To Listen and be Listened to

About 150 young people from the GKKs within OLLP’s territorial jurisdiction came together for the overnight Youth Camp on January 2 and 3, 2003, at the OLLP Church compound. This meeting’s goal was to learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine affected young people’s lives up to now and to let them know that the church is there to listen to their concerns, as we all know that there are many people who have experienced depression and anxiety.

The youth discussed their life experiences, their feelings, and their coping mechanisms during the quarantine period. Listeners which were from the Formation, Service, and Worship Ministries were given special task. Only when necessary will the Listeners inquire; there was no giving of advice or interjecting, stressing that the information they shared is sacred and will be kept in the strictest confidence.

The youth all shared the same worries about being bored at home during the quarantine and struggling to understand the modules where some of them didn’t have anyone to help them. Financial difficulties were faced by some participants, including where to get money to buy food to survive, mothers having no job, and fathers being quarantined. Broken family issues had a significant impact on their lives and left them yearning for both parents’ love and care. There were issues with children’s ability to achieve high grades and parent expectations.

Each group will select from drama, dance, or symbol (drawing) after the sharing to summarize the things they discussed.

The presentations astounded and overwhelmed the Event’s Organizer and Listeners. What they showed concluded that OLLP has a bright future in terms of servant leadership, as demonstrated by their creativity combined with the gifts, talents, and skills of youth, who will lead in various Ministries and Apostolates.

The evening’s events included confession and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The participants were instructed to write two letters, one of which was to be addressed to God and burned during the evening bonfire. The other letter was for their parents, who were invited to join the morning activity on January 3, 2023, to surprise the kids with their presence. The letter will be read by the children. The parents were asked to simply listen to the letter’s content this time. Youth whose parents were unable to attend due to uncontrollable circumstances were divided into eight groups. Each group was given a Listener to listen on behalf of parents.

Fr. Anggong is preparing them for servanthood. Prior to sending participants to their respective homes, he grouped them into districts and had them clean and restore the designated areas.

Rev. Father Fernando Ingente, Spiritual Director, OLLP-Parish Youth Apostolate and Rev. Father Henry Campeon, DCD, OLLP Parish Priest, extended their sincere gratitude to the parents whose kids participated in this overnight event as well as to the youth who were present for the calling.

Special acknowledgement to the following who made the event a success:

1. Araceli Cabudlan and Ana Norbe who were very active during the planning and implementation phases with the parish priest and spiritual director
2. The PSAM under the direction of Ofelia Bautista, who helped prepare meals for the participants
3. The PSKs of the 25 GKKs who raised funding for the purchase of fish, chicken, spices, a variety of vegetables, and other ingredients for food preparation.
4. Rice, pork meat and other food not mentioned was provided by admin through Fr. Henry Campeon, who was always present during feeding time to ensure that the participants were satisfied and full when they returned to the activity area after eating.
5. The Registration Committee, the PSP under the guidance of Ana Norbe
6. and the Listeners who were assigned a special task to listen during the small group sharing.

(Vinny G. Bajo, OLLP Parish SoCCom | Photo Credits: Rowena B. Villaflor and Jovie Mae Dela Pena, CCRS)