austraLasia #2151

Communicating the Word of God to the e-Generation:
FIN Catechetics-Youth Ministry Conference draws a thousands participants

MAKATI-MANILA: 19th May 2008 -- The Fourth John Paul II Catechetics-Youth Ministry Conference, held at the Don Bosco Technical College, Makati, from 14-16 May, drew in excess of a thousand participants from all over the Philippines and from neighbouring Asian countries including China and Pakistan.  The team which put the Conference together was headed by Fr Rene Guzman SDB, and included a number of Salesians amongst the keynote speakers. The program and event was fully backed by the Philippines Episcopal Commissions for Youth, and Catechetics & Education. The Archbishop of Manila, his Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, was the principal celebrant for the concluding Mass on the Friday.
    The Conference theme was 'Communicating the Word of God to the e-generation'. The Scripture text for the theme was Mark 5:25-34, the same text which Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini had used as a focus for his 'Hem of the Garment' (Il Lembo del Mantello, in his original text) pastoral program for the Milan Archiocese 1991-92. In that famous pastoral letter, the Cardinal had developed, amongst other things, a 'dialogue with the TV'. The Manila Conference explored similar themes as Fr Marty Macasset, Bishop Pablo David, and Fr Armand Robleza led participants through topics such as: Getting to know the e-generation, the Word of God in the e-culture, and E-vangelizing the e-generation on the e-culture.
    Some 40 simultaneous workshops were conducted in afternoon sessions during the conference, in areas of youth ministry, catechetics and spirituality. One of the workshops focused on Salesian pedagogy and spirituality. Evening activities were of a recreational or para-liturgical nature and included a Taize prayer prepared by the National Secretariate for Youth Apostolate, a Catechists and Youth Ministers' Night Program, and a Floral Presentation to Mary, along with a simple conference dinner.  Filipino religious artist Mr Joey Velasco had a number of paintings on display including his well-known  "Hapag ng Pag-asa" (Table of love), depicting street children gathered around the Lord at the Last Supper, along with a sequel to that painting.  The Communio et Missio Formation Institute also had an exhibit, along with several Religious Publishers including Word and Life Publications, Makati.
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Title: australasia 2151
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces FIN Catechetics, Youth Ministry Conference
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2151