By Christine Cyrill
KUCHING — The Kuching Archdiocesan Youth Day 2024 (KAYD 2024) took place after a five-year hiatus. The event was held from 14–16 September 2024 at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC) in the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak. Organised by the Kuching Archdiocesan Youth Commission (KAYC) in partnership with Parish Youth Ministries, Youth Groups and Young Adult Groups, the event gathered about 240 servants and 640 participants from the rural and urban parishes throughout the Kuching Archdiocese.
Day 1
KAYD 2024 began with the celebratory opening Mass presided by Msgr William Sabang together with Salesian priests Fr Ramon Borja and Fr Ben Hur Borja. The spirit of synodality was evident during the opening procession with the KAYD Cross as a focal point, with youth representatives from each parish and youth groups carrying their banners and crosses. Inspired by World Youth Day, the KAYD Cross served as a reminder of the collective faith journey of our young people. This Cross was “entrusted to the youth as they were given the commission to carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption.” (taken from WorldYouthDay.com)
The evening proceeded with a plenary message and Eucharistic Adoration presided by Fr Alvin Ng, SJ with opportunities for confession. It was a quiet evening with reflective moments, allowing the youth to surrender their worldly burdens, seek forgiveness and prepare their hearts for the weekend ahead.
Day 2
On the second day, sessions were conducted in three languages (English, BM and Chinese) to include all young people and to reflect the call of our Holy Father to be a synodal church.
Participants chose which language stream they preferred, all of which focussed on the theme of “Wholistic Wellness as Catholic Youth,” aimed at encouraging young Catholics to nurture both their spiritual and human development in the context of today’s challenges.
The English sessions were led by Fr Ben Hur Borja, SDB from the Philippines. Fr Ben’s sharing of his stories and knowledge were deeply rooted in Isaiah 41:30. From his sharing that we are inspired to embrace our faith as a source of strength and resilience. That being said, the discussions fostered a sense of community and encouraged participants to prioritise their overall well-being through being vulnerable to one another in sharing each other’s stories through their journey in knowing God.
Bahasa Malaysia sessions were conducted by Mdm Anna Teresa. Mdm Anna’s sessions really inspired everyone to see faith as a source of strength and resilience, bringing the group closer together. The open conversation about getting to know God better got participants and facilitators more engaged. Her interactive style kept things interesting, and the Q&A turned into a fun, lively exchange that not only boosted their understanding but also helped build a sense of teamwork and connection among the participants.
Mdm Mary Feng led the Chinese-speaking group, which covered topics on the enhancement of personality and faith formation, advocating for the guiding principle of “What Would Jesus Do.” Besides that, the youths experienced how to deepen their understanding of biblical verses through imagination and prayer, and they shared their experiences during moments of silence in small group discussions.
A worship night concluded Day Two, led by the worship team followed by a message from Fr Alvin and a skit performed by the Dance and Drama team.
The skit, inspired by Isaiah 40:31, showed the struggles young Christians face today. It featured five scenes that included family arguments, a student being bullied after failing an exam, a broken relationship, a young person feeling ashamed for not having enough, and a girl falling into addiction because of peer pressure. Each scene highlighted the difficulties of dealing with personal setbacks, rejection, and societal pressures.
In their darkest moments, the characters realised that God had been with them all along, helping and protecting them. When they turned to God, they found new strength, just like Isaiah 40:31 promised through their faith, they learnt to overcome their struggles, knowing that God was always there for them, providing hope and support.
Day 3
The final day of KAYD 2024 was dedicated to reflection and action plans. Youth ministers Julian, Maria, and Joan led a session where participants were encouraged to internalise the lessons learnt over the past two days and think about practical ways to implement them in their daily lives, to grow continually in their faith and wellness post-KAYD. This concluded with a plenary session delivered by Fr Alvin about growth, both spiritually and personally. Participants gathered to reflect on their experiences from KAYD 2024 and the insights gained throughout the event.
The event came to an end with a Commissioning Mass presided by Archbishop Simon Poh, with concelebrants Fr Ramon Borja, SDB, Fr Andre Delimarta, SDB and Fr Prince Cornelius, CMF. In his homily, Archbishop Simon Poh shared a heartfelt account of his experience meeting Pope Francis during his Papal visit to Singapore. He also prayed for our nation, Malaysia in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
KAYD 2024 was not just an event; it was a revival of spiritual life for the youth of the Archdiocese of Kuching. This would not have been possible without the dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment of the 240 servants who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. From the planning of the past few months to the final day, their efforts ensured that this event was not only well-organised but also spiritually enriching for everyone involved. To all servants who contributed their time and talents, your service is deeply appreciated, and your sacrifice is a testament to your love for God and His Church.
To the 640 participants who joined us from across the Archdiocese of Kuching, your enthusiasm and openness to the Spirit have made this event truly meaningful. You embraced every moment, engaged in meaningful discussions, and strengthened the bonds of faith within our community. As you go forth, may the lessons and experiences from KAYD 2024 continue to inspire you on your journey of faith. Together, as one community, we have grown, and we will continue to soar like eagles, in line with the message of Isaiah 40:31.
Feedback from participants
“Fr Ramon clarified that Jesus was among hypocrites who called Him a false prophet, blasphemy, etc., however, blessed are those who are persecuted by His name. Therefore, I will do what Jesus did, regardless of how others treat me, I will show love and kindness!”
「每个讲座都让我感觉到耶稣的救恩和慈爱，通过每个讲师的分享，还有朝拜圣体和赞美敬拜环节。」
“Pengalaman yang paling menggembirakan saya sepanjang program KAYD ini ialah mendengar ‘sharing’ daripada Kak Anna dan juga Fr Alvin, di mana kita haruslah menyayangi diri sendiri dan bangkit daripada perkara yang pahit.”
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