Antipolo City. — Last December 19, 2013, Assumption Antipolo partnered with CFC YFL for their 13th Youth Gathering and Youth Vigil. The theme of the activity was based on Pope Francis’ exhortation to the youth at the 2013 World Youth Day, “Go. Do not be afraid. Serve.”, which is anchored in Matthew 28:19.
The Youth Gathering started with an opening worship led by Kuya Kevin Remandaban. Janica Javier then led the assembly into prayer for the lighting of the fourth Advent candle. The emcees for the day were Kuya Mac De Leon, together with Assumption students, Alissa Villa and Celina Nepomuceno.
The first session, “Go”, was given by Kuya Gam Guarnes. It talked about God commanding us to move from one place to another. God making us go to our family and friends, and share his love to them. The session ended with the students having discussion groups, sharing about how God is wanting them to go in their personal lives.
The second session, “Do Not Be Afraid”, was given by Ate Sweet Roque. It talked about our fears and the need to conquer them by God’s strength. After which, the students were asked to reflect, acknowledge, and write their own fears and surrender it to God.

Sam Ramos, Assumption high school student, shares how the World Youth Day taught her to not be afraid by the grace of God.
During the break, different school bands were given the chance to perform.
The afternoon segment, started with a worship led by Mikee Alvero, Assumption Antipolo’s high school student. She shared her World Youth Day 2013 experience of how God moved and transformed her life.
The last session, “Serve”, was given by Kuya RJ Moriones. It empowered every student to serve God and his Church, in the smallest and in the biggest of things. The students were asked to mark their hands in the cartolinas that were given them and to write their commitment of serving God.
The entire Youth Gathering ended with a worship led by Kuya Julius Eguia. He asked them to group into their year levels and to pray for their batch and for one another.
In the evening of the same day, the students gathered for the Youth Vigil. It was a night of Adoration, Confession, and Catechesis.
For the students’ catechesis, the Live Pure Movement gave the Chastity Forum and the CFC YFL gave the Cool Catholics formation. Almost 20 catechetical formation sessions were given that night.
The Youth Vigil was then capped with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It was a day of worshiping and being in the presence of the Lord. Learning more about him. Loving more of him. Serving more for him.
At the end of everything, everyone was affirmed and empowered to “Go and make disciples” (cf. Matthew 28:19), together with Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption.
News-ed by High School-based Program.
[…] is our chosen theme for this year’s Youth Gathering and Vigil. We, Janica, Alissa, Sam, Celina, and I, chose this theme not only because we want to bring the […]