Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Matti District Digos: We Are Beloved, Gifted and Empowered

When the CBCP dedicated 2019 to the young people, the entire diocese of Digos wasted no time and picked October 28, 2019 as the launching date of the Year of the Youth. A week after that, the Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Matti, former Matti District Catholic Center, launched the Year of the Youth in the parish. From there, they started the implementation of the programs and activities intended for the youths.

A year after celebrating the Youth and acknowledging their roles in the church today, on November 30, 2019 the parish culminates the Year of the Youth. It was started with a “Walk for a Cause”, the people woke up very early in the morning and enthusiastically joined the event. The walk started at 4:30 in the morning. The route was from MPH, Upper Matti, and the rest of the Zone IV back to the parish. Since there are five GKKs in the Zone, there were also five stops made during the entire walk. In every station, was a welcoming presentation each like a dance number, animations and zumba, something to entertain the participants to ease the jaded feeling. Before proceeding also to the next station, there’s a question that they need to reflect while walking to the next station. After the walk, everyone relaxed and rested and also prepared for lunch and next activities.

The next activities included the Team Building. There are five stations in the team building with corresponding title. The youth was grouped by Zones. Before proceeding to the activities prepared for the team building, the youths prepared their cheers and yells. In the activities, teamwork which is the target to improve by the facilitators were already visible to the participants. After each activity, the assigned facilitators explained to the youths what was the purpose of the activity. The relevance of the activity was related on today’s youth common issues. But one word that never removed on each activity and it is Love. At the end, all efforts focused and struggle were paid off cause they were motivated, realized and inspired.

At exactly 3:30 in the afternoon, they had the Holy Eucharist presided by Fr. Christopher Thadeos Ganzon, SM. And since it was Culmination of the Year of the Youth, the youth took everything in the mass. In the homily, Fr. Chris shared his realization with the theme of the Year of the Youth, “Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved, Gifted, Empowered.” He said that it was the symbol of the Holy Trinity. Beloved. We are being loved by God who created us all. Gifted. The greatest gift that we received from our God who loves us all is His only begotten son, Jesus that we can read on John 3:16. Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection were really a big gift for everyone. Empowered. We are being empowered by the Holy Spirit who inspires us all. He also said that the culmination of the year of the youth doesn’t end for the youths to serve but the beginning. He wished that the youths continue to serve God with all of their hearts as a Beloved, Gifted and Empowered.

After the mass, they had the Living Rosary. It was led by 58 youths who recited the 10 Hail Mary per mystery and five persons that recited the five Joyful mysteries and The Lord’s prayer.

After the Living Rosary, they had the dinner. While they were eating, they were entertained by the OLFP Band headed by Mr. Jason Encomienda, parish organist, with the association of Mr. Brendo Dalumpines, YC Tenor Leader, Mrs. Leneth Dalumpines, YC Soprano Leader, Ms. Antonette Albaracin, YC Alto Leader and Mr. Denzel Aquino, YC Mentor, with the accompaniment of Mr. Clark Joshua Abadia, the one who’s in the band and one electric guitarist.

The next activity they had was the Culmination Night, the most awaited part of everyone. This is when the seeds they plant which grows for preparation will produce fruits. It was opened by a Doxology by the Lourdes and a song by Our Lady of Fatima Parish youth Choir. Then, the singing of the National Anthem sung by the Youth Choirs. Next was the very jolly and alive Production Number by the selected Youths from the different Zones. Ms. Rhea Jane Labanon, Parish Youth President, welcomed the attendees of the program and opened the program officially by her words of welcome. Then, the presentations by zones began. First to perform was the Zone I with their energetic and fascinating dance. Second is the Zone II with their yellow-themed clothing and extreme dance performance. Third is of course the Zone III, theirs is different backed their cultural dance and incredible stunts and of course their props and costumes. Before proceeding to the fourth presentor, they listened to an inspirational message from Fr. Patrick Muckian, SM.

Now it is time for the Parish Youth Coordinator, Ms. Sheryl Mae Sucayre to give her message. In her message she also wished that the youths who performed today may not just put an end to their active participation in performing in stage like singing and dancing, but also, they will dedicate their time to serve God and church wholeheartedly.

This time the raffle draw started with the first five. It was sponsored by Tupperware Brands Company Davao Branch headed by Mr. Philip Dinoy. There were twenty persons who received consolation prizes, P4,000 for the first prize, P2,500 for the second prize and P2,000 for the third prize. In between the raffle draws, the program continued.

Next was the Awit ng Tanghalan. It was participated by the chosen participants by zone, one participant by zone. First is of course the male contender from Zone I with his warm song. Next is also a male contender from Zone II with also his super stellar performance, and the very bankable male contender from Zone III who sings shrill, a very soft contender from Zone IV who sings melodiously and last but not the least, a contender from Zone V who sings wildly he also got lots of cheers from the crowd. The presentation by Zone continued with Zone IV with their upbeat modern dance. And lastly, they had their surprise number which is the fire dancing that really surprised the crowd. And last but not the least, an interpretative dance theme from Zone V. At the last of the program, Mr. Roy Babatuan, the Pastoral coordinator of the parish thanked the people who’s behind the success of the event and to those people who made the program possible, and performed his surprise song number. Then Ms. Riza Maroliña, the emcee of the night, led everybody to a closing prayer. And at last, they all danced the NYD Theme Song “Servants of the Lord” as Grand Finale.

When the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines or the CBCP dedicated the 2019 as Year of the Youth, the whole Philippine churches made it special because they put their attention to the Youths because as our national hero said “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”. Because we are fully aware that youth nowadays are so active when it comes to bad vices, and outdoor events but when it comes to church activities, their feet are nailed on their houses’ floor. It is hard to convince them to go to chapel every Saturday morning to attend “kasaulogan” or even to convince them every Sunday to go to church. They are busy clicking on their phones or busy on other stuff.

The CBCP saw it also with their observations. 2019 was the year when the church did a thing to resolve the problem. They made Church outdoor activities, youthful activities like sportsmanship, teamwork and so on just to bring the youths closer to God.

We should not forget that whatever we do, whether good or bad, we are still Beloved, Gifted and Empowered by God for us to continue to serve Him wholeheartedly. (Jeian Camasura | SUGID SocCom)