Ali, Storya Ta! (An Archdiocesan Youth Leaders’ Conference)

In preparation for the Year of the Youth 2019 and to solicit data needed for the making of the Action Plan for the next year, the Davao Archdiocesan Youth Coordinating Apostolate (DAYCA) gathered the Youth Servant Leaders from the different parishes, schools and youth groups of the Archdiocese for a conference entitled, “ALI, STORYA TA! (AN ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH SERVANT LEADERS’ CONFERENCE)” and discussed about the arising concerns, needs and issues of today’s youth last June 23, 2018 at 8/F, Xavier Hall Training Room, Ateneo De Davao University, Roxas Avenue, Davao City.

Each parish has 3 representatives composed of their Parish Youth Coordinator and 2 other youth recommended by their parish priests and PYCs for a total of 113 attendees in which all vicariates were represented. To bless and make the conference more meaningful, it was started with a Holy Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption, Ateneo De Davao University Chapel presided by Rev. Fr. Ronel M. Fulo, Jr. SSS and concelebrated by the Newly Appointed DAYCA Director, Rev. Fr. Christopher Alcayde.

On the other hand, the content of the conference was fueled by the questions from the survey given by the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY) where it was modified by the Education Ministry of DAYCA to make it more befitting in the context of the Archdiocese. Each of the vicariates brainstormed and came up with an answer about, (1) What are the youth of today in their community? (Qualities/ Attitudes, Values, and Hobbies), (2) What are their hopes and dreams for the youth?, (3) What are the concerns/issues of the youth of today in their community and (4) What are possible solutions about this?

With the help of the facilitators, Mr. Rowell Aseneta (Founder of the Transforming Lives Davao), Janice Camañan (both authors of the MSPC #BuenViaje Youth Formation Module and Ateneo Teachers at the same time) and Bro. Caryl Yntong, Seminarian of San Jose Major Seminary, the conference hit the goal and turn up with (8) dreams for the youth which will serve as a guide now for the Action Plan 2019 with the present pressing issues given. These data will be synthesized by the DAYCA Core Group together with Rev. Fr. Alcayde who emphasized that “things may seem difficult but it will be easier because we will journey together with the help of our Lord”. Meanwhile, a short open forum was unlocked to accommodate some concerns of the Youth Ministry in the Parish level which was then acknowledged by Ryan Jay Salaum (DAYCA, Coordinator) and Mary Ann Almeria (DAYCA, Youth Leader).

The conference will not also be made possible if not for the Theology Department headed by Mr. Lunar Fayloga of Ateneo De Davao University, who was the partner department of the event and who fixed all the reservations and materials used. In the end, the conference was ended by praise and thanksgiving through a humble fervent prayer. (Jonalen Asares, DAYCA Education Committee | Photos by Gie Rhea Jadulco)