MANILA, Philippines The fourth Cebu Archdiocesan Youth Congress for youth leaders opened in Lahug, Cebu City on Saturday at the DECS Ecotech Center.
The Commission on Youth said it is excited to receive young people's response to the challenge articulated through the theme: "Cebu's Youth: Reflecting the Compassionate Face of Jesus."
"It is another defining moment in our journey in the youth ministry," said Fr. Kit Sestoso, vice chairman of Cebu Archdiocesan Youth Commission, in a statement on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website (www.cbcpnews.com).
The theme is lifted from the archdiocese's pastoral thrust for this year, "Towards the 75th Anniversary of Cebu as an Archdiocese: Contemplating the Face of Jesus in the Bible."
Inspired by the theme, this year's congress will be a smorgasbord of ideas on how to tackle pressing and depressing issues affecting the youth today.
"It is our goal that we can have a deeper understanding of the issues through the presentations from our invited resource speakers: Msgr. Dennis Villarojo, Coordinator of the Pastoral Planning Board in the archdiocese, will talk about Youth Spirituality; Governor Ed Panlilio of Pampanga will discuss Youth Participation in Governance, and Mrs. Becky Pestaño-Smith will speak on Youth and the Environment," said Sestoso. - GMANews.TV