A time to gather ~ Diocesan Youth Apostolate

DS / st
photos by Bell and Airene 

TELUPID: Members of the Sandakan Diocesan Youth Apostolate (DYA) came together for the 14th meeting and 9th recollection at Kg. Malapi, Wonod, Telupid on the 6th and 7th July 2013. The team gather once in every three months with the hope to renew, refresh and refill their spiritual life. It is important for every member to nourish one's spiritual life to carry forth the mission entrusted unto them especially in leading youth ministry in their respective parishes. Not only that, members also took the opportunity to celebrate their friendship, serve one another and grow in faith.

Arriving a day earlier at Pusat Pembiakan Payau - Telupid, we woke up early the following day on 6th July. Mass was celebrated at 7.00AM a midst the beautiful nature by Fr. David Garaman, our Spiritual Director. In his homily, he said that the harvest is plentiful but the workers few. We are the chosen one and that Jesus never make a mistake in choosing his disciples. It depends solely on how the disciple live out his / her calling. 

He is the TRUTH

He is our HOPE.

The first session was taken from the Gospel of Mark 8:29, "Who do you say I am?". We often asked this question to the youths, but have we reflected on this ourselves? Who is Jesus personally to us? After watching a video clip, we took time to reflect on the question. After reflecting, we shared to the whole group, who Jesus is to us.

The second session was called, "Why me?" The most popular question asked by everyone in the whole world. We were asked to reflect on our life and the team. It was a fruitful moment for each one. The session ended with a sharing by everyone. The sharing were inspiring and motivating. We are to focus on what we can do and do it well. We should not be tied down with worries on what we can not change. For all things that happened to us, God has a reason.

In the evening, it was time to celebrate what we had gained during the day and once again to celebrate the friendship, a gift from  the grace of God. It was a night filled with love and laughter.

The next day, we started the day with a mass. In Fr. David's homily, he talked about understanding Salvation by reading the bible. Without reading the bible, we will not see the journey how Jesus work in each one He had called. He once again mentioned about "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few". Jesus chooses us to be his workers and Salvation has been given unto us so we can be his hands and feet. He reminded us that, when are back to our respective area, we are going back to the reality and we must always remember that we are His workers in the vineyard. 

Before returning to our respective parishes, the team gathered once again to have their meeting. It was a fruitful meeting with many issues resolved and activities planned at the Diocesan level. The gathering ended at 2.00PM. The next recollection and meeting will be held in October. Till we meet again and God bless you all in your mission.