""
Bringing the Light of Christ to Asia
Âť
o c l>
::tJ m -4
by Jon Escoto, CYA Staffer
)
:ll
S
everal years ago, Pope Paul VI in his visit to Manila called the Philippines "the Bethlehem of the Far East" from which the Word of God would go forth to Asia. In CVA, we have been attempting to respond to the /\oly Father's words. Over the past few years we have invited "delegates from several Asian countries to participate in our Summer Training Conferences. Starting last year we began sending Mission Teams to Singapore and Brunei. Last August 11-25, four CYA staffers went to Brunei at the invitation of Rev. Cornelius Sim, the only priest in that tiny Islamic nation. The Mission Team was led by Raoul Roncal, and included Renee Punzal, Vanessa . Villarosa, and myself. We were asked to lead several evangelistic activities in different parts of Brunei, and to train their youth leaders in evangelization and follow-up. Raoul and I organized a training ~ousehold for 30 young men, while Renee and Vanessa had a separate one for 22 women. For two weeks, we lived together, building brotherhood and sisterhood, growing in Christian life and apostolic service, and learning how to serve one another in practical ways. I had expected the households not to work so well. The main reason was the size: III Manila, for a group of over 20 members, we would attempt to have a leadership core made up of several CY A staff workers. Here, we had two leaders per household. "God have mercyl" I said, "This won't work." But God proved me wrong. Almost immediately, the brothers and sisters began to show signs of growth in their love for the Lord, and to make decisive steps to deepen their relationship with Him. It became a common sight to see one or two of thorn at prayer in the
middle of the day. "I don't normally sing Christian songs, but now I'm enjoying it," said a young man named Jason. They also began to serve one another in practical. ways: cleaning the house, preparing meals, washing dishes, and so forth. For many of them, it was the first time in their lives that they did those things! In the town of Seria, we gave a Christian Life Series to 260 young people, some of whom came from another town, Kuala Belait. "We've never before had this big a group of young people gathered together I" said Fr. Sim happily.
Continued on Page 2
Staffers Gil Galeste (far left) and Mike Munarriz (standing) first led a men's training household in Brunei last year. Here is the household at table together.
r-
-<
-c c: m I o
l> -4 0 Z
0
" 0 :t
:ll
-
~
-4 "oM
(J)
-<
0 C -t
:::I: z
- t
l> o -t
c J J
-
0 Z
•0 o -t
.....L
!~
CD CD
t
I\)
I
1
J
2 Bringing the Light ...
from page 1
Again, I had lowered my of me. It entered my heart. I was filled expectations. The group was too big for with a joy I had never known before. a ClS, I thought, and the age range was After that alii could say was, I love you, too broad (13-24 years). But once more Jesus!" the lord showed that He was in charge; Another girl, also non-Christian, was He wanted to reveal His love and mercy being prayed with when she began to to them: young and old, nominal shake uncontrollably. 'It was discovered Christians, non-Christians and that she was wearing a superstitious "freethinkers". amulet around her neck. When that was When we talked, they listened. removed, she 'calmed down and When we presented skits after the talks, experienced God's peace. She is now they responded. When we sang--how attending catechism classes in order to they loved to sing! They didn't know that be baptized as a Catholic. singing could be a form of prayer, and The day after the commitments, that the Christian life could be so Raoul was approached by one of the enjoyable! male participants, who asked him for When it was time for them to make help in reading the Bible. Assuming this a personal commitment to follow Jesus, young man to be a Christian from we didn't have to convince them much childhood, Raoul said, "Start by reading more. They were simply overwhelmed the Gospels." "What are the Gospels?" by the love of God. It was a wonderful the man asked. sight: People who were closed to God "They're in the New Testament." now exuded joy as they worshiped Him. Back came the question, "What's the For me, the most exhilirating experience New Testament?" was to see the non-Christians (who "That's what's after the Old comprised about 30-40% of the Testament." participants) now lifting their hands i., "Old Testament...?" prayer. Again, Fr. Sim happily com- _ mented, "This is the most powerful, and "You don't seem to know much at the same time most peaceful, prayer about the Bible, do you?" session that I have witnessed." "No." A non-Christian Chinese girl shared afterwards: "As I was praying, I saw a crucifix descending from heaven. It got closer and closer, until it was right in front
Reflections
"Then what has led you to want to read it now?"
by Eduardo S. Canlas, Ph.D. Professionals [one of CYA's partnersin-mission].
When my third daughter, Susan, decided to serve the lord as a CYA staffer, working in schools in Manila like U.P., Ateneo, and so forth, it came as no surprise tome.
I L__... _ ..... __ .
This is another example of the vast hunger among the Bruneian youth for the word of God, and how we were privileged to help slake that spiritual thirst. Towards the end of our stay in Brunei, we gave another CLS to 60 people in the capital city of Bandar. It was more challenging there, because the youth are more materialistic and spiritually aloof. Once again, God did the work for us. When we prayed for His Spirit to touch them, He overwhelmed them with His power and love. My experience in Brunei taught me several things. The first is that "everything is grace." It is the same God who rules over the Philippines and over Brunei. By His gracious love young people come to know and love Him. Second, the need to evangelize is ever more urgent. To this point we in CYA have been called to first of all evangelize the Filipino youth, but how refreshing it was to help serve the Church in Brunei as well! Third, young people everywhere are hungry for the lord. like the prophet Isaiah, I felt the lord ask, "Whom shall I send?" With gratitude I found myself responding, "Here I am, lord, send mel"
The man explained that he came from a non-Christian background. "After
of a Staffer'S Dad
Susan Canlas, with Aboui a year Plata looking on. earlier, my wife and I had renewed our relationship with the lord. We joined a movement called the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and
being prayed with yesterday, I began to have this intense desire to read the Bible. Everytime I see a Bible, I feel as if I need to open and read it. But I don't know how."
At that time, I offered my entire fam ily in the service of the lord. Admittedly, my offer to serve God as a 'family was quite vague and nebulous. But when my eldest daughter decided to dedicate one whole year to the lord's service, I sensed the lord saying, "A promise is a promise."
CYA Director Rogel
Then, my seven-year old son, Andrew, gave me another reminder about my promise to the Lord. One evening, while I was putting him to bed I said, "Andrew, let's kneel down, close our eyes, and ask our lord what He wants us to do." Without much fuss my little boy said, "Okay, let's pray." In less than a minute, he Was finished praying. I asked him, "What happened?" He replied simply, "The Lord told me, Andrew, you will be my
servant." These incidents convinced me that our lord takes very seriously the promises we make to Him. So, when Susan told me her decision to work for CYA, I was not the least bit surprised. I only remarked to myself, "The lord must be collecting again on my promise to Him I"
----
3
News Bits Cardinal Vidal Endorses CY A-Cebu The following are excerpts from a statement issued by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu: "In a/l my years of pastoral service to the Church, I have always had a great love and concern for the youth. They are the future leaders of the Church and of our country. "Younq people are looking for ideals to give their lives to.... They need models who have high ideals .... First of a/l, the youth need to be pointed to the perfect model, Jesus Christ. Then there is the Christ's Youth in Action (CYA). ':4s the pastor of the Archdiocese of Cebu, I open the doors of the Archdiocese to Christ's Youth in Action."
Rogel Plata in Singapore Many of you know by now that our CYA Director, Rogel Plata, is in Singapore for cancer treatment. At the insistence of our brothers and sisters in Singapore who offered to shoulder all medical costs, Rogel will be staying there for three months or so. He is expected to return to Manila in mid-December. Rogel is receiving a weekly treatment of chemotherapy. So far he is responding positively to the medication, and by God's grace there have been no serious side effects. Please pray for his total recovery, so he may resume his responsibilities as Director. Until Rogel's return Ken Noecker is overseeing our CYA work as Acting Director. Please pray for him tool
Reports from Cagayan De Oro ... CY A-Cagayan de Oro has been quite busy with numerous evangelistic activities. They are active in the campus of the Mindanao Polytechnic State College. They sponsored a Christian concert entitled "Higala, Gabay Mo Ako" which means "Friend, I'm with You." A Crossroads retreat led to a Christian Life Series. Our volunteer worker, Toy Cinco, reports: "Last Sunday, August 23, was our prayer session for the CLS participants. 75 attended. It was really powerful and moving. Three weeks from now we will have the commitment day." Keep it up, CYA-Cagayan de Orol
...and lligan City Dong Escalante writes: "July 13-18 was a busy week for CYA-lligan as we launched the Christ Awareness Week program. It was a glorious week for evangelization. Our brothers and sisters worked very hard in preparation for the activity. One radio station agreed to play Christian music and quote Bible passages once in a while during their regular program. "One big success was the street evangelism, which was held at six in the evening. Brothers and sisters confidently shared their love for Christ with other people. In fact, one member, a 13- year old (our youngest in lIigan) was able to share his faith with a college student with such confidence that his partner, another CYA member, could only thank and praise God in awe." Doodz Dalangin, CYA-lligan's energetic leader, reports that "the number of committed members here has been doubled, that's why we find it hard to find a place for our General Assem bly." Doodz, that's a good problem to have I Keep up the great workl
500 Attend CYA-Manila Gathering Five hundred joyful young people gathered for our CYA Gathering held at Xavier School last September 27. This was a prayer meeting attended by all our Metro Manila campus groups. It was notable that among those who came were representatives from 23 colleges and universities in Manila, two universities outside Manila, and two parish-based groups. There were also some high school students and single working professionals.
PRAYER INTENTIONS 1. Please pray for Rogel as he underpoe s chemotherapy in Singapore, that "he will be totally healed and quickly return to Manila to continue serving CYA. 2. Our 12th CY A anniversary celebration will be held on November 15 at the Xavier Grade School Gym. Please pray for the success of this joyful occasion. 3. As our first school semester comes to a close, many students will be completing their Christian Life Series in various schools. Kindly remember in your prayers those who will make a commitment to follow Christ, that the Holy Spirit will empower and sustain their decision. 4. Our provincial groups are fast growing; they are making a good impact on the youth in their locales. Let us pray that the lord will continue blessing their evangelization work, that more young people might offer their lives to Him.
4
From "Sosyal" to "Woman for God and Others" by Veronica
Litonjua,
B.S. Clothing Technology,
I had everything I could ever want. I come from a happy, fairly affluent, and close-knit family. I studied in an exclusive Catholic school for girls where I received several academic awards. Since I was young I have been taught by my parents and teachers to be upright and moral.
~
join CYA. CYA, what's that? I had suspicions that it was a weird group, so I always found excuses not to go. But my friend was persistent, so I finally went to a CY A prayer meeting. I enjoyed it right away. I met young people who were not just interested in "fun", but showed sincere interest in my welfare. They really caredl
What more could a girl ask? But I never took time to thank God for all His blessings.
When I entered the University of the Philippines, I found myself in an environment so different from the one I grew up in. I wanted to feel secure, to feel that I "belong" in this big, prestigious university. I started looking for friends who, like me, were from exclusive girls' schools. We were a group of "sosyal" r=. (sophisticated and snobbish) girls who had many male admirers. How we made those heads turn! My life became one big party. My social schedule was full! I was regularly invited to parties and discos. Because I was able to keep an above-average academic record, I felt that I had an edge over everyone else. Who else could be as well-rounded and successful as I? But I was deceiving myself. I thought I was contented with life--I wasn't. I kept joining different groups, thinking that my happiness lay in having more and more friends. I started to take on new ideas and values, many of which were opposed to those I learned in my youth. I began to have relationship problems with my family. My friends couldn't help me much; they were there for "fun", nothing more .. At that time of confusion, I met an old fi iend from high school. She invited me to
U.P.
I realized that the "something" I was looking for was really Someone. In the Christian Life Series, I "rediscovered" a God who really accepted me for who I am. I thought I was the one looking for Him; it turned out He was the One searching for mel When I finally decided to follow Him seriously, my life began to make sense. I found the meaning of everything, even my studies. I learned to control my temper, and my relationship with my family became better. I learned to appreciate other people without regard for their social class or family background. Most of all, I learned that "fun" is not only found in parties and discos. Even more, it's found in serving others and knowing God personally.
Veronica Litonjua is a member of Christ's Youth in Action at the University of the Philippines.
Christ's Youth In Action (CYA) is a Catholic movementof young Filipinos dedicatedto evangelizingthe youthand training leaders for the service of the Church. We serve colleges, universities, parishes, and renewal groups in Metro Manila and other parts of the Philippines. AFFILIATES. University of the Philippines. Ateneo de Manila University. Universityof Santo Tomas. Far Eastern University. St. Scholastica'sCollege. Miriam College. Don BoscoTechnicalCollege. Araneta University. St. Paul College (Quezon City). . Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Holy Angel University (Angeles City). CYA-Cagayande Oro City. CYA-lligan City. CYA-Zamboanga City. ASSOCIATES. Concordia College. Mapua Institute of Technology. Arellano University. "Servants of the Lord's Vineyard" (De La Salle University). Trinity College. San Beda College. UP Law School. Rizal TechnologicalColleges. NAMEI. Jose Rizal College. St. Paul University (Tuguegarao). CYA-Iloilo. CYA- Cebu. ASSISTEDGROUPS. "Witnesses of Christ" (Marikina). "DakUang Pangarap" Community (Tondo). Assumption College (Manila). Philippine School of Business Admini$tration (Quezon City). Central Oolleges of too Philippines. Adamson University. "Servants of the Divine Mercy" (Binalbagan, Negros Occ.). CYAPalawan. CYA-Naga. CYA-Laoag City. Baguio Cathedral Youth Committee. CYA-General Santos City. Notre Dame University (Cotabato City). "Sower's Field" (Cagayan de Oro City). La Salle (Bacolod City). UP-Los Banos (Laguna). Universityof the Assumption (San Fernando,Pampanga). st. John's Parish Youth Group (Brunei). Y-outh PraiseMinistry(Singapore). CYAis a "Partner in Mission" with the following communitiesand renewal movements: Ang Ligaya ng Panqinoon Community. The Light ofJ.e.sus Community. Couples For Christ. .The Brotherhoodof Christian Businessmen and Professionals. Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. Tahanan ng Panqinoon.: Womenfor Christ. LumenChristi. Word of Joy Foundation. All donations to CYA are tax-deductible. Please forward all correspondenceto our Office at 300 P.. Guevarra St., San Juan, Metro Manila. Telephone Number: 708-095. Fax: 793-507. Artist: Gabby Medina, AB Fine Arts, UP