"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Will the naughtiest person in this room volunteer to say the opening prayer, please?" asked a very cheeky Roy. What followed was a long, awkward moment of silence with occasional sniggers and embarrassed smiles. Weird looks were also surreptitiously exchanged as everyone tried to keep their faces hidden... Roy finally broke the silence by admitting he was the naughtiest person and said the opening prayer.
Shortly after, those who submitted their SOP were assigned to their preferred area of contribution. Most opted to be facils whilst a few others decided to help out in logistics and admin. (Reminder to those who have not submitted your SOP to do so by 27 March Wednesday! Please email them to the youthcat email add at the sidebar of the blog.) It was rather amusing to hear the many names that were mispelled and mispronounced... :)
Minutes later, facils and year1s without prayer bunnies were made to stand in the centre of the circle we formed and choose their prayer bunny(s). We were then given half an hour to read and reflect on Matthew chapters 3 and 4. The main theme of the readings was evanglism portrayed through John the Baptist and Christ himself.
The day ended with everyone playing a modified version of Blow Wind Blow. Those who didn't scramble and find a candle to stand behind in time were left stranded in the centre of the circle; it was then their turn to shout out another condition. Those who found themselves stranded 3 times would have to perform a forfeit. Daniel, Justin, Simeon, Marianne and Amanda (or Atricia??) were the five lucky ones who incurred the Happy/Sad Dance forfeit. When the dance was completed, Roy instructed everyone to arm themselves with a candle and throw them back into the box which he placed in the center of the circle. Red plastic was bouncing off the floor and soaring across the room, hitting some in the most unlikely places and others in the most unfortunate... Our previleged Neenja target of the day: Amos! Who was so lovingly showered with the entire box of candles, courtesy of Roy. :)
Closing prayer was said and most of us left at 6 but came back later for Movie Night! Which was a blast. Yes and Amen to future crazy sessions and movie nights!
25 March 2007
16 March 2007
Thank you for the IHMYC retreat
The IHMYC retreat on the whole was a really enriching and wonderful experience. Thank you for those who came down to help and participate in this retreat. Many thanks to those who planned the retreat.
But most importantly, we'd like to thank God for making the retreat possible and always being there for us as we journey and grow as Youth Catechists. Everyone had fun and bonded really well together. Just like the theme for the retreat, "I am Called", we hope everyone finds a way to serve in IHMYC and that there will be many more fun and memorable times in the future.
Updates about the camp as well as photos and pictures will be posted up soon...
But most importantly, we'd like to thank God for making the retreat possible and always being there for us as we journey and grow as Youth Catechists. Everyone had fun and bonded really well together. Just like the theme for the retreat, "I am Called", we hope everyone finds a way to serve in IHMYC and that there will be many more fun and memorable times in the future.
Updates about the camp as well as photos and pictures will be posted up soon...
10 March 2007
Session before the camp
Had a session in Mother Mary's room.
Some of them handed in their consent forms and feedback forms regarding the IHMYC sessions were given out and each one had to write down a number indicating whether they liked the way the session was conducted or if it can be improved.
Then after 10 mins for everyone to fill up the feedback form, Daniel gave a briefing about the IHMYC retreat coming up on Tuesday.
Basically it's more of a retreat than a camp since there will not be any games, mostly sessions and prayers for the 3 days.
On Monday evening after mass, it'll be nice if people would like to volunteer to go help mop the place, after attending evening mass.
Report at the Retreat House before 12.30pm.
Bring along the usual camp stuff, blanket or sleeping bag as it'll be really cold there, bible, rosary, jacket and 1 day's worth of newspapers...if you forget to bring that, Justin will make you go buy Newpaper...
After the briefing, everyone was split into 3 teams...given very weird names by Justin. Jac and Justin were the one to come up with phrases and words for them to act out in charades.
Some of the stuff Jac and Justin came up with were pretty interesting...like dancing chicken, jumping harmonica playing crocodile, cow jumps over the cactus, etc.
There was a tie-breaker for the last two groups and the phrase was Jesus stole the cookie from the cookie jar...really interesting as the two chosen people from each group tried to act it out for their team members.
Last group had to say closing prayer and after a few last words from the Exco members, everyone was dismissed.
Some of them handed in their consent forms and feedback forms regarding the IHMYC sessions were given out and each one had to write down a number indicating whether they liked the way the session was conducted or if it can be improved.
Then after 10 mins for everyone to fill up the feedback form, Daniel gave a briefing about the IHMYC retreat coming up on Tuesday.
Basically it's more of a retreat than a camp since there will not be any games, mostly sessions and prayers for the 3 days.
On Monday evening after mass, it'll be nice if people would like to volunteer to go help mop the place, after attending evening mass.
Report at the Retreat House before 12.30pm.
Bring along the usual camp stuff, blanket or sleeping bag as it'll be really cold there, bible, rosary, jacket and 1 day's worth of newspapers...if you forget to bring that, Justin will make you go buy Newpaper...
After the briefing, everyone was split into 3 teams...given very weird names by Justin. Jac and Justin were the one to come up with phrases and words for them to act out in charades.
Some of the stuff Jac and Justin came up with were pretty interesting...like dancing chicken, jumping harmonica playing crocodile, cow jumps over the cactus, etc.
There was a tie-breaker for the last two groups and the phrase was Jesus stole the cookie from the cookie jar...really interesting as the two chosen people from each group tried to act it out for their team members.
Last group had to say closing prayer and after a few last words from the Exco members, everyone was dismissed.
05 March 2007
Apologetics III cont'd
Hey all! Geri's here to post up a few pictures she took during the latest youthcat session.
Daniel's insatiable appetite
Justin, Greg and Melissa doing the Happy Dance!
Justin and Daniel doing the Sad Dance...
Daniel's insatiable appetite
Justin, Greg and Melissa doing the Happy Dance!
Justin and Daniel doing the Sad Dance...
Apologies for inaccurate shot of happy dance... People moving too quickly. Will put up more pictures in time to come. I'd just like to share how much fun I had during the last two sessions I've been to; I'm sure everyone else found them just as fun and educational. I hope this keeps up!
03 March 2007
Apologetics 3
The third and final Apologetics forum style session was conducted. As usual, everyone sat around in a circle and questions were asked and answered.
Firstly, announcements were made.
- Looking for survey youth volunteers on Sat, 10th March, 2pm-4pm.
- Archdiocesan Youth Day - 7 Jul 2007 (Saturday)
- Seder Meal on Maundy Thurs Night
- Consent forms
The session started off with a discussion on free will, predestination and fate. What is free will? Some of the definitions posted were freedom of choice, moral and ethical, not forced, and a few other definitions.
Basically we're free to make our own choices, be it good or bad, but of course if we choose to make bad choices, we'll have to face the consequences.
Also, as we get older, there will be tougher choices to make, such as whether you should inform an adult when your confirmants confide in you their problems. You'll have to discern for yourself what's best for the situation and there's no right or wrong decisions sometimes...have to pray about it and ask God to help/guide you.
Roy also talked about it was important to know what you are passionate about and enjoy doing, for your life will be pretty miserable if you have to do stuff you absolutely detest. Everyone in the circle said out what they were passionate about, literature, sciences, music, sports, art, geography and many more. That way, if you combine work with your hobby, you will look forward to going to work.
Next the topic on obligation was brought up. We all have obligations to God, to work, to family, to friends, to ourselves, etc. sometimes we have so many obligations that we end up fitting God into our schedule rather than putting God first in our lives...for when we put God into our lives, things would seem to fall in place better, but we tend to fit God in whenever we feel it's convenient. God should not be crushed into powder and sprinkled where we can squeeze him in. Roy told a story to illustrate it.
Later, days of obligation were discussed and also the difference between Assumption and Ascension. Own juice = Ascension, Godjuice = Assumption.
Evolution was once again brought up. Talked about how species evolve to become better adapted and suited for the environment, about how humans are the most adaptable creatures since they can survive in most every sort of environment there is, deserts, forests, arctic, mountains, seaside, etc. Paul explained to everyone about the tree of life.
Then questions about extraterrestrials were asked, about how there were theories of many other galaxies and planets with intelligent lifeforms as well.
Roy talked about how sometimes it's ok to discuss about less relevant stuff if it interests the confirmants, since it's more important to teach the child and not the lesson plan. If somethings interest the kids, go along with it. For example, for the lesson on reconciliation, you can also talk about counseling and psychology.
As some of the Year 1s had to leave for mass, the session had to be closed and the closing prayer was said...those who wanted to ask more questions stayed behind a while longer.
Firstly, announcements were made.
- Looking for survey youth volunteers on Sat, 10th March, 2pm-4pm.
- Archdiocesan Youth Day - 7 Jul 2007 (Saturday)
- Seder Meal on Maundy Thurs Night
- Consent forms
The session started off with a discussion on free will, predestination and fate. What is free will? Some of the definitions posted were freedom of choice, moral and ethical, not forced, and a few other definitions.
Basically we're free to make our own choices, be it good or bad, but of course if we choose to make bad choices, we'll have to face the consequences.
Also, as we get older, there will be tougher choices to make, such as whether you should inform an adult when your confirmants confide in you their problems. You'll have to discern for yourself what's best for the situation and there's no right or wrong decisions sometimes...have to pray about it and ask God to help/guide you.
Roy also talked about it was important to know what you are passionate about and enjoy doing, for your life will be pretty miserable if you have to do stuff you absolutely detest. Everyone in the circle said out what they were passionate about, literature, sciences, music, sports, art, geography and many more. That way, if you combine work with your hobby, you will look forward to going to work.
Next the topic on obligation was brought up. We all have obligations to God, to work, to family, to friends, to ourselves, etc. sometimes we have so many obligations that we end up fitting God into our schedule rather than putting God first in our lives...for when we put God into our lives, things would seem to fall in place better, but we tend to fit God in whenever we feel it's convenient. God should not be crushed into powder and sprinkled where we can squeeze him in. Roy told a story to illustrate it.
Later, days of obligation were discussed and also the difference between Assumption and Ascension. Own juice = Ascension, Godjuice = Assumption.
Evolution was once again brought up. Talked about how species evolve to become better adapted and suited for the environment, about how humans are the most adaptable creatures since they can survive in most every sort of environment there is, deserts, forests, arctic, mountains, seaside, etc. Paul explained to everyone about the tree of life.
Then questions about extraterrestrials were asked, about how there were theories of many other galaxies and planets with intelligent lifeforms as well.
Roy talked about how sometimes it's ok to discuss about less relevant stuff if it interests the confirmants, since it's more important to teach the child and not the lesson plan. If somethings interest the kids, go along with it. For example, for the lesson on reconciliation, you can also talk about counseling and psychology.
As some of the Year 1s had to leave for mass, the session had to be closed and the closing prayer was said...those who wanted to ask more questions stayed behind a while longer.
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