TWO CAMPUS Ministry volunteers from the University completed this year’s Certificate on Youth Ministry, Pastoral Leadership and Empowerment (Cymple) program.
John Peter Asiño and Sheena Jeniffer Estioko were among the graduates of the eighth edition of the Cymple training held at the San Pedro Calungsod Youth Center in Intramuros, Manila last Aug. 10.
Cymple is a non-degree and non-credit program jointly organized by the UST Center for Campus Ministry and the Archdiocese of Manila’s Commission on Youth.
For seven Saturdays, youth participants attended lectures and workshop sessions. They also had to undergo a “mission experience” to complete the program.
After interviewing youth leaders in various parishes to assess the situation and problems faced by their ministries, the participants were expected to apply what they have learned in their own communities.
Asiño, a campus ministry student volunteer since 2016, said he learned not only to be a “servant-leader” but also how to cope with changes and develop ways to know the needs of the community.
“[I]’ve learned to use my communication skills through dialogue to understand the situation of the community where I was assigned to. [W]e were able to devise and formulate ways to help them by knowing their needs and strengths,” he told the Varsitarian.
Asiño, a philosophy graduate and former president of AB Pax Romana, said more youth ministers willing to serve, amid difficulties in the Church and society, were needed.
Youth ministry
Estioko said she learned the value of camaraderie and leadership from the program.
“Natutuhan ko na kailangan magtiwala sa mga teammates kahit na magkakaiba kami ng karanasan sa buhay. [M]ore on journeying and accompaniment kami sa youth para mas lalo namin silang ma-empower,” Estioko told the Varsitarian.
She also commended youth leaders from Cymple for finding time to serve in their respective parishes.
Estioko has been an office staff of the campus ministry since 2018. She finished her degree in nursing at the Perpetual Help College of Manila.
Course topics included “Catholic Youth Ministry,” “Effective Youth Leadership,” “Engaged Citizenship,” “Management of Organizations,” “Critical Thinking,” “Public Speaking,” Social Media and Evangelization,” “Youth Catechesis,” and “Peer Facilitating.”
According to Assoc. Prof. Richard Pazcoguin, director of the campus ministry, Cymple graduates were trained to become youth leaders of their respective parishes and the community.
“[N]akita namin na nakatutulong ang Cymple sa pag-develop ng leadership skills tuwing ipinapadala namin sila sa parish upang mag-mission experience. [Hence], the main task of the parish is to send youth missionaries,” Pazcoguin told the Varsitarian.
On the seventh Saturday, Cymple participants presented their mission portfolios.
Cymple, which had the theme, “Stoking the Flame of Inner Vitality for Youth Ministry,” aims to heighten the young people’s participation in the New Evangelization.
A candidate for Cymple must be recommended by the parish priest, ministry chaplain, or religious organization.
Established in 2012, Cymple has produced an estimated 200 graduates.
