austraLasia #2492
"Thank you for reminding me why I want to be a Salesian" - comment from a reader on yesterday's article from Vietnam.

Youth on fire
Vunapope, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea

VUNAPOPE (PNG): 5th September 2009:  -- Over 2,500 young people from 18 educational institutions and some 15 parishes and faith communities gathered on 4 September in Vunapope to celebrate a day of faith, fun and friendship dubbed “Youth on Fire”. Organized by the Salesian community of Vunabosco Agro-Technical Secondary School, the day long youth gathering is to fete the 150th anniversary of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
    The day began with youth action songs as the young people were organized into ten color camps consisting of 70 cell groups. A half-hour catechism on Jesus’ commandment on Love was shared by Salesian Sister Pamela Vicina FMA who teaches at the University of Goroka. Fr. Edwin Genovia SDB then led an hour long rosary procession which snaked its way through the Vunapope hills. The recital of the rosary was made more memorable by the newly vested Drum and Lyre troupe, the colorful standards of the cell groups, the coordinated color scarves of the participants and the “picture frame” presentations of the mysteries of the rosary at the four rosary mystery stations. The Auxiliary Bishop of Rabaul, Bishop John Doaninoel SM presided at the Eucharist which was punctuated by traditional and modern dances. The event ended with a youth concert of songs, sounds and skits presented by the various schools and the singing of “Youth serving Youth”.
    The day was actually the climax of a three-month long preparation coordinated by Fr. John Cabrido SDB, the Salesian school’s spiritual moderator.  Catechism modules on Jesus’ teachings on love, justice and peace---the three themes of the rally---were distributed to all the participating institutions and parishes. Bible, catechetical and Don Bosco contest materials were also shared. The youthful participants, whose ages ranged from 15 to 25, were also encouraged to fill in their SALT (Servanthood And Leadership Training) cards which monitored their attendance during the Sunday worship and required a community service. Materials and DVDs on Don Bosco, Dominic Savio, Maria Goretti and the local catechist martyr Blessed Peter To Rot, the Youth on Fire Saints, were also provided.  The Youth on Fire symbols - an elaborately painted cross, icons of Don Bosco and Mary and the Bible - went on a pilgrimage to the various participating schools and parishes since 16 August and arrived in Vunapope for the rally only on 4th September.
    After the activity packed day, Beno Bali, a Grade Nine student mused, “I can’t wait for the next youth rally”. It was a sentiment shared by most since it was the first time that an event of such magnitude had been done locally. Hopefully, the next one will be in 2011, when Don Bosco’s relics arrive in Papua New Guinea. For now, we still have fresh, colorful memories of today.
  _________________
 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there.  Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org

Title: australasia 2492
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces: PNG youth in fire - Vunapope
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2492