Diocesan Summer Youth Camp Touches Lives

by Ma. Chona O. Escalona

On April 19-22, 2010, the Diocese of Kalibo celebrates the 10th Diocesan Summer Youth Camp at the Numancia Integrated School, Numancia, Aklan with the theme, "Good Teacher, What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life?" (Mk. 10:17)

Participated by more than 400 youth whose ages range 15 – 39 years from all the municipalities of Aklan, the celebration was such a real inspiration and a great success.

Bound by the following objectives, the summer youth camp aims to gather catholic youth from all parishes of the Diocese of Kalibo; deepen the faith grounded on the Word of God and sacraments; inspire to desire God as the highest good of life and to follow Him to inherit eternal life; and challenge the youth towards commitment on the things the Lord wanted them to do with the present context of their lives around them. The summer youth campers experienced an unforgettable moments with their peers and most of all with the Lord.

Aside from these objectives, no one questioned the inspiring and highly spirited speaker fathers who are Rev. Fr. Mark Randy G. Beluso who talked on "Inheriting Eternal Life: The Channel of Grace", Rev. Fr. Victor Salido on "What Must I Do?", Rev. Fr. Kim Dela Cruz on "Kabataan at Bayan" and Rev. Fr. Glen Magpusao on "Youth Praise and Worship.

With these selected yet meaningful topics given to the youth campers, little by little they came to realize the important role they play in our society, in our community in their respective families, in their peers and on the other hand the will of God to charge them to a new individual – a new hope of our country.

They are also trained not only on their spiritual aspect but on the totality of their being, as well as, to develop leadership, cooperation, unity and brotherhood as they perform the following activities: "Sadsad in honor of the Sto. Niño, the Eternal Youth, Group Presentations, Sports Fest and Jam Na!" What they enjoyed most is the last two activities which developed their love for sports and praising songs.

Truly, the 10th Diocesan Summer Youth Camp changed and touched the lives of the youth who never say "NO" to the invitation of the Lord. Truly, they can answer now the ultimate question, "Lord, we know now what to do to inherit eternal life". /MP