JUNIOR MEMBERS OF VINCENTIAN ORGANIZED ROSARY CAMP

By: Cristine Tan

Holy Trinity Parish Tawau: Some 53 children, aged  10 to 14 years old, from different background and languages, attended an overnight Rosary Camp on the 21st to 22nd  August 2018. 

The program organized by the St Vincent De Paul (SSVP) Junior Team leaders has these objectives in mind: to increase the spiritual growth of its members and to implement the Vision and Mission of the Sandakan Diocese in helping them to become a Christ-Centered Community, serving one another with love. It is their fervent hope that the children involved will experience the importance of living in peace, helping each other joyfully and learning the value of unity in adversity among each other. Through these activities, the children will have a sense of belonging and experience membership of a caring Catholic Church and find a purpose to serve the Church with their gifts and talents in the near future.

All participants registered themselves at 2 in the afternoon on 21st August. The event began with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Msgr. Nicholas Ong. In his short homily, Msgr. Nicholas stressed on the importance of passing our faith to the younger generation. “This was indeed a very beautiful program in such a way that you are implanting the foundation of our faith through prayers, teaching them how to open to God and planting in them the tradition of our faith," he said.

After the Eucharist, everyone helped themselves with a sumptuous dinner followed by all the children happily gathered at the grotto to say the rosary in two languages while petitions echoed throughout their prayers.

It was an encouraging sight to see some Junior members willingly stepped out from their comfort zone by sweeping, and mopping the dormitory, including cleaning the toilets before the camp begins, which for some, were not their usual task at home.

The presence of 10 children from Sin On migrant school also was warmly welcomed. They happily and willingly slept together on the floor over the night with all the children. As expected among the children, taking turns in serving each other was not a struggle at all.

The facilitators then beautifully linked each mystery of the Holy Rosary to the life of Jesus in the Bible to give awareness of how human and how divine is Jesus that we reflect in every bead of the Rosary. Participants were equipped with the simple introduction of each mystery and also a dynamic activity which leads to an easy understanding of the Sorrowful mysteries. It was noted that only a few parents came along to accompany their children to this program.

Towards the closing of the prayer, a human rosary was formed consisting of 53 children for the Hail Mary's and the adults for the remaining prayers.

Most participants acknowledged that they were refreshed and wished that it can be done much longer in the future. On the other hand, the Junior SSVP members gained leadership experience and humility as they took up the responsibilities during the event. The Camp ended at 4 in the afternoon on 22nd August with a group photo and general cleaning of the place.