By Mary Angela Cabigas

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Cebu City 21 April 2024 -- Twenty representatives from the different chapels and youth cells within the parish met together in the parish building for the first assembly of BEC Youth. This thrust in reaching out to young people beyond the SYM Clubs is a fruit of reflection on Pope Francis' call to go to the peripheries. This assembly assembly was aimed at starting a solid youth ministry among the Basic Ecclesial Communities of the chapels. Fr. Jhun Paradiang, SDB, the parish priest, welcomed the representatives.

As a backgrounder, Lourdes Parish already has a vibrant youth ministry in the youth center, mostly involving members of the youth groups and sodalities of the Salesian Youth Movement, youth recipients of the parish's sponsorship program, and children gathered by the FMA sisters for a Sunday oratory. This time, however, the parish wishes to strengthen its youth ministry in places where the young are and live - the BECs. This presents a rethinking of youth ministry in Salesian parishes and a new way of bringing the Salesian Mission closer to the young.

The meeting explained the roadmap for the BEC Youth Ministry to the youth representatives. They were asked to elect coordinators for their individual chapels and to propose a regular rhythm of life of being a youth BEC. Common and regular activities proposed were Bible and faith sharing, but also chapel and community services by youth. They were also assured of their connection and support of the other parts and groups of the parish.

The assembly concluded with a celebration of the Sunday mass with the people and a fellowship in shared snacks. With this new ministry, the Salesian mission continues to move forward in its task of educating and evangelizing in new ways.

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