DYA Organizes the Third Catholic Campus Student Gathering

By Mazdollyna Majalin Diaz Eborok
Photos by Dadymus Upin and Gregory M. Harumal

Lahad Datu – The Catholic Campus Student Gathering (CCSG) is an annual program organized by the Diocesan Youth Apostolate (DYA), Campus Ministry team. This year, the third CCSG was held  at St. Dominic's  Church, Lahad Datu from 5th to 7th June 2015. Some 18 students, studying in university / college around the Diocese of Sandakan and some YouthPrepLink graduates responded to the call to attend the program. The organizing team invited Dominic Lim from the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu to reveal the best kept secret of the Church to the young people by sharing the Catholic Social Teaching (CST).

On 5th June, the program started with an opening mass presided over by Rev Fr. Marcellinus Pongking, followed by dinner prepared by the Catholic Women's Apostolate (CWA). Next, the session continued with Expectation Check and this is a way to gauge what the participants expect to get from the program. It is also a way to help the speaker to identify the level of understanding of the participants and their needs. 

The second day, 6th June, the program started with Lectio Divina, to refresh our mind and ask for daily blessing from God. The core matter for that day started with an introduction to CST. Dominic Lim explained why the church has her own social teaching. 
"Because all men, as children of God, possess a unique dignity, the Church with her social teaching is committed to defending and promoting this human dignity for all men in the social sphere. She is not trying to preempt the legitimate freedom of politics or of the economy. When human dignity is violated in politics or economic practices, however, the Church must intervene." - Youcat 438

During the whole day session, the speaker also touched on Life and Dignity of a Human Person, Call to Family, Community and Participation, Rights and Responsibilities, The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers and Solidarity. All of the sessions shared and deliberated are pertinent in today's world and we are to play an important role to ensure that everyone is protected as we are all God's creation.

"Then God said, "let us make human kind in our image, according to our likeness... So, God created humankind in his image, in the image of God He created them; male and female he created them" - Genesis 1:26-27

On the last day, everyone started their day with Lectio Divina followed by sharing from the participants. Most of us shared that CST is indeed the best kept secret of the church. Many were first timers hearing CST and it was an eye opener. CST need to be shared not only to the campus students but to all parishioners. 
After the sharing session, the speaker talked on ways to move forward after knowing CST. He suggested that we may apply the "See - Judge - Act" method, asking help from the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and courage; share the CST to other people and apply it in our daily life as individuals. In conclusion, Dominic said that the cross is a symbol of love which keeps us alive.

Revealing the best kept secret was a success and it was very fruitful for all who attended. Through this, it has taught us to be a better person in life as a Catholic and make us want to be more like Jesus.

"Truly I tell you, just as you did to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me" - Matthew 25:40