CYJ 2018: LOVING THE LORD FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Calbayog City: Nazareth Formation House hosted Calabrian Youth Jamboree (CYJ) 2018 last November 9-10 with the theme: “Inside Out: Made in the Heart of God.” This theme was inspired by the biblical passage where the Lord told the Prophet Samuel, “God does not see… the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart” (1Sam 16:7). It was participated by 80 youths coming from different barangay communities.
The event kicked off with a team building activity led by Miss Jonah Salcedo of Starfish Foundation, who later on gave her testimony on faith. It was then followed by the Holy Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Melchizedek de Lara. Later in the evening, the youths got to spend an hour with the Lord in holy adoration as the Sacrament of Reconciliation was being administered. The main theme of the jamboree was then explicated by Miss Diane Sol, a fulltime pastoral worker of Youth for Christ. The night was ended with praise and worship led by the YFC Western Samar Music Ministry.
During the second day, Fr. Melchizedek de Lara gave a talk about the life of our founder, St. John Calabria. Miss Diane Sol also gave another talk centered on the youth and the Church. One of the most exciting parts in the program, was the dialogue with the youth, where the participants were given a chance to raise questions which were addressed by the PSDP Fathers, Miss Diane, Sr. Theresa Gude of FMSC, and one lay pastoral worker of CFC. The whole event was then concluded with the Holy Mass.
The Calabrian Youth Jamboree 2018 might just be a simple way of responding to the call of the Church’s renewal to help young people. But no matter how simple it was, this one is for sure: the participants went home with a smile on their faces and hearts that are ready to even more love the Lord from the inside out!
