SYM-FIS KICK-OFF 2022-2023 – “REBUILD: nothingSYMpossible”
By: MJ & TJ Aranzado
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME! ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD! A blessed and joyous event was held on August 20, 2022, wherein the 3 different districts of the SYM-FIS (Cebu, Negros, and Davao Districts) celebrated their SYM Kick-Off for the year 2022-2023 with the theme: “REBUILD: nothingSYMpossible”. Different settings from the SYM-FIS joined the event through an online zoom meeting. In this way, despite the distance between the different settings, they were still able to come together and celebrate as one. The event was the beginning of more fun and exciting activities to come that will help shape the youth of the Salesian communities.
The event was organized and led by the newly inducted SYM-FIS core group officers. As with any SYM activity, the event officially opened with a prayer that was led by Charles Gabriel Aranzado. After which, the participants were greeted by the emcees, Ma. Abigail Salandron and Kirk Valmoria. They welcomed the participants of the different districts and gave them the opportunity to greet everybody as they represented their respective settings. The emcees then handed the floor to Daryl Torreon, the Senior Youth Leader, to introduce the newly inducted core group officers and members for the years 2022-2025.
To make things livelier and more fun the participants were treated with video clips of the previous formations, experiences, and activities organized for the youth of the different settings. To commemorate the birthday of our beloved St. John Bosco, the participants were surprised with trivia questions related to Don Bosco and the Salesian Youth Movement. They also witnessed the talents of the different settings wherein each showcased their beautiful and elegant dance moves.
This year’s strenna, “Do all through love, nothing through constraint”, which was inspired by St. Francis de Sales to celebrate the 400 years of his death, was also introduced by Fr. Rooney John G. Undar, SDB, the CYM-FIS Delegate, in which he utilized different videos to relate the strenna to our daily lives. His words of wisdom really hit the hearts of the participants especially when it comes to being responsible with the freedom that we are privileged to have. After his talk, some participants were given the opportunity to share their thoughts and insights on Fr. Rooney’s discussion.
The participants had a sharing activity in which they were able to share their experiences from the recent SALT Camp 2022 and their expectations for future SYM activities. The core group then revealed the upcoming SYM-FIS activities for the year 2022-2023. The event was concluded with a traditional goodnight talk that was given by Rev. Fr. Vince Michael K. Sabal, SDB, the SYM-FIS Delegate. The event was formally closed with a closing prayer followed by a photo op with the core group and the participants.
This event opened up the year for new and exciting experiences, activities and, of course, challenges that will help shape the youth, its leaders, and the Salesian Youth Movement of FIS.
