The event was introduced to the commission early this year, 2023. Although unfamiliar with the activity, the youth commission embraced the idea as a response to the challenge of the Holy Father, Francis to be synodal not only in spirit but also in truth. CARDBOARD CITY is a novel idea to the young people in the CNMI but not in some parts of the world.
The goal of the activity is to promote awareness to the young people of the CNMI about the reality of homelessness and poverty and to ignite in them the desire to reach out and help in ways they know how. Homelessness may not be evident in the CNMI but people here are not unfamiliar with it since homelessness and poverty all over the world has been one of the constant content in the news.
THE CARDBOARD CITY
The Diocesan Youth Camp 2023 called Cardboard City with the theme Rejoicing in Hope was held during the first week of Advent, December 2-3 at the Mt. Carmel Cathedral grounds. Around 250 participants came for the event and brought for themselves boxes that they turned into simple shelters wherein they will sleep through the cold, wet, and windy night.
The event started with a talk given by one of the young adult volunteers from St. Jude Parish in Saipan, Ms. Marchie Fernandez, who works at Habitat for Humanity. She is an actual hero for homeless people and she joyfully responded to our request to be our guest speaker so that more than theories, participant may actually meet someone who responds to the needs of homeless people.
After the talk, participants began to build their cardboard shelters. With nothing but scotch tapes and boxes available, they built a city of cardboard homes. A few minutes after they finished their houses, rain started to fall leaving them no choice but to salvage their boxes and bring it to the nearest covered areas. Wet and cold, they begin to understand how vulnerable homeless people are to the elements. After the rain, they again went out to rebuild their houses, but already in the darkness of night. Meal was served to them that early evening. While having their dinner, they also wrote prayers on a piece of paper. These prayers are for the poor people they personally know, or for anybody who is in need of their prayers.
At seven o’clock in the evening, all the participants gathered around the fire for a paraliturgical activity. During this activity, the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 25 verses 31-46 was read. It was about the corporal works of mercy. Right before the end of the paraliturgy, participants were invited to get a pinch of incense. They wrapped the incense with the piece of paper with their written prayer and threw them into the fire. After the paraliturgy, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for two-and-a-half hours at Mt. Carmel Cathedral. Participants were divided into five groups wherein each group had an opportunity to adore Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament. There were those who sang during the adoration adding solemnity and beauty in that prayerful and blessed night. The night ended at eleven o’clock in the evening.
The following day, participants woke up at six thirty in the morning to prepare for the next activity. This time, to experience how it is to ask people for money. After each Mass, participants gathered near the cathedral exits, and as the people walked out the youth asked them for money. The money they collected were gathered to be donated to Karidat, the social action arm of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. All in all, the youth were able to collect the total amount of $2,000.00 that weekend.
We are grateful to Catholic Extension for the grant given to our youth ministry in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa. Without the help of our generous donors, we would never have accomplished such an endeavor with grate ease. We are also grateful to the many volunteers who offered their time, talents, and strength from preparatory stages until the end of the program. We are grateful for the speaker who opened our eyes about the reality of homelessness and poverty. We thank Bishop Ryan Jimenez, the bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa for his unwavering support to our youth. Un dangkulu na Si Yu’us Ma’asi todus.
