Last April 28 to April 30, 5th KaDA Youth Leaders Exchange (KYLE) was held at our parish, Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu. When my coordinator, Sis. Lia Salamat, asked me to participate for this event, I was on point, never hesitated to grab this opportunity. I promised God that I would take all the formation programs of MYA (Ministry for Youth Affairs) this year as my form of sacrifice and thanksgiving for all His blessings and as a sign of my dedication to serve Him.
Something came up, though, and broke my schedule. My Community Organizing class in school would interfere the 3-day leadership exchange. I would be deployed in Tondo, Manila and would immerse there for a month. I was upset when I realized I won’t be able to take part on the KYLE. It was supposed to be my first time. I told my coordinator about it, and told me it was okay, she would just find someone to take over my slot.
Then there came a miracle I did not expect. I knew it was God! I was already on field but I was sent back home exactly on those three free days; April 28-30. I could not believe that because we were oriented from the start that we weren’t allowed to go home during the immersion. But luckily, no, miraculously, God worked it out and made these days a holiday so we could have a break.
I was so excited I immediately told Ate Lia about this and my mother also. I was hesitant my mother would allow me because I just got back from field. I also felt mentally unprepared because my mind was still on shock from the immersion. But I felt God talking to me, so I fixed my things and woke up the following morning early and ready.
There were the three of us, Matthew Cabal, Tom Guiller and I, sent as potential leaders. We arrived on the first day of KYLE 7 in the morning at Sta. Cecilla Parish, just one jeepney away from our parish. We registered and got our KYLE Kit, where all our notes and materials to be used within the three days were put. We were both nervous and excited but we opened ourselves and allowed the Holy Spirit to freely work within us.
The opening mass started 10AM, headed by Fr. Alan V. Oresca. He shared his vocation journey, how he responded to the call to be a priest, and now on his 10th year in service. After the mass was the billeting of the delegates to the foster families. I was nervous because I was the only one to be fostered alone but I was excited as well because I knew this experience would be different from the rest. I knew God was doing me a favor.
Joanna Acejo, a petite young lady showed up as my foster “sister”. She led the way to her home. It was a two-floored house and her father has a junkshop. We ordered food on the karinderya beside their house to have lunch together. Then we headed to the next venue, my parish, Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu.
With the theme “Youth Ministers: The Radical Disciples. Equip. Encounter. Empower, Rev. Fr. Joel Jason started the first plenary session. He gave us the 10 Principles of Pope Francis. The best one that struck my heart is, “Do something that hurts.” I think it is not genuine giving when you give something just because you don’t like it, or it doesn’t mean much for you, or just not too important for you. It’s because giving entails sacrifice. It has to hurt a little.
After the talk, the next activity was “getting to know.” I met so many people and revealed bits and pieces of me in each of them. It was fun and crazy because you could not remember all their names all at once and you were timed while explaining yourself.
On the second day, the second plenary session was led by Bro. Loreto San Juan. He was fun to listen to, had a lot of jokes and gave his lesson in simple pin points. It was about leadership, and I remembered him saying that your main reason in serving should always be for the love of Jesus.
The following activity were two consecutive workshops, also simultaneous. Delegates were sent on different workshops and topics. On my first workshop, I was sent to Animation. It was funny because I don’t even dance. But I think God was telling me something because it also comes with Public Speaking. They were teaching us about handling people and properly delivering your message to the youth (audience). My second workshop was about Taize, which I think was really suited for me. I have learned both spiritual and technical aspect of performing a Taize. After the workshop, everyone was sent back to the auditorium to perform fellowship and Taize.
On the third day, the plenary session was about “Pastoring the Youth today,” and the speaker was Bro. Bobby Quitain. He shared the story of his faith and told us that there would always be a “game changer” in life, something like your turning point. He said that it should always be Jesus.
For the last session, our positions were called and we were sent into different rooms. I was assigned as potential youth leader. They explained to us our duties, and then an open forum was held as the closing of sessions.
We attended mass with Bishop Francisco M. De Leon with our foster families. I was sitting on the choir section because Avant Garde was asked to sing for the closing mass. I cried a little as I said goodbye to my foster sister. She really did become my sister for two nights. I knew it was God’s work because I have always been longing for my sister in Australia to come home. God has worked so many miracles within those days and I have not failed to see them. I always know God talks to me in every person I meet and in everything I do, and God paved the way for me to embrace His presence in this KYLE experience. (Dahryl Imari Yuson)
