Youths learn that everyone is a gift from God

Jul 01, 2015

By Matt Wee
From May 29 to 31, the Church of the Immaculate Conception organised a Persons Are Gifts (PAG) camp for the youths of the parish. Forty-one students attended this stay-in camp at the parish centre. The speakers were the youth ministers from the Youth and Campus ministry of the diocese, a team from the Klang Valley and Mark Anthony, the parish youth advisor. A wonderful team made up of form four students who had attended the same camp last year, were facilitators for the camp. A few adults, led by Donald Culas, helped with the logistics and planning of the camp.

After months of planning and organization, the first day of the camp finally arrived. The facilitating team put on a great welcome ceremony for the icebreakers. They acted, sang and played games to help the participants feel more comfortable and get to know one another. The participants then shared their expectations and contributions for the camp in the first session. The sessions taught the participants to realise that all their gifts are from God. They discovered more about themselves and the talents they have. The participants also learned about the gift of God’s love, the gift of their parents and the gift of the people around them. Apart from just listening to the speakers, talent hunt games, testimonies, group sharings and videos were used in the sessions. “All the sessions were helpful spiritually,” said Breanna Anne.

Christopher Luke Felix and his team led them in praise and worship. In the evenings, Donald Culas led the participants in team building games and dodgeball. The participants were touched during Adoration on the first night of the camp. Abygail Sharon shared, “I could feel God speaking to me and calling me in Adoration.” On the second night, many parents and guests attended a talent night, with performances by the participants. They used their talents to put up amazing skits. A feast was prepared for all present as the guests had brought various delicious dishes for the potluck that night.

The sacrament of reconciliation on the third day saw all the participants taking the opportunity to seek forgiveness. The parents also attended a parents’ session on the final day and then joined their children for the final Mass. For the closing of the camp, the participants prayed over their parents and then their parents prayed over them. The camp helped many of the participants build a relationship with God. Many of them asked for more prayer time in future camps and volunteered to help in upcoming camps. Suzzann Susai said, “I want to support future PAG camps to help the future generation grow in faith.”