SHALOM, my name is Jonathan George Rayner. I just recently turned 21 years old and I am from the parish of St Patrick Membakut, in the Keningau diocese. As of now, I am an active member of the Catholic Student Group at University Malaysia Sabah.
To be completely honest, during the days leading up to the program, I actually didn’t feel anything. I didn’t feel excited nor happy, but I also didn’t feel nervous or sad due to a lot of things going on in my life at the moment. It wasn’t until the first day of the program where I met my foster parents and siblings that I finally felt the pure excitement that everyone was feeling especially when we sang the opening theme of MCYD. Just the thought of singing it with people that share the same faith and expectations for this program as myself still gives me goosebumps.
Throughout the six short days of MCYD, it was certainly a rollercoaster of emotions, I felt happy, relieved, and thankful to be given the opportunity by God to be surrounded by these wonderful people and experience the program. Sad, regret, and disappointed when reflecting on myself and all the things that I have and have not managed to do.
There were too many moments during the program that I hold close to my heart, but two that touched and made me shed tears was during the Conversation in Spirit session (CIS). Basically, this session involves us to discuss about the four main topics that revolve around our daily lives which are, family, society, church, and ecology.
For me, this was a very much needed and essential activity that makes up the entire program as these topics are often overlooked and underestimated on how much it impacts each and every one of us. I was shocked when I first heard about this and I am quite thankful that we did it. This goes to show that the Church cares for the youth, adding on to the fact that we, youths, are going to be the ones leading the world in the near future so we should all be knowledgeable in issues such as these in order to be able to carry our responsibility as Catholic Youths.
The second time that I felt blessed to experience is definitely throughout my time with my foster family. Parents, siblings, and extended family. They have done so much for my foster siblings and I; they’ve sacrificed their time, energy, money, and comfort for “children” that they do not even share the same flesh and blood with. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
In my honest opinion, the program achieved its objective. It exposed the youths to the ongoing issues and what they should expect when encountering it, and through the CIS, the knowledge on how to tackle them. Other than that, connections were also made which further broadens the network of one’s Catholic friends and acquaintances.
My message to the youths out there, be bold and courageous when doing the Lord’s work. Do not be afraid. Though if you are, ask for help from friends. You are never alone. If presented an opportunity such as I was given to join programs such as this, please don’t take it for granted. Grab it and don’t let go. You have no idea how much it will change your perception towards life. Thank you and God bless each and every one of you.
