Children of God, People of the Church, Stewards of the Creation.
The 2nd National Youth Fellowship dubbed as KOMUNIDAD, with 32 Filipino Katoliko youth leaders from different parishes and dioceses of the Holy Mother Church (Filipino Katoliko) was successfully held last 24-28 June 2024 in Duyos Camping Resort, Coring, Basilisa, Dinagat Island.
Delegates from the Bukidnon, Davao, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, and Agusan del Norte provinces met a day ahead of the travel time to the venue in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, hosted by the San Antonio de Padua Parish.
KOMUNIDAD 2024 aimed to provide a space for the young members to build camaraderie as a community; collectively revisit the Church’s history, faiths, and beliefs; reflect on the important issues and concerns that the young people nowadays are facing; understand the socio-political and environmental challenges and the tasks today and ahead; review the organizational systems and mechanisms and lay down long and short-term plans and programs for the upcoming years.
The delegates arrived on the 24th of June 2024, at the Feast of Saint John the Baptist.
25 June 2024
The fellowship started with a Eucharistic celebration with Rev Fr Alejandro Notarte, Jr (Parish Priest of San Antonio de Padua in Osmena, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur).
This was followed by the General Orientation on the Filipino Katoliko’s historical and sacramental narratives and basis with Bishop Jaime Dadol and Most Rev Pedro Fenis, Jr as led discussants. The presentation included the Church’s principles, vision, mission, faiths, and beliefs. It was a sound and interesting discussion with young people asking questions and clarifications and even presenting reflections.
Meanwhile, Rev Fr Alejandro Notarte, Jr, and Bishop Carlito Verzano, Sr led the discussions on the importance of the Words of the Lord. The narratives and accounts of the Old and New Testaments were also revisited, emphasizing how these words and wisdom guide good Christians and children of God.
The day ended with the declaration and renewal of commitments as members of the Holy Church.
26 June 2024
It was a calm morning.
The day was allotted to the socio-political concerns confronting the youth and society.
Most Rev Pedro P. Fenis, Jr and Bishop Jaime Dadol in a dynamic duo shared on the Creation and how it was destroyed.
The discussion has reminded us that as children of God, we are called Stewards and not exploiters of Creation.
The youth leaders were given time to discuss the concerns that confronted them as a sector and community. They were also asked how they could effectively contribute to their proposed responses.
In the afternoon, the group was divided into three smaller groups to discuss three thematic focuses – Depression, Addiction, and AgroEcology. Workshop facilitators were Arnel Arceno, Johanna Olaivar, and Genneviev Saripada. The workshop discussions were theoretical and practical exchanges between and among the facilitators and participants. At the end of the sessions, concrete recommendations were laid down, presented in the plenary, and later included in the plan of action of the fellowship.
27 June 2024
A representative from the Basilisa Municipal Environment and Natural Resources was invited to discuss with the participants the importance of Coastal Resource Management in the race against the impacts of Climate crisis. He highlighted the need for all stakeholders to take on the challenge now to ensure the survival of humanity and all other species. He is also critical of the destructive and exploitative programs hitting the environment and affecting the communities. He called and encouraged the youth leaders to continue the efforts that contribute to the restoration of the global balance of nature. According to him, small actions can be big if people act together.
The session was supposed to be followed by a Mangrove tree-planting activity. Due to high tide, the group decided to plant coconut trees in the camping resort periphery after the management agreed.
After all the formalities, the team-building and fun part followed. Group games were organized to improve friendship and camaraderie among youth leaders.
The latter part of the day was the organizational part and planning.
The fellowship elected a new leadership, and a solidarity program organized by the campers closed the night.
28 June 2024
It was a ride back home for all of the delegates. A brief assessment and evaluation with the parishioners of the host, San Vicente Ferrer Parish, and the Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel was held before the departure.
The 2nd Filipino Katoliko Youth Fellowship’s theme was: “AS STEWARDS: Care for the Creation, Restore Nature and Build JustPeace Future”
We express our deepest gratitude for the support and solidarity in different forms to all members, non-members, advocacy networks, and government offices.
For the Filipino Katoliko, it is also our responsibility to contribute to shaping a better future and we believe that the Youth Fellowship played an important role.
——
A collective composition of the workshop on AgroEcology:
“Iligtas and Mundo”
Kailangan ba pumasa sa pasulit?
Pagpipilia’y GMO ba o Organik
Dalawa kayong pagpipilian
Pipili daw dahil kailangan
Gusto ng karamihan maraming ani
GMO nga ba ay OK?
At nagkakrisis ang mundo
Lito, Gutom, Hirap ang mga tao
Sa ating kabataan
Boses ng kaunlaran
Di dapat mali kung pakinabang ang mithi
Sa organic, healthy ang everybody
Inang kalikasan ay ating pangalagaan
Mina at mga illegal ating iwasan
Adbokasiya’y panghawakan hanggang dulo
Tungo sa pagbabagong ligtas ang mundo
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Filipino Katoliko Youth Fellowship National Set of Officers:
President: Joanna A. Olaivar
Vice President: Harah May Sophia D. Fenis
Secretary: Mariel L. Opendo
Treasurer: Khian Ryan A. Sayson
Auditor: Dicky B. Llanza
PIO: Gerald P. Ga
Diocese Representatives:
Lestlie Aropo (Agusan Norte – Surigao City)
Marialyn Dupa (Agusan Sur – Surigao Sur)
Krizelle Torress (Bukidnon)
