Inspiring Youths to Care for Creation
On 14 May, about 100 youths from the Northern Deanery gathered at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (NBVM) in conjunction with the PDYD 5 that will be held in October 2022. The gathering themed “Care for Creation” was aimed at instilling ecological awareness and conversion in line with Pope Francis’ Laudato Si.
The celebration began with praise and worship followed by icebreakers. The first session on Care for Creation by Magdalene Chiang introduced the youths to the Gospel of creation ( Gen 1,2, 3, Mat 20 and Psalm 148). It was intended to help them to understand what care for creation meant and put their faith in action. The role-play during the session triggered their interest and got them engaged in their subsequent sessions and workshops.
The three workshops held were interactive and introduced them to a number of practical ways to be part of the care for creation. Food waste management by Green Hero gave youth 5 easy ways on preventing food waste and enlightened them on the consequences of food waste. The soap-making workshop for the prison ministry introduced them to the art of making their own bars using natural ingredients and spices and the Eco brick workshop guided them towards making building bricks using recycled bottles and plastics. Both workshops were aimed at creating awareness in reducing the use of plastics and plastic waste.
Crietel Philip , the coordinator for the PDYD 5 hoped that the Deanery level celebration will ignite the spark within the youths to put their faith in action and care for our ailing creation. She explained that there will be a series of Deanery Level celebrations. After this celebration, the Youth cross will move to Perak Deanery and finally to Penang Deanery. She explained that the two icons along with the youth cross are Salus Populi and the image of Pope John Paul II (the founder of the World Youth Celebration). They are a reminder to youths to carry their mission as youths in the “now church” and “church to be”.
Fr Dominic Santhiyagu, who kick-started the PDYD 1 in 2008 with the theme “ Active Youths for Christ” explained that when leadership continues, the mission continues. He spoke to the youth urging them that they are the leaders who need to encourage the disciples with their mission. He said after PDYD 2, he passed on his leadership to Fr. Martin Arlando for PDYD 3 and subsequently to Fr. Simon Anand for PDYD 4 and 5. As such, they too need to identify leaders and nurture them to take over and lead the mission. Without the transition of leadership, the mission will not continue. Fr. Martin who was also the celebrant for the mass congratulated all the youths who have taken the time to be there.
The celebration ended with youths sharing their experience and looking forward to the PDYD 5.
