Volume I Version I   ☼   Today is 

CAMPUS YOUTH MINISTRY GATHERING:

“Bringing New Life to the Church

in Bringing the Youth Closer to Christ”

             In keeping with the thrust of the First Synod of the Diocese of Balanga, the Diocesan Commission on Youth and the Diocesan Catechetical Ministry organized a gathering for the core groups of the Campus Youth Ministry (CYM) last March 3, 2007 at Tomas del Rosario College Gym, Balanga City with the theme: “Kabanalan at kabayanihan hamon sa iyo, kabataan.”

            The event started with singing some songs and formally began with a welcome address from Fr. Ernesto B. de Leon, Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Ministry.  The entrance of the image of the Blessed Virgin and the praying of the rosary followed afterwards.

            One of the significant events in the program was the inaugural parade of the CYM core groups coming from 23 public high schools and 4 private high schools.  They were accompanied by their teacher-animators who underwent training last January 26-28.  The parade ended with a ceremonial enthronement of the cross and communal singing of “Bataan, Bayani at Banal”.

            The guest speaker, Fr. Blaise Ma. Garcia, MMHC, presented in his talk the role and spirituality of the CYM based on the paschal mystery and challenged the students to become committed Christian leaders.  A group sharing about the topic discussed followed.

            The gathering was highlighted by the presence of Bishop Socrates B. Villegas, D.D. who related a poignant story about the commissioning of the youth to carry the light of Christ to their campuses.  He exhorted the youth present to continue serving their fellow youth.

            Lively music with dancing and singing dominated the affair in the afternoon as the CYM had their vibrant presentations.  The awarding of the logo making contest was held after the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which culminated the activity.

            This momentous event is an endeavor to ignite the zeal of the youth to respond to the call of holiness and heroism and become partakers in the mission of evangelization.  It aims, at the same time, to provide an avenue to develop interdependence and camaraderie among the core groups and make them a united evangelical arm in the campuses of Bataan.

            The Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross and Franciscan Immaculatine Sisters are the missionary teams tasked to handle CYM in the government secondary schools and and some private secondary schools in the Diocese of Balanga.