KUCHING – The Easter Rally (ER2018) was held from 18-20 May, at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC), Kuching. With the theme “Witness | Saksi | 见证” (based on John 15:26-27), the rally was jointly organised by more than 160 people from various groups such as the EMPOWERED Ministry and FLAME Youth Group from St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish, St Mark’s Church Chinese Youth Ministry, Holy Trinity Church Chinese Youth Ministry, Blessed Sacrament Church Chinese Youth Ministry and The Pilgrims.
This year, in line with the Vatican’s focus on “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment” for the upcoming Synod, the conferences were tailored for teenagers and youths in three different languages. There were over 230 delegates who signed up for the weekend celebration rally and attended the various language streaming conferences namely the English Conference, the BM Conference, and the Mandarin Conference. Registration forms were received from various locations such as Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Bau, and Kuching and its surrounding areas.
The rally featured an array of guest speakers coming from the CDD Order and KASIH Malaysia. The CDD is known as the Congregatio Discipulorum Domini or the Congregation of Disciple’s of the Lord with a formation house in Melaka. The two guest speakers, Rev Anthony Heng, CDD and Rev Martin Then, CDD were invited to speak in the Mandarin Conference. KASIH Malaysia is Charismatic Youth Ministry affiliated to Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It is a Catholic youth team ministry made up of young committed Catholics between the ages of 20-29 who are on a mission to proclaim the mercy of God the Father through teaching, preaching, worship, music, song, dance, and creativity. The three guest speakers from KASIH Malaysia, Felix Handoko was invited to speak at the BM Conference whereas Norman Bismer and Steven Emanuel were invited to speak at the English Conference.
The rally started off on Friday evening, 18 May, with an elaborated Opening Celebration featuring the enthronement of the Bible, followed by a time of praise and worship, and a Combined Opening Plenary Session by Steven Emanuel.
On 19 May, Saturday, the day started off with a Holy Mass presided by Rev Larry Tan, SJ, the Spiritual Advisor for EMPOWERED Ministry, and con-celebrated by Rev Anthony Heng, CDD and Rev Martin Then, CDD and then the delegates split to the different conferences for the entire day.In the evening, a Celebration Worship Night was opened to all and featured songs and dances with the encompassing message to celebrate and glorify Christ who has risen. Norman Bismer spoke a powerful message of God’s Love and called all who were present to come and know Jesus as the Risen Lord and Saviour.
Finally, on Sunday, 20 May, the day began at the separate conferences which ran concurrently in the morning and then concluded with two sessions with a call to mission to witness to Christ. A Concluding Mass of the rally was presided by Most Rev Simon Poh, the Archbishop of Kuching and con-celebrated by Rev Anthony Heng, CDD and Rev Martin Then, CDD and the whole event concluded with a memorable Concluding Celebration with appreciations from the organisers, a video of highlights throughout the rally, and a concluding praise and worship session.
The organisers of the ER2018 would like to express their heartiest gratitude to all sponsors, donors, and to the administrators of St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the ACCPC who have generously provided financially and in kind to make the rally possible and meaningful. Wholehearted appreciation also goes to the parents and family members of the organisers of the ER2018 for allowing and supporting their children and family members who have committed to serve and minister in the rally. May Our Good Lord bless and keep you always.
TESTIMONIES
ER2018彻彻底底改变了我对天主的看法。以前的我，对天主其实是抱有怀疑…那段时候的我一直觉得我自己真的很失败，那段时候的我真的对自己很没自信…而这次来ER2018的目的就是为了找回那份初心，那份对天主的信心，那份爱的证据… ER2018这次的主题是“见证”，这一次我觉得最重要的不仅仅是为基督作见证，也是为自己在信仰方面为自己的成长作见证。我做到了！感谢ER让我重新拾起对天主的信心，让我找回了初心。我不再怀疑祂的存在，我相信他是真天主，受万民崇拜的真天主。~ 陈柔亨, Chinese Conference Delegate
Participants who attended BM Conference were in awe of Felix Handoko. He deliver talks, sharing, he prayed and despite his thick Indonesian accent, everyone really enjoyed his presentations and we believe he had touched many hearts who had listened to his sharing too… ~ The Pilgrims (Mabel, Teddy, Mathew, Charles Eric, Azelle, Mulan, Kevin, Melanie & Yvonne), BM Conference Coordination Team
To be given this opportunity only proves that God brings his child higher, higher and higher! There is no disqualification or demotion only promotion in the kingdom of God! I am glad and my heart is filled with joy knowing that I was a part of shouting out Gods love to his people! Thanks Empowered Ministry Kuching for everything! ~ Dominic Norman Bismer, English Conference Speaker
ER was really AWESOME! I get to learn more about Jesus Christ especially about his love towards all of us.. I am God’s witness (: ~ Peter Temujin Ogutai, English Conference Delegate
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