Young
people show Power Point presentation |
 Loreto
Ballester, in white looks at photos |
IT Youth
watch the show |
Looking
at the presentation |
MANILA, Philippines, (February, 2005). In her meeting with young people
from Naga, Baguio, Tagaytay and Manila, the President of the Teresian
Association challenged them to : “be light wherever you go, bringing warmth
to the hearts of those around you”.
Thirty-two young people were present to share their experiences as IT
Youth members and to listen to Loreto Ballester in her visit to the country.
At the meeting, January 16th, the group showed a power point presentation
of their zonal activities highlighting the summer camp last April 2004.
They also included their collaboration with other youth groups in the
country. A sharing of each locality’s activities and its impact on the
members followed.
In response, the President noted that she was happy about the increasing
numbers in the group. She recalled that three years ago there was still
no IT Youth in Baguio or Naga.
She further said that the activities that were captured in the Power Point
presentation and those that were shared are just a small part of their
lives. Because, any moment in life can be an IT-Youth moment. This may
happen whenever young people fulfill their duties, enjoy the camp or spend
time with friends.
The name IT-Youth comes from the name of the Teresian Association in Spanish,
which is Institución Teresiana
She commented that young people can be like tiny candles that light the
way:
“ Each one of you is a candle and you carry constantly the light of Jesus”,
she said. “In any place you go there is light because you bring light
as an IT youth” she pointed out stressing that “ being an IT-Youth means
being light wherever you go bringing warmth to the hearts of those around
you. It also means being ready to serve and ready to be silent with Jesus...”
She also underlined the importance of prayer and formation in order to
be better ready to serve others.
“ We need to pray because we need to be closer to Jesus. We need formation
because we need to shine brightly. And it is through serving others that
we share our light,” she explained.
Cora Mateo, a member of the Governing Council of the Association, added
that being an IT-youth means being open to where God is leading them.
“Allow yourselves to be touched by God and you will find the meaning of
your life, and experience the happiness that is meant for you” she told
them.
“Be open to what God is calling you to be. Be prepared to be leaders now
and for the future, she said recalling words of St. Pedro Poveda addressed
to young people. “When Fr. Poveda said that you can conquer the world…
his words were meant not only for now.
They speak also about what you can become in the future, because if you
prepare yourselves your light will become brighter”, she aded, inviting
the young people to “allow your little candle to burn brightly and you
will become a sign of hope and life to others.”
The words of the President were well received by young people who ended
the meeting in high spirits as they sang their IT-Youth song. Carlo, an
IT-Youth from Naga, summarized the meeting this way: “ We are the IT-Youth
24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Text: IRIS GABALLO
Photos: MARITES SEDULLO |
