Fr. Marc Will Lim, SDB and Ms. Madz Nayve
Paranaque City, Philippines. “Paradigm shift.” These two words provide a good framework to understand fully the recently concluded summit entitled, “Tiwala Lang! Youth: Missionaries of Communion to their Families.” The event was held last January 18, 2020, at the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, Paranaque City. It was organized by the Parish Animation Sector in cooperation with the Family Ministry. Fr. Marc Will R. Lim, SDB, and Mr. John Villafania, Family Ministry Member for Schools and Youth emceed the whole-day program. Four speakers took the floor: Mr. Erick Sanchez, Mr. Gary Faustino, Mr. Nony Amous, and Ms. Lee-an Rosal with Fr. Ian Rosal, SDB. They presented the young people as missionaries of communion to their families from the sociological, psychological, theological, and pastoral perspectives. Fr. Armand Robleza, SDB, gave a synthesis of all the talks before the afternoon workshop that was facilitated by Ms. Vivien Reyes.
The summit assembled together Salesians, parish workers, school administrators, lay volunteers, and young people from the different settings of the Salesian Philippine North Province. It moved toward three objectives: 1. To acknowledge that the youth are missionaries of communion to their families; 2. To be enthusiastic about how the youth build communion with their families; and 3. To engage and build networks of collaboration because of this mission.
Tiwala lang! Change is inevitable.
Fr. Abel de Ocampo, SDB, Family Ministry Chairperson, opened the event, emphasizing that there would be no effective youth ministry without family ministry. For many, this meant a leap of faith in front of inevitable change.
The first speaker, Mr. Erick Sanchez, a theology professor and radio broadcaster, situated everyone in the common context of the present situation of our young people. Talking on “Youth Today Challenged by the Disconnected World,” he centered on the apparent connectedness brought upon by the Internet and its opposite in reality.
The second speaker, Mr. Faustino, a counselor in a renowned university, discussed a recent study of the three main concerns of young people today, namely: identity, relationships, and purpose. His talk revolved around parenting after the image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, as described in the Gospel of St. John. He also identified the many dysfunctionalities of the parenting nowadays, in particular, the so-called “helicopter parenting.” Finally, he suggested particular protocols when dealing with the young, emphasizing the importance of listening, recognizing, accepting, and entrusting.
The third speaker, Mr. Nony Amous, handled the doctrinal explanation of the theology of the family, and showed how God himself underwent the particular state of the family. He started off with a brief explanation of the theology of the incarnation, connecting it with marriage, which he described as “embryonic of God’s presence.” He also cited the recent excavations by the Nazareth Archeological Society, which revealed that the house of the Holy Family was actually a courtyard house. Hence, the importance of communion, and the outstanding obedience of Jesus to his parents who formed him for his future mission.
The fourth speaker, Ms. Lee-an Rosal, was joined by his cousin Fr. Ian Rosal, SDB. The tandem gave an inspiring real-life testimony of ministry in the family, enriching the summit with their personal experiences.
Yaaaz! We can do it too!
In the afternoon workshop, the participants discussed the morning input in small groups. Guided by the points for reflection, every group came up with resolutions, as if to say: “We can do it too.” From these, a final statement was formulated. It was then presented during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist that was presided over by Fr. Gerardo Martin, FIN Provincial. Here is the final statement of the summit.
TIWALA LANG STATEMENT
We empower the youth to be missionaries of communion in their families.
Thus:
We prioritize family time.
We create open communication.
We nourish our rootedness in God.
We provide formative experiences.
These were the settings present for the summit: Don Bosco-Batulao, National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, Parañaque, St. John Bosco Parish-Makati , St. John Bosco Parish and Center for Young Workers-Sta. Rosa, San Ildefonso Parish-Makati, Mary, Help of Christians, Parish-Mayapa, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish-Naga, St. John Bosco Parish-Tondo, Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati, Don Bosco Academy-Mabalacat, Don Bosco College-Canlubang, Don Bosco Technical Institute-Tarlac, St. Dominic Savio Parish-Mandaluyong. Representatives from the Salesian Sisters and the Commission on Youth Ministry were also present. The members of Peaceworks103 assisted in the logistics.
