Launching gimmick
By Douglas Naun
Oct 10 2023
PURAK, Papar – Youths from the three arch/dioceses of Sabah and other faithful from different parts of Sabah came to attend the Eco-Youth Camp in conjunction with the Season of Creation 2023 and PROTEC (Protect Our Earth, Protect Our Children) Campaign Year 4.
It was held at Pace Bene Retreat Centre, Kampung Purak Papar for three days from 22 – 24 Sep 2023.
The theme for Year 4 of the PROTEC Campaign, celebrated from 1 Sep 2020 – 31 Aug 2025 is “Cut Fuel Consumption”. The camp was organised by the Eco- Outreach Team and the Commission for Creation Justice of Kota Kinabalu.
The organizer received overwhelming response from the youth but due to limited spaces of accommodation, only 100 participants were able to register.
Archbishop John Wong presided over the opening Eucharistic Celebration with Msgr Nicholas Stephen, Fr Russel Lawrine, Fr Joshua Liew and Friar Arul as con- celebrants.
In his opening speech, he welcomed all youths to the Eco-Youth Camp although it was not easy for them to sacrifice their time and money to be in the camp, but God has chosen each one of them he said.
He also posed a few questions for them such as what are they looking for, what is their calling, and how do they respond to the calling in the Eco-Youth Camp. It was written in the first letter of Saint Paul to Timothy saying that we must be firm and strong in the true teachings and not to follow false religion, the prelate explained.
He also said that in the book of Genesis God created the whole universe as good and entrusted us as stewards to care for His creation.
Every one of us has a different calling in life but we are all called to holiness to follow Jesus and obey His teachings as what He wants us to be, the prelate said.
In responding to the calling, as what Psalm 49 says, “How happy are the poor in Spirit, theirs is the Kingdom of heaven”, the archbishop said the response is filled with the Holy Spirit.
After the Eucharistic celebration and the launching of Protec Campaign Year 4, fellowship dinner was then held at the dining hall.
During the launching of Eco Youth Camp
