FATIMA K.B. NEWS : Kota Bharu Youth Reactivated & Revitalized!

Friday 5 August 2016

Kota Bharu Youth Reactivated & Revitalized!

The local youth of the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima Kota Bharu organized a youth program on 4^th August 2016 and a sale of Dim Sum & drinks on 5^th August 2016 The aim of the programme was to strengthen their faith in God while the breakfast sale was to raise funds for the youth ministry’s future activities such as youth camps and other programmes.

The programme was opened to all youths and there were 30 participants. The programme started at 8pm sharp with ice-breaking and praise & worship by '7 Direction'. This was followed by a talk on Forgiveness by Mr. Francis Lai.

“Forgiveness is a very important practice that everyone must apply in daily life, but is everyone able to forgive and forget?” asked Mr. Francis in his opening question. The talk on forgiveness opened our eyes and our hearts as we learn the need to forgive others if we are hurt.

Next, one of a local youth, Maria Tiau shared about her trip to Gua Musang on 29 July 2016 with members from the Parish Human Development committee led by FMM Provincial Sr. Susan Thomas and an Indonesian sister, to meet and help the migrant workers from Indonesia. She said that it was heartbreaking when they saw the poor living conditions of many of the migrant workers. The road to where they stay was difficult but the migrant workers still managed to get through all the hardships. The FMM sisters also spend some time with the kids, teaching them catechism and some basic knowledge and skills. We also gave them packs of food and drinks to supplement the migrants’ daily food supplies.

During the ‘eye-to-eye contemplation’, participants were asked to find a partner, look into their eyes and say “I Love Myself Unconditionally” three times. There was also a Taize prayer session in the church which involved sung and chanted prayers, meditation, a period of silence and liturgical readings. The youths stayed overnight in the church so they could prepare the foods & drinks on the next day.

On Friday, 5^th August 2016, the youths set up the booths in the early morning and prepared the things needed for the breakfast sale. There were three booths which sold Dim Sum, Soya Grass Jelly & Salted Fried Dough. The Dim Sum were sold for RM10 (3 bowls) , while Soya Grass Jelly were sold for RM2 (Small) & RM4 (Big). Nevertheless, the Salted Fried Dough (also called ‘Ham Chim Peng’) were sold for only RM0.50 each. They began their sale after the weekend mass, at 10 a.m and parishioners were very supportive. Many parishioners said that the activity was a good opportunity for the youths to learn many things such as unity and tolerance. In a short while, the food & drinks had been sold out. The money earned will be used for future youth ministry’s expenses.

Thank you to all youth members who gave their all during the program and the breakfast sale!

Report and photos by ANNE YEO

VISIT BY POHD TEAM TO GUA MUSANG