National Youth Day 2011 (Diocese of Novaliches)

National Youth Day 2011

by Roy Wilson Villafania

The National Youth Day is a great celebration of faith by Filipino young people coming from different parts of the country. In fact, this year’s national celebration of the NYD became more significant, as this event falls within the CBCP Year of the Youth on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Episcopal Commission on Youth. It is also an echo and a follow-through of the recently concluded 26th World Youth Day in Madrid. This year’s NYD celebration is hosted by the Federation of National Youth Organizations under the auspices of the CBCP-ECY.

The NYD is an event where the Philippine Church expresses, in very concrete ways, her great love for the young. It is an occasion offered for young people to celebrate and deepen their faith, and a special moment of coming together as one body, united in a journey towards intimacy with Christ. It is experiencing faith with other youth with the presence of the National Youth Cross and the bishops and priests which made it more significant and meaningful.

The activities within the festival sites were centered on the theme: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith,” which is the same theme of the recently concluded WYD in Madrid. As this year marks a special celebration, the activities also delved on strengthening the youth ministries and organizations helping them to be sensitive to the realities and signs of our times, and to be more organized, involved and committed in the mission of bringing the Church closer to the youth and the youth closer to the Church. It is not only about encountering Jesus Christ through the various activities, workshops, and the presence of each and everyone but it is more of sharing the message we had received. It is also about effectively sharing the good news to the others by bringing Christ to them through our lives. The Church and the young ministers who were gathered in the NYD Celebration were mindful of the modern-day challenges to evangelization but expressed their commitment in effectively and consistently making Christ known to everyone through their personal lives and the unwavering works of the youth ministries and organizations all over the country.

The Diocesan Commission on Youth of Novaliches was one of those who responded to the Church’s call of participation in this year’s NYD celebration. We had a total of 20 pilgrims coming from 9 different parishes who represented our Diocese to the NYD celebration. The Diocesan delegation was assigned to Claret Festival site wherein we had our activities, plenary sessions and workshops. The boys of the Diocese of Novaliches together with the Diocese of Romblon were placed in the Postulancy House of the Claretian Missionaries just nearby the festival site for the accommodation while the girls were assigned to their respective foster families within the area of Holy Cross Parish, Krus na Ligas.

The Diocesan pilgrims consist of the ff:

Roy Wilson Villafania- Parokya ng Kristong Hari (Assistant Group Leader)

Darwin Lomentigar- Parokya ng Kristong Hari (Group Leader)

John Rey Esmedia- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Jason Esparza- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Maria Cherrie Esparza- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Khim Berce- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Clara Madrid- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Dottie Sison- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Dave Quiseo- San Jose Tagapagtanggol Parish

Eggie Garcia- Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish

Robert Pareja- St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Ronnel Campued- St. Joseph the Worker Parish

Kim Siloue Siaboc- Mary Mother of the Church Parish

Runel Lagrimas- Mary Mother of the Church Parish

Kenny Gonzales- Mary Mother of the Church Parish

Francis Arwin Abreo- Holy Spirit Parish

Eric Estrada- Holy Spirit Parish

Jay Udtohan-Holy Family Parish

Arlene Villamor- Holy Family Parish

Eula Robes- Sta.Cruz Parish

Gladys Amaba- Sagrada Familia Parish

The NYD Celebration in each festival site became more meaningful because the activities for the day were concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with the presence of the Bishops, priests, religious brothers and nuns. In fact, our very own Bishop Antonio Tobias concelebrated in the Opening Mass for NYD at Don Bosco Makati on November 14. He also visited us at Claret Festival Site on the second day. The pilgrims of our diocese made Novaliches and Jesus shine through their vibrant, youthful energies and active participation all throughout the NYD celebration. In fact it is our Diocese who had left a lasting impression at Claret Festival Site because of our vibrant and active participation through our cheer and shout: “NOVALICHES BATTI LE MANI” while waving the white banner. Moreover, most of the volunteers at Claret Festival site are from our Diocese.

The NYD celebration was concluded with the Marian Pilgrimage walk to Cuneta Astrodome where the Final Mass and the Grand Festival Night was held. The Marian pilgrimage walk was spent in prayerful mood as the pilgrims carry their banners and placards with slogans. The Cuneta astrodome was filled with a rainbow of colors representing the festival sites. After the final mass, the program started with the John Paul II Youth Ministry Awards. The night was filled with joy, dancing, singing, and the NYD Tsunami Wave that rocked Cuneta Astrodome. There were also special guests and celebrities such as Makisig Morales and the soul siren Nina. After the grand festival night, the pilgrims went home to their respective accommodations and foster families. A send-off mass or liturgy were held the next morning in each festival sites and host parishes to conclude the NYD celebration.

Nova cheer:

What name? NOVA! What name? NOVA! What name? NOVA!

NOVALICHES BATTI LE MANI! Clap clap clap!!