Speak Camp at Holy Trinity Church, Tawau

The Opening Mass

Tawau : Some 300 youths attended the 'Speak Camp' organized by the Parish Youth Apostolate (PYA) of Holy Trinity Church, Tawau in collaboration with members of the Diocesan Youth Apostolate (DYA)  on 24th - 26th  September 2010 at the HTC Parish Hall.

The purpose of the camp is to gather as many youth as possible, aged  13 years and above, providing them a platform to articulate on the realities, characteristics and challenges of youth  in  the era  of globalization. The participants were students from various schools and colleges, working young adults, married youth,  nurses group, BEC groups and outstations.

Presentation

Deep in prayer

The 3-day camp began with an Opening Mass, presided by Fr Philip Muji, the assistant rector of Holy Trinity Church with a message “the years and age will pass by but maturity is your own choice” and “the beginning of knowledge is the fear of Yahweh, only fools have contempt for wisdom and discipline” taken from Proverbs 1:7, reminding all youth to fear God and that the choice to be influenced or not by the world nowadays is in their hands. 

Group presentation

The next day 25th September, the participants were divided into 23 groups according to age range  for 3 main sessions – Youth Realities, Youth Characteristics and Youth Challenges in life. The sessions included  group sharings and  presentations. 

The social night program with the theme “Glamorous in Black and White” saw the youth wearing their best outfit, presenting their talents and praising and thanking God in Praise and Worship. 

The camp concluded with a dialogue session between the rector Msgr Nicholas Ong and parish leaders with all the participants on the third day, 26th September. The session touched on  issues  regarding Christian faith and the Church as well as formulating effective youth program for the future.

Sr Barbara RGS from the Good Shepherd Sister also shared on the mission of their congregation.

After the close of the said camp, the participants responded to an environmental campaign and activity on 'Effective Micro-organism Mud ball' program organized by the environment committee of HTC at the Parish Hall.

An inspiration for the youth taken from Jeremiah 1:6-10

I said “Ah, Lord Yahweh! I do not know how to speak; I am still young! But Yahweh replied, “Do not say; “I am still young’, for now you will go whatever be the mission I am entrusting to you, and you will speak of whatever I command you to say. Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you – it is Yahweh who speaks!”

Then Yahweh stretched out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See! Today I give you authority over nations and over kingdoms to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

:

Felsa May

Parish Youth Apostolate

Holy Trinity Tawau