FIN Synodo 2
Paranaque City, the Philippines, 18 May 2019 -- The Salesians of the Philippines North Province (FIN) and young people from the different Salesian parishes, youth centers, and oratories gathered on 18 May at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Paranaque City for SYNODO 2. This SYNODO 2 is the second of the three SYNODOs that the FIN Province are organizing throughout this 2019 Year of the Youth where the Salesians of Don Bosco and the youth join together in listening to each other and discerning with each other on where God is leading them in renewing Salesian youth ministry in the Province.
If in the first SYNODO last 25 February, the Salesians were with the young people who belong to the Salesian Youth Movement in schools and parishes. In SYNODO 2, the Salesians spent their whole day [from 7:00am to 10:00pm] with around 900 young people active in their respective Salesian parishes, youth centers, and oratories.
The day began with the morning celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Fr. Jay David, SDB, the FIN Vocation Director, was the main celebrant. The Holy Mass was concelebrated by around fifty Salesian priests. In his lively homily, Fr. Jay emphasized that the crown and glory of youth ministry is vocation ministry.
After the morning break, all the participants proceeded to the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco for the Zumba Dance with Ms. Joy Cancio, professional dance choreographer, and for the Amazing Race Challenge at the grounds of the National Shrine.
There was the Booth Fair during the one and a half hour lunch break where some young people of the oratories and youth centers put up their own food booths, game booths, and other variety booths which showcased their local setting’s products like t-shirts, religious items, and other gift items.
At 2:30pm, everybody proceeded to the Shrine’s auditorium for some formative talks. Fr. Ding Cortez, SDB, the Rector of Don Bosco Academy, Mabalacat, Pampanga, gave a Salesianity Formation particularly on the Spirituality of the Oratory. His personal experiences as an oratorian made his formation talk more interesting and inspiring.
Mr. Arun Gogna, of the FEAST MOVEMENT, developed the theme of the Year of the Youth “Beloved, Gifted, Empowered” as he emphasized the beauty of each person as a beloved child of God.
After these formative talks, the participants proceeded to the gymnasium for the group sharing about the inputs given in the formative talks. All the young people present were all asked to write their commitments which they offered one by one in front of the whole assembly.
Everybody enjoyed the early evening with the concert featuring some guest celebrities like acoustic singers Nyoy Volante and Princess Velasco, and violinist Dominique Casacop; together with some local talents from the different participating youth centers and oratories. Everybody was also delighted with the same-day-editing video presentation done by bosconians from DBTC Mandaluyong.
Fr. Ditto Gueco, SDB, the acting FIN Provincial Superior, ended this whole day of encounter among Salesians and the young people of the parishes, youth centers, and oratories with the traditional ‘Good Night Talk’.
