Members of various Parish and Subparish youth organizations participated in the first Parish Youth Camp last May 17 and 18, 2010 at Morong, Bataan. The Parish Youth Camp was conducted by the Parish Commission on Youth under the guidance and support of Rev. Fr. Benito B. Justiniano as part of the commission's formation program for the parish youth.
With the theme "Bokasyon sa Bakasyon. Today's Youth-Servant Leaders of Tomorrow," the Parish Youth Camp aimed to enlighten the parish youth on the different types of vocation they could take on for themselves, most especially the priestly vocation. But most importantly, it sought to explain how they could serve the Church with the path they intend to choose.
Bro. Kent Andrew E. Apeña, a seminarian of the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary, was invited as guest speaker. Bro. Kent discussed the importance of knowing one's identity, emphasizing the need for assessing one's strengths and limitations. He also explained what the youth should do when facing life's crossroads, sharing his own experience as a seminarian. He concluded his series of lectures the following day by presenting means how the youth can start becoming the servant leaders of tomorrow in their own little ways.
In between lectures the participants took part in various group activities, which allowed them to apply what they have learned in the previous lecture. In the first activity, participants were asked to write something about themselves. Afterwards, they were told to attach the same piece of paper on their backs and ask other participants to write on the other side. In the second activity, participants formed groups and were requested to bring an object they consider to be very important. Then they were provided a puzzle piece and they were told that they have to give up the things they brought in exchange for more pieces of the puzzle in order for them to complete it. The things they gave up were kept until noon the following day. Most groups completed their respective puzzles and they were rewarded by allowing them to redeem one item for their group. While the participants considered this to be a very difficult exercise, this taught them a valuable lesson in making sacrifices to reach a common goal.
At first glance, the Parish Youth Camp might seem to be a mere summer activity. However, this actually was a step closer in realizing the potential of today's youth as future servant leaders of the Church, one that would need prayers and support.
