We are the church moving forth to proclaim His name

The Youth ministers from the Diocesan Youth Office (DYO), together with the youths from Holy Trinity Church (HTC), Tawau, visited St. Thomas Chapel, Bombalai, some 30 KM from Tawau town on 11th October 2014.

Oct 24, 2014

TAWAU (herald Malaysia): The Youth ministers from the Diocesan Youth Office (DYO), together with the youths from Holy Trinity Church (HTC), Tawau, visited St. Thomas Chapel, Bombalai, some 30 KM from Tawau town on 11th October 2014. Some 30 youths gathered at the Chapel for the Youth Leaders’ Camp (YLC) Club. Also present at the event was Sr Anita fsic.

On arrival, we were welcomed by Petrus, one of the elders serving in St. Thomas Chapel. The programme started with action songs, led by the Parish Youth Apostolate (PYA) Tawau, to energize the participants. It was followed by games where youths from Holy Trinity Church and St. Thomas interacted with one another.

The next session was the viewing of the video on the previous Youth Leader’s Camp (YLC-III) held at St. Dominic’s Church, Lahad Datu last February. The youths, in several groups, discussed what touched them most and how they felt after watching the video. Most expressed a desire to gather with youths from other parishes and some wanted to participate in the next YLC scheduled to be held in Telupid early next year.

The local community prepared lunch for the team members and the participants. While waiting for the next session, the youths displayed their talents by plucking their guitar strings and some sang along. It was awesome to see young people from different backgrounds and cultures mixing well to project the church, a church for all.

In the afternoon, participants, again in groups, shared about their ups and downs while serving in the youth ministry. They found that they encountered common issues and faced similar challenges. However, their strong spirit to move forth and bring lapsed peers back to the church is most commendable. It was a fruitful and wonderful time for everyone.

In the evening, the youths, together with families staying around St. Thomas Chapel, assembled in front of the Grotto to pray the Rosary together. The group rosary, in prayer and meditation, brought the people together. In union, there is strength.

The evening continued with Friendship Night. Participants were asked to explain what friendship meant to them in creative ways. The only way to have a friend is to be a friend. Making friends and developing friendship is in fact a relationship process. One way to build and sustain friendship is contained in Luke 6:31, And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. The lyric in the hymn What a friend we have in Jesus is excellent for reflection regarding friendship.

The families were also present to show their support. They enjoyed the night together with the youths. It was a night filled with love and joy.

The night and the programme ended with a Closing Prayer led by Sr. Anita fsic. We are blessed to have the parents and families coming forth to support us during the program. We are the church and we want to go forth to proclaim His name