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.
