraged to bond with other campuses within their clusters.

After lunch, activities based on specific chapters of Christus Vivit were conducted. Campus Leaders learned about:

a) Jesus, ever young
b) You are the ‘NOW’ of God
c) Paths of youth
f) Young people with roots

Fr Simon Anand, Head of the Penang Diocesan Youth Network, then expounded on Christus Vivit and how young people should be wary and not be led by the false promises of the secular world.

The final session was conducted by Daniel Roy Santiago who briefed the Campus Leaders on the seven step gospel sharing. These leaders will bring the seven steps back to their respective communities and put them into practice during their gatherings.

Campus Leaders then chose from a pool of tasks that they would undertake together with their cluster communities.  These tasks were in the form of  performances based on the sub-topics of Christus Vivit. The cluster communities will present their tasks/performances during the Penang Diocesan Campus Students Day 2020, which is scheduled to be in May 2020.

Campus Leaders then sealed their commitment to spread the message of Christus Vivit and to journey with their fellow students by stamping their thumbprint on the official logo.  They are expected to bring items that symbolise the journey and growth of their campus ministries, from the day of launching until the actual event day and present these items in May 2020.

The event closed with sunset Mass celebrated by Fr Simon and concelebrated with Fr Vincent. This was followed by the official launching of the Penang Diocesan Campus Students Day 2020.

A special note of gratitude to the students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris who assisted in getting the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer ready for this event. To all tertiary students, see you in May 2020!