SOCIAL ACTIONS 2016: REMEMBERING THE FORGOTTEN
“The Church is called to come out of herself and to go to the peripheries, not only geographically, but also the existential peripheries: the mystery of sin, of pain, of injustice, of ignorance and indifference to religion, of intellectual currents, and of all misery.” –Pope Francis
In the morning of April 6, 2016, the 320 participants of Social Action event got up early to visit and help the prisoners in Tagbilaran City Jail and Bohol Provincial Jail. The participants let the prisoners feel that there’s still hope after everything that happened to them, and that Christ’s love for them is unlimited.
Using the same groupings they had on their first day, 9 groups went to the Tagbilaran City Jail while the other half went to Bohol Provincial Jail. The YFCs’ performed for the prisoners and vice versa. There was also a group discussion between the prisoners and the participants.
The guide question for the discussion was,
“Ano ang pinagdadasal mo?”
Most of their answers were the things that they really hope for to happen. At the end of the visit, the participants gave hygiene kits for the prisoners that Unilever sponsored and prayed for the well-being of the prisoners.
After the prison visit, the participants had enough time to practice their group performance for the team building activity that night. Some participants used the time to rest, change their clothes, and to bond with other participants.
The participants were called to the main area to worship and open the evening activity after dinner. After worship, each group performed their chants proudly and with energy.
At that night, the atmosphere of the venue was filled with happiness, love, and friendship. They laughed at each other like it’s the end of the world and talked about small things that make them happy. They cheered and support the other groups as well.
These only proves that YFCs are ready to be and bring Christ wherever they are. They are always ready to share the blessings they have to everyone.
The unlimited blessings that only Christ brings.
SOCIAL ACTIONS 2016: A GREENER NATION FOR A GREENER FUTURE
“Living our vision by putting our faith into action!”
Last April 5, 2016, 320 registered YFCs from all over the world gathered for the 3-day long CFC-YFC’s Social Action, a pre-International Conference Activity. The main purpose of the activity is to take steps, as one community, to make a change in our society in our own little ways.
Their first activity was a cleanup drive in a school. The participants were asked to clean the whole school. It helped the participants to be aware of the environmental issues in the schools here in the Philippines.
The participants were group into 18 groups. 9 groups were assigned to clean the University of Bohol while the other half in City Central High School. They were given garbage bags and brooms to use in doing their tasks. Their mission was to clean the whole school, from the entrance to every classroom. They had the whole morning to complete it.
In the afternoon, they showed the concept of Bayanihan, an ancient Filipino custom that is still alive in our hearts by planting trees together for a greener community.
The participants were group into 18 groups. 9 groups were assigned to clean the University of Bohol while the other half in City Central High School. They were given garbage bags and brooms to use in doing their tasks. Their mission was to clean the whole school, from the entrance to every classroom. They had the whole morning to complete it.
In the afternoon, they showed the concept of Bayanihan, an ancient Filipino custom that is still alive in our hearts by planting trees together for a greener community.
Each group take turns in the said activity. Most of the groups used that moment as a chance to get to know each other and bond while waiting patiently for their turn. In the middle of the activity, it started to rain but that didn’t stop them. They planted happily amidst being wet and cold because of the rain. Some of them even played at it. It didn’t stop them from helping the community to have a better and greener future.
Despite their young age, it didn’t hinder them to be and bring Christ to the communities they had served and touched. They are the kind of young people who are happy in serving God and our nature. They are devoted in becoming God’s instrument to spread His words and take good care of His works.
They are God’s army, to save mother earth, that will create a generation for a greener nation.
