Parish Workers: Media strong threat to Parenting

“For the Church, young people are not only the future of the world but are her present precious treasures,” the Basic Text of the recently-concluded 51st International Eucharistic Congress states on Mission in Dialogue with the Youth.

It explains that “the Church recognizes that she has to deal with young people not only as the adults of tomorrow but, more importantly the reality of today.” The youth at this time of their life are confronted with both external and internal challenges.

They do not only contend with the changes happening within themselves but also with the external present reality that shows massive, exploitative, and grave challenges and obstacles, never before encountered. These are traps that can easily waylay them if left to their own devices.

FLA formator Lilia Bautista of Sto. Niño Parish, Panabo City reveals that the parish has its ways to get the children back to the church through responsible parenthood.

“Parents play a great role in disciplining their children especially in using electronic gadgets. Tagaan unta sa mga ginikanan ug pagtulon-an ang ilang mga anak kabahin sa computer.” “Maskin unsaon man gud pag ingon nga dili mag dula dula, n’ya tungod kay trend naman na run, lupigon gihapon kita sa impluwensya (sa midya),” she added.

The parish, after launching the Year of the Family November 29 last year has intensified its recruitment among the young people especially to various ministries such as Knights of the Altar Servers, Lilies of the Altar, Charismatic movement, among others.

To educate parents, “our seminars are equipped with multi-media such as for the ‘Tawag sa Kaminyoon’ topic in marriage enrichment seminars and Pre-Cana. Naga film showing pud mi about “Abortion” pag February (Pro-Life Month), then nagapadayag mi sa among adbokasiya diha sa radio sa Tagum ug Panabo pinaagi sa Catholic Faith Defenders (CFD),” said Bautista.

Youth volunteer Rusty agrees, saying “Ang mga bata karon nahilig na sa gaming, more on the gadgets na sila or grupo-grupo; n’ya kasagaran gikan sa broken families, mao nang maging creative ang simbahan sa pag attract kanila like sa Flores de Mayo.”

The young people can join other activities such as “being an ‘angel-angel’ sa sugat, player in Rondalla, assistant to Flores de Mayo, or animator. Sa pamilya, tudluan maging responsable sama sa pag lead ug prayer,” he added. Former catechist and mother Jane told Herald that the church need to go with the innovations. “Kung ang kinaraan ang gamiton like sa pagtudlo, usahay makaluya sa kabataan, mao nang gamitan ug twist aron malingaw sila diha sa catechism classes.” As the church opens the Pro-Life Month, evangelizing the parents and their children is an urgent call to be answered. (With report from Nena Quijano)