Delegate expresses faith in doing hosting duties

CEBU, Philippines – More than 3,200 delegates of the International Eucharistic Congress Youth Day will be greeted by colorful buntings, cultural presentations and well-adorned stages as they arrive today in Lapu-Lapu City.

But behind this festive mood are the men and women, young and old alike, who have shared their time and effort to ensure that things go according to plan.

Leslie Cempron, 18, is among those who will be working behind the busy scenes today.

Before joining the pilgrims' walk during the IEC Youth Day tomorrow, she will keep posted today at the registration booth of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Barangay Pajac to greet arriving delegates from all parts of the world. The parish is one of the five chosen to host the young delegates.

Cempron is excited, she told The FREEMAN, but more than the excitement, she feels being endowed with a huge responsibility with her assigned task.

"Excited ko, at the same time, na-challenge kay maka-meet man gyud ko og lain-lain nga tawo, mga lain-lain og batasan," she said.

Though it will be a challenge to her, Cempron, a lector at the church for two years now, said this will be also a perfect opportunity to express her faith to the Lord.

"Akoa na gyud ning panindigan kay ang akong pag-serve, tinud-anay."

Cempron got involved in religious activities through her mother, Bessie, a lector who is also active in several church events. Before going to school on Saturdays, she finds time to go to the parish first to do her church duties.

"Duha ra mi ka igsoon, ang usa kay sakristan. Akong papa nalang kuwang para mag-alagad sa simbahan," Cempron said.

Her father, Henry, works as a dietary cook at a private hospital in the city and would sometimes get jealous when the rest of the family members spend more time in the church than at home.

Eventually, though, Cempron said her father would just understand them and their duties.

During her elementary years, she said she used to be away from God, to the extent that she didn't even pray, but things changed slowly by the time she got involved in church activities. Now, her prayer is to find acceptance in challenging situations.

On why she has chosen the path that would make her closer to God, Cempron said she got inspired when Pope Francis visited the Philippines last year.

"Bisan og wala siya naabot dinhi sa Cebu, na-realize nako nga akong padayunon kung asa ko karun," she said.

The youth delegates will be housed in the city's five local parishes today and will be given a welcome dinner with a "fiesta" theme.

Mayor Paz Radaza said the dinner will be a "boodle fight" prepared by a women's livelihood group of the city.

Police will be deployed today in the parishes of Virgen Dela Regla in Barangay Poblacion, Sacred Heart Parish in Barangay Marigondon, Mother of Perpetual Help in Barangay Babag, the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Barangay Pajac.

About 200 trained boy scouts and more than 200 emergency responders from the Philippine Red Cross - Lapu-Lapu/Cordova Chapter will  be also deployed in each parish.

Frank Brazil, chief of the City Traffic Management Systems, had   advised motorists to take access roads and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge to avoid getting snagged in the traffic during the pilgrims' walk. (FREEMAN)