austraLasia #2924
 
Highlands Regional Youth Gathering at Don Bosco Kumgi

KUMGI (PNG): 1 October 2011 -- The 11th Highlands Regional youth gathering took place at Don Bosco Tech Kumgi from 26 to 30 September 2011. The theme for the gathering was ‘The light of Mary lights up our way’. Over 500 youth from the five dioceses of Kundiawa, Mount Hagen, Wabek, Mendi and Goroka gathered together to celebrate Youth and Culture. These five dioceses belong to six provinces in PNG. They are Simbu, Eastern highlands, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands and the new provinces of Hela and Jiwaka. Once in two years the Highlands Regional Bishops Conference organizes the gathering to rejuvenate the life of young people. So this year Don Bosco Tech, Kumgi, was chosen as the hosting place in Simbu province. The young people arrived early on Sunday to take their place in Don Bosco.
    The youth gathering was inaugurated by Bishop Anton Bal, bishop of Kundiawa Diocese on 26 September. In the opening mass the Bishop challenged the young people to be agents of change in Society. He spoke about the need of transformation and the need to nurture a Christian culture in the life of young people. He wished them an enjoyable spiritual week.
    The youth from different provinces had a cultural show for two days. They sang and danced in various rhythms and tunes and revitalized their sense of culture. One of the young persons in his introduction to the show thanked the missionaries for uplifting the culture of the place. He said that Christianity had entered through the culture: 
    "We see that lots of western traditional practices are creeping in through politicians and people. The Catholic Church is revitalizing the existing culture of the place and that is where we feel at home. This cultural show is the expression of our faith and we thank Pappa God for the creation of nature and all the birds and animals in it".
    Young people never get tired of singing and dancing (traditionally called Waipa). One of the Mammas from the place remarked: “Usually I see old people participating in the traditional cultural show. Now I see all young people participating in it. I am happy that they are learning to do it well. Thank you fathers, brothers, sisters".
    On the second day the young people had health talks on HIV/AIDS by Nurses from Mingende hospital. The nurses explained in Tok-Pisin the danger of this epidemic devastating the lives of young people. The youth had endless questions and clarifications on the issue. While thanking the nurses one of the youth thanked the Catholic Church for giving importance to the gift of life, care and concern for the young and implementing health programs in their dioceses. In the evening of the same day there was the talent contest and entertainment by young people from different dioceses. It was an opportunity to bring out the talents of young people.
    Another attraction of the gathering was the Miss Highlands beauty contest! The theme for the contest was youth, environment and culture. 16 young girls in  traditional dress spoke about the environment and culture. There were no cosmetics or western fashion materials involved; they used natural resources from the environment as ornaments and dress.
    Another attraction of the program was a hot debate on Sanguma (evil spirit) in PNG and the Catholic point of view. The debate was moderated by Fr George Mondia, Deputy Rector of the minor seminary, Banz. In PNG the highlands region is notorious for many sunguma-related deaths and murder cases. It was an opportunity for young people to understand the view of the church from the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
    The liturgical celebrations for all five days were well led by youth from different dioceses. They also had an opportunity for a reconciliation service and many priests from the dioceses were present to help the young people in their spiritual needs.
    On the final day Archbishop Douglas Young from Mount Hagen highlighted the Church’s vision for youth in PNG. He reminded them of the vision-mission statement for the youth which had been prepared by the Catholic Bishops Conference and encouraged them to discover their strength within to walk Christ’s way. In the concluding mass he emphasized the need to build their own lives as a beautiful gift to God and the nation.
    The youth enjoyed the continuous Salesian presence, hospitality and the family spirit. The Salesians and Sisters of Charity were available at all times to make sure the youth enjoy their stay at Don Bosco. Within five days the youth felt they too were 'Bosconians' belonging to the family of Don Bosco and Church.