The truth about life, love and sex

Apr 15, 2016

By Matt Wee
March 12-14, the Youth Ministry of Melaka-Johor Diocese organised a No Apologies camp. The camp was held at Majodi Centre and was attended by 34 participants from secondary schools. During the camp, the team of facilitators from Melaka presented talks from the No Apologies programme that was redesigned to cater to Catholic students. The sessions, aimed at teaching the students about life, love and sex, were conducted with a mixture of games, activities and group sharing to get the participants more involved.

In the opening session, the participants first learned about themselves in the topic Who Am I?

The second session discussed the influence of the media in our lives. It let participants know that the messages sent out by the media affect how they view love, sex and relationships.

The session was an eye-opener, especially when the participants were asked to gauge how much time they spend on media activities. In between the talks, there was also praise and worship and confession. The sessions continued with the topic Boundaries and Choices. Again, the participants found how boundaries set today affect their future, and the consequences when boundaries are crossed.

The next session taught the participants about healthy relationships and chastity. This session helped the participants make sense of the feelings they have for members of the opposite sex and to differentiate between love, lust and infatuation. They also had their pledge cards to remind them of their commitment to purity, which they will carry with them after this camp is over. Their parents also attended a special parents’ session conducted by Deacon Petrus and his wife.

The second night ended with a video and a session about homosexuality. The final day began with a Bible sharing session. Deacon Adrian Ng then shared on vocation for the final session. The camp closed with confession and Mass.

Among the many and crucial issues young people face today are how to make wise choices about sexuality. The culture we live in is teeming with sexual images, inappropriate messages and dangerous advice about sex. Through the No Apologies camp, we help the young steer through this sea of mixed messages that surround them and focus on the words of God.