3435 Celebrating the Mystery, Professing the Faith
austraLasia #3435

 

FIN: Celebrating the Mystery, Professing the Faith
Annual JP II Conference
MAKATI: 17 May 2014 -- The annual John Paul II Catechetics and Youth Ministry Conference (JP2CYMC) began 14 May with a Mass at which Rev. Fr. Etienne Veto of the Chemin Newuf Community, presided. The event concluded on May 16.

Fr. Etienne, who was fortunate to have worked with John Paul II, waxed nostalgic in his homily—as he recalled his firsthand encounter of the then Pope who is now a Saint—and shared three reasons why he thought that St John Paul II is ‘Great:’ (1) an intimate relationship with God; (2) Great love for everyone (3) Faithfulness till the end.

He recalled how John Paul II considered resigning from the leadership owing to his debilitating health conditions and yet, he carried out the ministry up to his last breath.

The plenary talk which was anchored on the theme “Celebrating the Mystery, Professing the Faith”was delivered by Dr. Jo Manabat, herself a catechist and dean of Graduate School of Liturgy of the Benedictine school San Beda College. She led the participants of the conference to look back into the achievements of the Vatican II document on Sacred Liturgy (Sacro Sanctum Concilium), which marked its 50th year last year.   

A quick look back to the beginnings of the Conference
Now completing its first decade, JP II CYMC looks back with gratitude to God to its humble beginning in the office of the Institute of Catechetics and Youth Ministry at Don Bosco Center of Studies in Paranaque. It took off with a dream to offer continuing formation to catechists and youth ministers so that they could do more effective catechesis and youth ministry to children and youth.

Its birth, however, took place in May 2005 inside the premises of Don Bosco Technical Institute Makati that has become its home since then.

This year is a double celebration for the organizers and volunteers of the JP2CYMC since John Paul II, the patron of the conference was canonized a saint. 

Choosing him to be the patron of the conference was accidental but providential. His death in April 2005 became a sign for the organizers to dedicate the conference—nameless at that time—to join him, John Paul II, for his special love for the youth, their catechists and youth ministers. With his canonization last April 27, St John Paul II is truly the patron of the Conference and will serve as inspiration, a model and example to follow.