DUIYM Animators Group

g Diocese of Urdaneta Animators Group during the Christ the King Youth Camp 2012 at St. Philomena's Academy, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan

My life in the Youth Ministry

“The sun will till shine will shine after the darkness of the night.” A phrase that made me a better one today. A phrase that aroused my desire to serve Him with all my heart. I always start my day before not even with a prayer and with just a sigh before sleep. I live before being just an ordinary youth and I don’t regret being a Minister today because it changed me from that unfaithful life into a more spiritual natural life.

I was then in my 4^th year of my high school life when my teacher required us to submit a Mass Attendance in my Values Education subject. I don’t know what am I going to do then, I am not a regular Mass goer before. I could easily get bored in the mass. During homilies I used to go out of the church and eat outside and will go back when the priest is done with his homily. I don’t know then what is the mass for? I don’t know why I should attend the mass? Because I grew up knowing that simple PRAYER is enough. Until such time that I learned how to appreciate what is the priest saying in front. I was in my 1^st year of my college life when they’ve told me that the teacher who required us to submit that Mass Attendance is dead. I couldn’t believe that the one who taught me how to appreciate things in the church is gone. The one that taught us to pray and to have stronger faith. I was in the church then, I just uttered simple prayer for her that she may rest in peace.

I continued being involved in church activities until I met the Youth Ministers of the Church. I don’t know what is that Youth Ministry is all about. All I know is they are the one who dances in church and sings for the church. I joined the Youth Ministry. I was invited for Youth Encounter. “What is that Youth Encounter?” I asked my friend. He just told me “Come and see”. It started then my life as a Minister.

It was then that I have experienced how to mingle with other people. I am a loner before because I don’t know how to socialize. I opened my eyes knowing that few friends are enough, but the Ministry showed me the light of being a youth for everyone. It trained me to be a better person. “Madami akong natututunan sa Ministry”, that’s what I can say. Even in darkest part of my life, I would still smile because I know I have these friends that would listen to me and I can lean on. Mahirap humanap ng mga kaibigang katulad nila, mga kaibigang handang ibigay ang oras sa iyo. Mga oras na sila sana’y nasa kanilang mga tahanan ngunit pipiliin nilang puntahan ka at makinig sayo. I can’t help not to cry while I’m writing this. It is worth it to spend my time with them, than being at home listening to my parent’s words which are always against me. The Ministry knows I’m doing well but my parents are not. What can you feel if you’re in my position? Naranasan ko na rin ang pagbawalang pumunta sa simbahan, ngunit kahit anong sabihin nila, gagawa at gagawa pa rin ako ng paraan para makapunta ng simbahan. I am so lucky that my fellow youths could understand me. Thanks to them!

Sa Ministry ko rin naransan umibig, masaktan at iba pa. There are lots of experiences that are truly extra ordinary. Yung uuwi ka na nang gabi dahil overtime sa practice at pagdating sa bahay ay may napakahabang sermon na paulit-ulit ko nang naririnig simula ng pumasok ako sa Ministry. No matter how hard to explain to them, it always ends up with a simple prayer- “sana maintindihan din nila ako balang araw…” I started to be an Animator during Youth Camps, it is so happy to serve our fellow youth. I am so happy to impart anything that I know for them to be a better God’s servant. I know, lahat ng Ministers nakakaranas ng hindi pagkakaintindihan sa mga magulang, but never give up. Have faith and pray. That’s what I always do. It’s so powerful. Believe me.