Armour of God Confirmation Camp 2016
From the 8th till the 11th of June, 60 confirmands attended the Johor Confirmation Camp 2016 in Majodi Centre. For the first time, confirmands from the Church of the Immaculate Conception JB, St. Joseph’s Church Plentong, St. Theresa’s Church Masai, Holy Family Church Ulu Tiram, Church of Christ the King Kulai and St Philip’s Church Segamat gathered together for this camp that prepared them to be soldiers of God. The camp, entitled the ‘Armour of God’ took inspiration from Ephesians 6:10-17.
Throughout the camp, the confirmands learned about the 6 pieces of the Armour of God and how important they were in our lives. For the Shield of Faith, they were taken on a trust walk which was connected to our journey of faith. In the Helmet of Salvation, were given a quiz to measure how much they knew about various aspects of the Catholic Church. Father Simon Yong then shared on the History of the Church. Before Mass for the second day, Father Simon also gave insight into the beauty of the Mass during his Walking Thru the Mass session. On the second night, parishioners from the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph’s Church joined in for the Breastplate of Righteousness. They and the youth facilitators prayed over the confirmands individually in a session filled with God’s grace. Enita Adelyn Netto said, “I really felt connected to God and felt peaceful and strengthened after the session.”
During the Belt of Truth session, the confirmands engaged in discusssions on different topics of sexuality and relationships. In was indeed, eye opening to hear all their opinions on subjects such as abortion, premarital sex and premarital cohabitation. The final session on Shoes of Zeal allowed the confirmands to tell their testimonies on how God has worked in their lives. Besides these sessions, the confirmands read and shared the bible in groups every morning as part of the Sword of the Spirit.
The camp also had adoration and praise and worship led by Christopher Felix and John Paul Felix from St Thomas More Subang Jaya. They were able to help the confirmands open up during prayer and pour all their praise and thanksgiving to God. The confirmands were also able to receive the sacrament of reconciliation on the third day. Later that night, during the Festival of Praise, they danced, sang and acted performances that were not only entertaining and sometimes hilarious, but also evangelistic in nature.
For the potluck on the final day, many parents arrived with delicious dishes. As the parents attended a Parents’ Session, the confirmands enjoyed an interview with Bishop Bernard Paul where they had their questions answered. Everyone then joined in for the Closing Mass celebrated by Bishop Bernard.
Jearon Liew said, “The camp has given me a deeper knowledge about our Catholic faith.” Ashviiyn Krish Vijey added, “I feel my faith in Christ strengthened and I’m’ ready for confirmation.”