Artificial Intelligence: Advancing and Expanding Horizons in Youth Ministry
By: Shaira Jan I. Albacite
LAF 2024 – Negros District was held at Don Bosco Technical Institute – Victorias, Inc. on November 9, 2024, with the theme: “Bridging the Gap: Design, Technology, and Youth Ministry.”
The Leaders and Animators’ Formation (LAF) develops young leaders to stay updated with the latest techniques, needs, and essentials in leading a ministry. In alignment with our world’s greatest contemporary reformer—technology—this year’s LAF focused on equipping leaders with the knowledge to become upright and responsible in their use of modern tools, ensuring that gaps in youth ministry are bridged through the effective and ethical use of technology.
“’Artificial Intelligence & the Usage of Adobe, Canva in Youth Ministry’ is a workshop designed to teach participants how to design impactful messages, unleash creativity, and explore the power of AI to enhance their ministry. This program empowers youth and youth ministers with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively communicate, create, and engage in today’s digital landscape.” -SYM FIS
This vibrant event was attended by various Don Bosco settings across the Negros District, including Dumangas, Iloilo, Victorias City, Granada, and Mambukal. The sessions were held in the Braga Hall of DBTI, where ate Jayriel Cui and kuya Daryl Torreon warmly greeted participants during registration.
The first session began shortly after, with kuya Eduardo Empelis, Jr. delivering a talk on “Artificial Intelligence.” He introduced the importance of AI in today’s world, emphasizing its great potential as well as the responsibilities it entails, which were further elaborated on through a presentation by Ms. Marie Arianne Diolingo. Kuya Eduardo discussed current digital trends and how they could be applied in ministry settings. Additionally, he introduced various software applications and platforms categorized into three areas: (1) Time and Project Management, (2) Content Creation, and (3) Learning. These tools were aligned with the PIE method taught by the FIS: Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating.
After kuya Eduardo’s insightful session, the second workshop was led by ate Patlyn Panares, who focused on the “Usage of Adobe & Canva in Youth Ministry.” Ate Patlyn taught participants about essential design elements to consider when creating digital content. The session extended into the afternoon, where participants paired up to create their own designs based on the morning’s learnings. They explored Canva’s interface and briefly dived into Adobe Illustrator’s capabilities. The day concluded with an award for the best design, as judged by the LAF facilitators. The winning piece effectively incorporated the design elements taught during the session.
As the day drew to a close, we celebrated the event’s success with a mass, followed by the recognition of participants. May the grace of God continue to shine upon and prosper all leaders who live by the motto: “Youth Serving Youth!”
