Launching of the Year of the Youth in OLLP Bangkal

Elleonor Bernasor OLLP Parish Youth Apostolate Coordinator in an interview said, that last December 15-16, the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Youth Apostolate organized the “OLLP Youth Night 2018” in celebration of the local National Youth Day. In line with the Year of the Youth (YOTY), they invited a former Parish Youth Coordinator as a resource speaker to speak about Youth Servant Leadership. The youth in attendance sang praise and worship songs, played team building activities, and formed strong bonds with old and new friends. The program ended with Misa de Gallo at 03:00 a.m. wherein the OLLPYA and their YOTY Cross was blessed by Rev. Fr. Leonie H. España, OLLP parish priest.

Fr. Toto España, in his homily talked about the Year of the Youth which is according to him, part of the preparation of the five hundred years of Christianity in the Philippines in which the Year of the Youth (2019) is one of the Nine Pastoral Priority tasks of the church as the key themes over a nine-year period. According to Fr. España the youth play a very significant and important role in the church for they are the future leaders. The adults are always reminded to guide the youth, to awaken in them the power to be empowered; to help them realize they are needed in the service of the GKK and in the parish.

The YOTY Cross is a reminder of how great is the love of God for the youth. That is why the parish priest mentioned that in every youth meeting the YOTY Cross should be present to inspire them to work for the Church. (Vinny G. Bajo | OLLP SoCCom)