“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
 

HONG KONG (SE): The youth ministry of Couples For Christ–Youth For Life (CFC-YFL) responded to the call of Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung of Hong Kong, to celebrate the year 2018 as the Year of the Youth in the diocese by organising its first ever Youth Conference themed, Rise Above, Destined for Greatness, on June 24 at Caritas Tuen Mun Marden Foundation Secondary School. The gathering was open to young people from all the different parishes in the city.  
 
Over 120 teenagers and young people aged between 10 and 24-years-old, from 14 parishes and various youth groups participated in the conference and celebrated God’s love through worship, communion and fellowship. Divine Word Father Jay Flandez, the spiritual director of CFC-FFL celebrated the opening Mass. 
 
The conference inspired the participants through talks and workshops on what it means to rise to greatness, to rise to serve and to rise to proclaim. 
 
Young people from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Wanchai; St. Vincent’s Church, Hang Hau; Annunciation Parish, Tsuen Wan; St. Joseph Parish, Central; St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Tsing Yi; St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, Tuen Mun; Ss. Peter and Paul, Yuen Long; Visitation Parish, Tung Chung; St. Teresa’s Parish, Prince Edward Road; Holy Cross Parish, Shaukiwan; Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Pokfulam; Epiphany Parish, Mui Wo; Caritas Tuen Mun; La Salle College; Delia Memorial School; the trans-parish BLD Youth, and LifeTeen from Rosary parish, sent delegates to the event. 
 
God destined us for greatness. But the world offers a different view of greatness that is apart from him. Every day, we have a choice to pursue God’s greatness or worldly greatness. Through musical performance and talk, the young people were reminded that the world’s greatness cannot be compared with the greatness that is offered by God. 
 
As the talks and sharing spiritually nourished, the team-building activities not only allowed the young people to create lasting friendships, but to also reinforce their faith together as Catholics. 
 
The day ended with a time-capsule activity, elaborating their vision and goals for five years from now, of their parishes, youth groups or school. They were encouraged to get involved with and to take leadership in the mission of evangelisation.