By Jacinta Fernandez (ASAYO youth minister)
Mar 20 2021
Members of the Malaysian Catholic Youth Ministers’ Committee (MCYMC) met as a family (virtually of course…) for the first time in 2021 to touch base and share on the various initiatives taking place all around the country.
The meeting was held on the second day of March via Zoom and was attended by youth and campus ministers from the arch/dioceses in Malaysia—Keningau, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Malacca-Johore, Miri, Penang, Sandakan and Sibu. The Bishop in-charge of the Episcopal Commission for Youth & Campus Ministry of Malaysia, Archbishop Simon Poh, was also in attendance.
Inspired by Pope Francis, his call to work and journey together, appreciating the rich variety, gratefully accepting the contributions of the various members of our committee, these sharings were a time of learning and discernment as youth ministers where we rediscovered together the many joys, hopes, challenges and opportunities concerning the young people we care for.
“In a word, to create a “home” is to create “a family”. It is to learn to feel connected to others by more than merely utilitarian and practical bonds, to be united in such a way as to feel that our life is a bit more human. To create a home is to let prophecy take flesh and make our hours and days less cold, less indifferent and anonymous. It is to create bonds by simple, everyday acts that all of us can perform. A home, as we all know, demands that everyone work together. No one can be indifferent or stand apart, since each is a stone needed to build the home.”
(Christus Vivit, 217)
Archbishop Simon Poh expressed his gratitude that even in this time, we are still able to continue ministering to young people. He is encouraged by the fact that through this platform, we are able to enrich the work of others by sharing the many discoveries and creative ways used to engage as well as reach out to the young people we care for. He prayed that opportunities for young people to encounter Christ in the sacraments will be more and more available as churches all over the country open in stages.
The sharings highlighted the various events and programmes taking place in the various (arch)dioceses. If you’re curious and eager to know more about these impactful programmes, or maybe you are wondering how you can contribute to these various initiatives, do contact the various youth offices, commissions, apostolates and ministries.
We invite young people who are starting new semesters on campus, or moving to a new place for work to contact your nearest youth office/commission. Better still, follow them on the various social media platforms to discover the many initiatives you may be inspired with and can be part of. – Herald Malaysia
