Youth
"In Solidarity with the Poor"
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Articles:
What's in Line for '99
The BLESSed Seminar
At present, almost half of the Philippine population is comprised
of young people. That's why the Tahanan youth play a vital role in shaping Tahanan'
future. Here, you can see them planning, playing and praying. 
Right: Youth Planning
Left: San Antonio de Padua at Parañaque during their Valentine meeting
The following pictures are of different sport and summer events
for the Tahanan Youth. Click on them to enlarge.
What's in line for
'99?
This article was featured in the February 1999 issue of the TNP
Balitang Kapit-Bahay Newsletter
"A minor revival is going on among the youth in many areas in
Tahanan," Dave O'Connor, TNP Overall Youth Director, observes. "The youth
are mor active, more enthusiastic." Last year the membership grew from 340 to
more than 400 members through the BLESS seminars conducted in various areas.
Looking back at '98, there were many answered prayers including some youth members graduating, some passed their board exams, and many members getting jobs. In some areas, the bible study meetings were very fruitful and there were fellowship opportunities with other PIM groups, especially Lingkod servants volunteered last year upping their number to 24. Dave commended their commitment to their service. "Part of their responsibility is to visit their assigned area weekly or every other week and get to know the youth, help organize and plan their meetings, and support the older youth members."
A youth planning meeting was held last Dec. 16 to evaluate the
year's activities and to plan for the year ahead. One recommendation from the
Tahanan youth, was for a monthly gathering to provide more substantial teaching for the
older members, those 18 and above 
who have been with Tahanan for a couple of years already. The first
of these monthly meetings was held the last Sunday in January 1999 and was conducted by
Dave and Noel Tamin, a former CYA
staffer.
Another objective borne out of the planning meeting was to get more members, especially the new ones, actively involved in service. Dave, who visited the Pasay area recently, was happy to see the youth members had signed up for service teams. This was happening in other areas as well. "I spent the weekend in Amparo and what I saw was the best level of taking responsibility that I've seen so far in the year and a half that I've been working in Tahanan."
Other plans for 1999 include more focus on getting the action groups to work better, to hold more big events for all the TNP youth members and an immersion program for Lingkod and CYA members.
The
BLESSed Seminar
This article was featured in the February 1999 issue of the TNP
Balitang Kapit-Bahay Newsletter
The TNP adults and youth were blessed with several 3-day seminars last year. For Tahanan folks, this is commonly called "Bagong Landas ng Espiritu Santo" or BLESS. This Christian Life Program aims to give the older members and the youth an experience of God's love and the power of the Holy Spirit in their life.
There were about 65 participants during one seminar for the youth from 7 TNP areas: Cogeo, St. Joseph, Corazon de Jesus, Maricaban, San Antonio de Padua, Joriz and Della Strada. The event was facilitated by volunteers from Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. There were also BLESS seminars in three other areas, Amparo, Maricaban and E. Rodriguez for Tahanan couples and about 20 young adults. The facilitators for these programs were from Ligaya and Lingkod.
During the seminars, most of the participants were very attentive and enthusiastic. It was apparent that they thirsted for the truth. They were successful events as there were good interaction among participants and facilitators.
Starting last month and continuing up to this February, the Pineda area is having a BLESS seminar headed by Ral Arrogante, a volunteer from Ligaya. This seminar is both for Tahanan couples and the youth.