UPMers come together for their annual camp

Nov 29, 2019

By Cherryline
Members of the Catholic Students’ Society of Universiti Putra Malaysia (CSSUPM) came together for their Annual Camp, Sept 28-31. This year, it was held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Kuala Lumpur with 67 participants.

The Annual Camp committee members chose the theme Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong (1 Cor 16:13) to urge the youths to keep their faith strong and surrender themselves to God. The objectives of the camp also aimed to enforce and improve a sense of leadership among youths, the leaders of the future, to practise communication skills within the committees  which organised the camp and to expose youths in organising programmes outside of campus.

The four-day camp was filled with activities (ice-breaking session, mini indoor games, gotong-royong and talks). Night activities were filled with prayers including taize and the Liturgy of the Hours. The camp reached its peak on the third day with night performances. The participants were laughing and having a good time.

On the last day of the camp, Mass was celebrated with Fr Andrew Kooi of Holy Family Church, Kajang. After Mass, the youths were given time to share their feelings and testimonies. It was a session full of tears but also full of reverent thankfulness to God. Prior to the camp, the committee members worked hard to make the camp successful. A coffee morning session was held Oct 13 at the Holy Family Church Kajang Hall for fundraising purposes.  Sales were also conducted after each sunset Mass at St Anne’s Chapel with the full  support of them CSSUPM members. The camp was also funded with the help and support of CSSUPM alumni and sponsors.

CSSUPM was founded 45 years ago and St Anne’s Chapel has been within UPM campus for so long that it is considered a second home for the Catholic students who further their studies here. The association caters to the needs of the students in terms of spiritual thirst, strengthening of faith and providing a sense of belonging. Each member is precious in continuing the legacy and keeping the foundation of faith strong. Just like our motto, it is indeed our “family away from home”. --CSSUPM