BACOLOD City, Nov. 14, 2011?Delegates from five dioceses in the Philippines participated in a youth ministry meeting aimed at helping youth ministers acquired basic skills for a more effective ministry to young people.
The participants formulated a program to “create awareness and understanding of the significance of the youth ministry in the Philippines, to provide a common vision and framework on youth ministry to Filipino youth ministers, to equip ministers with basic skills in helping them respond the needs of young people and to professionalize programs, activities and youth ministers in all settings.”
The conference and activities were held from October 20 to 28 at the CICM Maryshore Bukal ng Tipan Mission Center in Talisay City and Don Bosco Retreat House in Granada, Bacolod City.
Speakers were Bishop Patricio Buzon, of Kabankalan Diocese and member of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Commissioner Earl Saavedra of National Youth Commission, Dr. Rowena Banes of the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, Fr. Jimmy Carmona, SDB, Tinnah de la Rosa of AILM, Jana Dacobar of BUC-MTYC and Vincent Rivera of Gawad Kalinga.
The topics discussed were “Roadmaps and Vision of Filipino Youth”, “The Filipino Youth Profile, Issues and Concerns”, “Youth Ministry in Action”, “Youth Spirituality”, “Youth Formation and Youth Social Action and Leadership”.
The participants had a day of recollection and exposure to different youth settings in MMHC Campus Ministry, San Diego Parish Youth Ministry, CICL/Orphanages and a day of recollection.
The Action Program formulated included youth profiling for future activities and linkages to the different commissions in the participant’s dioceses and the different non-governmental and government organizations. (Annabee Magbanua/Modesto Sa-onoy)
