Diocesan Youth Commission Deputy Director Tammy Chio is currently in Portugal to attend a preparatory meeting convened by the organizing committee of next year’s World Youth Day. Macau’s participation in the event, which takes place in Lisbon from 1st to 6th August 2023, seems to be well underway. A final decision, nonetheless, should be announced next summer. The last word remains with the Macau government and the anti-Covid policies still in place.
We must pray always and continuously if we are to see any perceptible change in the world and in ourselves. It is not that God does not hear us when we pray sometimes. It is just His way of encouraging us to begin the change within ourselves first.
A young Bayingyi from Myanmar talks about his life in his hometown, being Catholic, the situation in his country and how the conflict can be defused.
St. Francis’ experiences in life, which led to a deepening faith in God and love for Christ, are especially relevant in today’s materialistic, selfish world. He is that beacon that prompts us to strive for justice in an unequal world.
Our Lady of Carmel Church organized a charity Mooncake Project, promoting concern for integrated education and children in need. The design of the mooncake box has the word “communion” on it to indicate that SEN students are accepted and welcomed in the environment of inclusive education.
The Malang Stadium devastation caused the Catholic Church in Indonesia to speak about promoting harmony at different levels in society, treating games as a medium of enjoyment and not violence, and calling Catholics to a more active political life to initiate change for the betterment of society.
Just as one needs to communicate appropriately with one’s friends and family to maintain relationships, one needs to pray, converse with God on a regular basis. Prayer should not be motivated solely by our temporal desires, but by our need to grow in faith and become more intimate with God.
Unfortunately, we often experience God as a capricious figure whom we can manipulate with the “right” prayer formula, ritual or devotion, thinking that our insistence might magically convince Him to give us what we want, regardless of the goodness of our request. Prayer is not only asking, but also listening.
Mortal sin is like deliberate solitary confinement. If death comes and one has not repented, his heart is forever sealed – he will have excluded himself from enjoying infinite truth, goodness, beauty, life, and happiness.
The new Diocesan Youth Center is focused on drawing youth to discover the best in themselves, develop it and offer it to the world. In doing so, they will also evolve in their spiritual life and learn to become better persons.