Youth gear up for ‘Year of Parish’

ANTIPOLO City – The country’s youth ministry will intensify its programs this year, aligning it with the Catholic Church’s celebration of the Year of the Parish.

Spearheaded by the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY), youth ministers from across the country gathered this week to discuss how their programs can be more in sync with Year of the Parish directives.

Salesian Youth Ministry leader Richard Tañada affirmed the positive effects of such a move.

One understanding

“Whatever the directives the Church gives, the youth ministry aligns. Plans are aligned to show that diocese and national organizations are one,” he said.

“It gives direction for all youth ministers in the Philippines to have the same understanding and it helps in the exchange of issues within the local and regional level,” added Tañada.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has declared 2017 as the Year of Parish with the theme “Parish as a Communion of Communities”.

After discussing the theme in order to understand it better, regional youth directors and coordinators made year-round youth activities parallel to the Church’s priorities.

More than 50 youth leaders attended the annual National Youth Coordinating Council (NYCC) held at the St. Michael Retreat House, San Jose, Antipolo City from March 13 to 17.

Looking towards 2021

One of the activities in the 5-day conference was a recollection facilitated by Fr. Amado Picardal, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Committee on Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs).

In his talk, the priest explained the Year of the Parish theme, which is also in line with the “novena years” of preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Church in the Philippines, in 2021.

He also encouraged the youth to actively participate in BECs and to reach out to communities.

“This recollection, being facilitated by Fr. Picardal about the Parish as Communion of Communities is an indication and invitation to be one in mind and heart in serving the young people,” explained ECY executive director Fr. Conegundo Garganta.

The NYCC serves as a consultative body for regional and diocesan concerns. CBCPNews