Caceres prelate challenges the youth: “We rely on you to be instruments of hope”

By Myrna S. Bermudo

Delivering his message to the youth of the Archdiocese of Caceres for the local World Youth Day last November 24, Sunday, also the Solemnity of Christ the King, Archbishop Rex Andrew C. Alarcon called on the youth to be instruments of hope. “I am united with you in celebrating the local World Youth Day,” he said in a video message published through the social media account of the Caceres Youth Commission.

Alarcon said, “Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, we also mark the 39th World Youth Day. This year, Pope Francis reminds us, the youth, not to abandon hope and to journey forward with hope. This message aligns with the theme of the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025, which invites the Church to become “Pilgrims of Hope.” We look forward to the future as pilgrims of hope. We, the young people, hope in the Lord, and in God’s love. Thus, despite being saddened and affected by Typhoon Kristine, we do not fret. We do not lose hope because we rely in the Lord.”

Furthermore, he said, “We also rely on you, dear young people, to be instruments of hope. First, by accepting the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which will provide you with hope and deep joy, and strengthen you amidst life’s challenges and in the midst of uncertainties. [The Good News] will also ignite our growth in the grace of God and in God’s mercy.”

“Happy Feast of Christ the King,” the prelate said as he concluded his message. “I wish you a meaningful and fruitful celebration of the local World Youth Day. You are the ‘now’ of the Church and of society. You are [our] future, and together we march forward with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.”

SOCIAL SERVICES ARM HOLDS CLUSTER MEETING. Last November 25 the Social Services Cluster of the Pastoral Development of the Archdiocese of Caceres (PDAC) composed of Caritas-Caceres, Caceres Office for Women and Child Protection, Caceres Ministry on Ecology, Gilean Ministry (Ministry for Persons with Disability), Caceres Commission on Prison Welfare - Maximilian Ministry, Archdiocesan Ministry for the Elderly, Sick and the Dying (AMESD), and the Archdiocesan Ministry for Indigenous People held a meeting to discuss how to implement the Archdiocesan thrust, “Education towards Communion”, in preparation for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025. Present in the meeting were the Chairperson of each ministry, namely: (from left to right) Fr. Dan Viola (Gilean Ministry), Fr. Marc Real (Caritas Caceres), Fr. Jhonan’z Vibar (COWCP), Ms. Maricel Pomares (staff of Caritas Caceres), Fr. Eric Bobis (Ecology), Fr. Jay Gaite (Maximilian Ministry); standing at the back are Ms. Tere Medina (staff of Caritas- Caceres) and Fr. Joseph Olin (AMESD. (Text and photo: Tere Esmeralda-Medina)