OMK IS THE SOLUTION! OMK must have the courage to be present in society, walking alongside and supporting those in need.
The spirit of youth, full of hope, once again burned brightly at Gonzaga Youth Fellowship, an inspiring gathering for the Catholic Youth (OMK) of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish (AlGonz), Cijantung, East Jakarta. With the theme “OMK is the Solution!”, this event served as a moment for reflection, fellowship, and a renewed call to active service in the Church.
The event took place on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Valentino Chapel and Hall, Kopassus. It began with Holy Mass, presided over by Fr. Willy Ng Pala, CSsR, the moderator of SieKep AlGonz. Right from the start, the atmosphere was filled with gratitude and enthusiasm. In his homily, Fr. Willy encouraged the youth to continuously renew themselves, take initiative, and be creative in their service.
“Our strength lies in our identity as children of God. We are called to be passionate witnesses and bearers of hope for others. OMK must have the courage to be present in society, walking alongside and supporting those in need,” he said passionately.
After Mass, the energy grew even stronger as OMK gathered in the hall for deeper reflection and engaging activities. Divided into small groups, they discussed and shared personal experiences, hopes, and challenges in their communities. This warm and open dialogue strengthened their bonds and reinforced the understanding that they are not alone on their journey of faith and service.
The event ran smoothly thanks to the coordination of the Parish Youth Ministry (SieKep) and the Training & Leadership Development Team (Pekad), with full support from parish communities, local leaders, the parish priest, and the parish council. The collaboration of all parties was evident, emphasizing that good communication is the key to unity and success.
As a meaningful conclusion, all participants gathered once more in the Valentino Chapel for a moment of prayer, encircling a single lit candle placed at the center of the room. The candle light symbolized the enduring spirit of baptism within each young person. In deep reverence, they sang “Praise the Lord, Praise His Name” and “10,000 Reasons,” offering themselves anew to God. The moment was sealed with a group photo session, capturing the beauty of their togetherness.
More than 200 OMK participated—an incredible turnout! This proves that with passion and proper preparation, youth involvement in the Church and society will continue to flourish.
Keep moving forward, Young Catholics! Keep the flame alive in your heart!
Fr. Willy Ng Pala, CSsR.
