4613(II)_Discerning Youth Ministers: SYNAG 2018

Salesian Youth and Animators’ Gathering (SYNAG)

January 17, 2018

By Ms Jessa Mariel Dela Peña
SYM-FIN Junior Youth Leader

Mabalacat, the Philippines, 15 January 2018 -- “Let your light shine!”— the battle cry of every Salesian Youth and Animators’ Gathering (SYNAG). SYNAG is held twice every academic year. It is a gathering the leaders and animators of the youth groups from all Salesian and affiliated settings. The second SYNAG for SY 2017-2018 was held at Don Bosco Academy in Mabalacat, Pampanga last January 13, 2018. It was attended by 130 leaders and animators from the schools and parishes where the Salesian Youth Movement is present.

The participants of the event were warmly welcomed by the ever-generous and accommodating community of DBA headed by their Rector, Fr. Jose Armando “Ding” Cortez, SDB. Fr. Juvelan Paul Samia, SDB, the SYM-FIN Delegate took the opportunity to announce to the assembly the many exciting activities in store for the Salesian youth.

Fr. Juvelan also encouraged the participants to help in promoting the “Youth Serving Youth: A Bukas Palad Benefit Concert” which the SYM-FIN is preparing. This concert aims to raise funds for the upcoming formation sessions and events.

In a deeply engaging and lively talk, Bro. Miguel Ramirez walked with the participants towards a handy and practical understanding of “discernment.” He invited the young leaders to visualize life's choices as a garden not a forked road and be open to the great adventure God's will has in store for them. The open forum that followed grounded the talk to the context of the participants.

The SYNAG is also a venue for the leaders of the different sodalities to come together to talk about the important matters concerning their youth groups. They were given ample time to share their experiences and their best practices in their settings through their group meetings held after lunch.

Here's a short SDE video of the event by Bjorn Cordova: