ABU DHABI, Nov. 14, 2012 – Young Pinoys who basically grew up Catholic in Arabia are totally psyched to join a rare Catholic youth event happening tomorrow.
Young Pinoy Catholics have fun during a youth activity in Abu Dhabi.
Young Pinoys from Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE are expected to come in full force to the 2nd Catholic Youth Conference in Arabia (ACYC), 2012 organized by the Apostolic Vicariates of Northern and Southern Arabia.
“I guess it’s really nice to experience being with other youth groups who dare to continue and practice their faith here in the Middle East,” Chinkee Montefrio from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai said of the conference.
Montefrio added, she appreciated the chance to interact with Catholic young people from other Arabian countries, since not many platforms, aside from the World Youth Day, exist for such common activities.
Young Filipinos will not be merely attending, some will be adding their creative flair to the program of the event.
CFC-Youth for Christ UAE National Head Mae Flores and CFC-Youth for Christ Dubai Cluster Head Kevin Montefrio will be emceeing a segment during the conference. CFC-Youth for Christ Abu Dhabi will also be presenting an opening dance number.
Unique challenges to faith
At least 50 young Pinoy expats from Abu Dhabi and Dubai alone will be joining the ACYC this year, which will be held in St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Abu Dhabi from November 15 – 17.
Some 1,500 young Catholics from the Middle east, aged 15- 35 years old, will participate in the conference, which is organized under the auspices of Bishop Camillo Ballin of the Bahrain-based Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia and Bishop Paul Hinder of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia.
According to a Catholic News Agency report, the ACYC’s sessions are meant to address the unique situation and realities young Catholics face in the region.
Aside from discussing topics like faith and apologetics, the conference will also feature a musical concert, “reJOYce”.
The 2nd ACYC will feature speakers like George Gabriel, creative director of Shepherd’s Voice Radio and TV Foundation, Inc., which is based in the Philippines; Matt Frad, a Catholic apologist and speaker from Catholic Answers; Fr. Stan Fortuna, the “Rapping Priest”and Fr Michael Ssenfuma, Youth Director from the Diocese of Masaka, Uganda. [Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz/CBCPNews]
