Serving The Church Of Asia
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its theme: Journey".
ifty-five delegates from 13 countries of Asia came together for a Colloquium for Catholic chaplains last July 12-18. Sponsored by the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences - Office of Education and School Chaplaincy (FABCOESC), this historic event was held at the Loyola Retreat House and had for "Accompanying the Youth in Their Faith-Life
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Recognizing that young people today, especially those in the university milieu, encounter tremendous challenges to their faith, these campus ministers sought for contemporary approaches in campus ministry. To this end, resource speakers at the Colloquium included Fr. Mario Baclig, SOB, and Fr. Leo Perera, former chaplain of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS).
Most of the sessions, however, were handled by the CYA National Director, Rogel Plata (who was appointed project director of the Colloquium), and others who are Staffers of (or associated with) CYA: Jake Yap, Renee Punzal, Mae Legaspi, and Michael Keating. The team from CYA gave presentations on campus evangelization, CYA-style. These
by Angie Montoya, CYA-East Asia Institute of Computer Technology
I went to a Catholic school, lived in a dorm where the nuns taught us catechism, and eventually joined their religious congregation. My years of formation in the convent were joyful ones, yet I still felt something was missing. So I left. I enrolled at the East Asia Institute of Computer Technology. At that time I was 23 years old. I felt I could offer something to the younger students, so I volunteered to lead a religious organization on campus.
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When Something Is Missing In Your Life All my life I have been searching for that "something" that can satisfy my soul.
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Sometime later, I saw an ad about a Summer Training Conference being offered by CYA. I didn't know about CYA then, but I attended the conference anyway. I was impressed by all the young people who were worshiping God freely, and talking about Him in a personal way. "How familiar they seem to be with God," I thought. When CYA offered a Crossroads Retreat for college students, I went along. My intention was to accompany the other students, and merely observe the proceedings as a non-participant. Continued on page 3
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, An Anniversary Message from our National Director
(jreetings from 'Your cYfll.StafJ!
"Let Your Church."
So goes our "Prayer for a N Evangelization", which we have nicknamed the "Mission Petition". Indeed, as we have heard on differehf occasions, we're living in exciting times -- spiritually speaking. Yes, we should be thankful to the Lord for allowing us to be born into this generati<?n.A period in history in which the forces of evil seem to be working double time to snatch away countless souls from the loving hands of God. But it is also a time of spiritual renewal. God. is pouring out His grace on His people' ih an unprecedented manner. Evangelization activities are taking place left and right. We heal" of many inspiring conversion stories and personal testimonies. Christ is toucbing people's lives in a remarkable way today. Where there is sin, grace abounds even more (Romans 5:20). We're living in the midst of an intensified struggle for the he8:rts and minds of men and women, It is in this context that we want to express our gratitude to the Lorn. For "calling us out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter;?: 9), and allowing us to experience a personal friendship with Him. FQr calling all of us to join Him in winning many other people to His Kingdom. It is a great honor to be part of His army.
Serving ... from page
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included prayer meetings, relational evangelization, evangelistic retreats, follow-up in small groups, and so forth. These lectures were matched with practical activities. An exposure trip to Ateneo, Miriam College and the University of the Philippines gave the delegates a "feel" for campus life, and a taste of some of our CYA activities. On another day, the participants joined about 50 CYA members in a prayer meeting, complete with all-out praise and worship, a couple of student sharings, and an inspirational message by Michael Keating. The delegates, including the three bishops present, were visibly impressed with the proceedings. Bishop Anthony Lobo of Pakistan, Chairman of the FABC-OESC,
As we celebrate our 14th Anniversary, lees make a firmer {!!Solve to be faithful to Jesus Christ. And let us pray that Christ's Youth in Action may continue to help build up the Church. Cheers to everybody!
The CYA team hard at work in preparing for the colloqium.
Three of the main organizers: (from left) Fr. Vicente Cajilig, O.P.; Bishop Ant/wily Lobo; and Rogel Plata.
remarked that the Colloquium was the best that he has attended, and that coming from someone who has been to countless other conferences! Besides the sessions, the Colloquium afforded numerous opportunities to form friendships and vital contacts among the delegates. As a direct result, CYA has been invited to send a Mission Team (to be headed by Rogel) to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this December to conduct some youth rallies. Fr. Vicente Cajilig, O.P., Executive Secretary of the FABC-OESC and "prime mover" of the Colloquium, expressed his gratitude to us in a simple letter: "Please accept our appreciation for the help you rendered for the Church of Asia. The delegates...will always remember your kindness and hospitality."
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. ( CY A-Zamboanga Storms Basilan At the CYA training conference held last summer in Cagayan de Oro, one of the CYA-Zamboanga brothers remarked, "If it's God's will, we will storm Basilan." Apparently the Lord took the group to their word. Here is a report from Joevic Climaco: "Last September 17-18, a mission team went to Isabela, Basilan province, to give a Crossroads Retreat. It was held at the Basilan Formation Center with 24 participants. "The flow of the retreat went smoothly. One handicapped participant said the invitation came right in time when he needed to take a break and look more closely at his spiritual life. Another participant, who was a recent victim of the Abu Sayyaf, shared that God made her forgive her captors, and her faith in Him was strengthened even more. "The mission trip was worth it. The team even had lunch with Bishop Romulo dela Cruz. Who knows? CYA might start our next outreach there!"
WYD '95 Thematic Events CYA has been tapped by the World Youth Day organizers to host six (6)
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simultaneous "Days of Renewal" in January. These evangelistic events will be held in six different locations in Metro Manila, and are meant to spiritually enrich the WYD delegates. About a million young people are expected to gather for the Holy Father's visit. Fr. John Morota, who is
YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE POPE. TOGETHER. X WORLD
YOUTH DAY
Manila. January
10-15, 1995
overseeing the Youth Events as a whole, is very supportive of CYA's contribution. The challenge, of course, is in organizing six different teams to serve in those simultaneous events. Fortunately, CYA can count on the generous assistance of our "Partners-in-Mission" such as Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon, Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community, the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen
When Something Is Missing ...from page Little did I know that was not God's plan at all. In the middle of the retreat, we were all invited to personally make a freewill offering of our lives to God. I found myself standing up to make my adult commitment to Christ that night. There was no flash of lightning, no clashing cymbals. In a simple act of
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surrendering myself to God, and availing of the grace that was being offered to me at that time, I became a changed person. In the days following the retreat, I noticed that I was more peaceful, more joyful, for no other reason than that I knew God in a way that I did not know Him before. He loved me, He was for
and Professionals, FAMILIA, and the Light of Jesus Community.
Comings and Goings A hearty welcome to Mike Munarriz who returned from the U.S. last October 5. Mike spent more than a year in Ann Arbor, Michigan with the brothers of The Servants of the Word, a lay brotherhood of celibate men. Although his discernment is toward marriage, Mike will continue to work for a while longer in CYA, especially in preparing for WYD. Similar to Mike's time of formation in the U.S., Leo Banog will be in Ann Arbor for at least a year. The brothers of Don Bosco Mandaluyong will surely miss him. Hurry back, Leo!
Corporate Sponsors Group '94 A number of prestigious companies have signed on as CYA's corporate sponsors for the year 1994. These corporate "partners in mission" underwrite many of our projects and programs, ensuring a steady financial base for our work. These companies are: S.M. Lazo Clinic; PHINMA Group of Companies; and Del Monte Philippines.
me, and He'would always be with .me. Such simple truths, things I had known before in my mind and which I now firmly believe in my heart. All my life I had been searching for that "something" that could satisfy my soul. Now I know it wasn't something, but Someone. Like Mary, I have found the good portion, the one thing necessary which shall not be taken a':Nay from me (Luke 10:42).
Being A Friend With A Mission And A Message by Jeanne Therese P. Hilario, CYA Staffer
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(Ed's Note: Nette Hilario was one of CYA's delegates to the recently concluded Pan-Asian . Colloquium of Catholic Chaplains. Here she shares a behind-the-scenes story.) I first met Pratima as we sat together during a meal. She was sent by her diocese to represent the youth of her Indian parish. We quickly became friends because of our similar age. Compared to the other bishops and priests, we were easily the youngest among the delegates! I thought she must have a very important position to be sent to this Colloquium. I asked about her involvement in the Church, especially in youth renewa1. Shyly she admitted that she wasn't really a serious Catholic. In fact, she wondered why God had brought her to the Philippines. Listening to her, I quietly resolved to find an opportunity to tell her about my own experience of God in CYA.
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Let us tell the world of His love The greatest love the world has known Walk every step, every mile, every road And tell the world Tell the world of His love. Excerp: from the 10th World Youth Day Official Theme Song
The week passed quickly. In a day or two, she was leaving. Knowing I might not see her again after she left, I drew her to a corner and 'Ne began to share about our friendship. I asked her if the Lord had told her anything dUring the Colloquium. She said that she felt God wanted her to take Him seriously, that God wanted to take His place in her heart. I then asked her if she wanted this to happen, and without any hesitation, she said yes. And so, right there and then, I prayed with her a simple yet meaningful commitment to the Lord. I sensed that the Lord would continue to use her in India, and I told her so. We were both teary-eyed afterwards, but we were so happy that our friendship was now built upon a common love for Jesus. Today, Pratima and I continue to write to each other. She says she wants to know God more through prayer, and she keeps on talking to her family and friends about her experiences at the Colloquium! I marvel at the wonderful way through which God called her more and more to Himself. Looking back, I realize that I didn't really do much. I just became her friend and sister in Christ, opening my life to 'her, and speaking from my heart about my love for Jesus. The Lord used that to touch. and bring her into His heart of love!
CHRIST'S YOUTH IN ACTION (CYA) is a Catholic movement of young Filipinos dedicated to evangelizing the youth and training leaders for the service of the Church. We serve colleges, universities, parishes, and renewal groups In the Philippinesand other parts of Asia. AFFILIATES. Ateneo de Manila University. CYA-Cagayan de Oro City. CYA-lligan City. CYA-Zamboanga City. Don Bosco Technical College. Far Eastern University. Holy Angel University (Angeles City). Mapua Institute of Technology. Miriam College. Polytechnic University of the Philippines. st. Paul College (Quezon City). st. Scholastica's College. University of Santo Tomas. University of the Philippines. ASSOCIATES. Araneta University. Assumption College (Makati). CYA-Bacolod City. CYA-Baguio City. CYA-Bukidnon. CYA-Cebu City. CYA-Davao City. CYA-General Santos City. CYA-lloilo City. CYA-Laoag. CYA-San Pablo City. CYA-SOLV (De La Salle University). NAME!. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Rizal Technological Colleges. San Beda College. San Juan de Dios College. St. Paul University (Tuguegarao). UP-Law School. UP-Manila. . ASSISTED GROUPS. Alleluia Community (UP-Los Banos). Angeles University FOUndation. Arellano University. Batangas Lyceum. Concordia College. CYA-Basilan.CYA-DagupanCity. CYA-Dumaguete City. CYA-La Union. CYA-Legazpi City. CYA'-Los Angeles (USA). CYA-Naga City. CYA-Nueva Vizcaya. CYA-Samar. CYA-Tagbilarari. East Asia Institute of Computer Technology. Emilio Aguinaldo College. La Salle (Lipa City). Nativity Youth Ministry (Singapore). Notre Dame University (Cotabato City). PALS-BC13P Alabang Youth. Sower's Field (Cagayan de Oro City). St. John's Parish Youth Group (Brunei). st. Paul College (Manila). UERM. YAFC-Manila. YMPACT. CYA is a "Partner in Mission" with the following communities and renewal movements: Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community. Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals. Familia. Institute for Pastoral Development. The Light of Jesus Community. Lumen Christi. The Servants of the Word. Tahanan ng Panginoon. Women for Christ. Word of Joy Foundation. All donations to CYA are tax-deductible. Please forward all correspondence to our Office at 300 P. Guevarra St., San Juan, Metro Manila. Telephone number: 708-095. Fax: 793-507.