56 participants of the recently concluded SCAP 3^rd Luzon Regional Leadership Conference hosted by the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga last April 22-26, were inspired by Efren Peñaflorida Jr., more popularly known as Kuya Ef.  He is a nominee for CNN Heroes this year and was featured on TV because of his exemplary community service to the street kids in Cavite who were deprived of basic education.    His cause later on led to the creation of the Dynamic Teen Company, a group of committed young people who teach the street children basic reading and writing through the kariton (push cart) full of books.  Basic hygiene later on became part of their lessons addressing health issues among the kids.  This eventually made him the “Kariton Boy” Hero.

Kuya Ef shared a testimony on how a young person like him, who was only 16 years old when he started the “kariton” service, can make a difference in the community.  Kuya Ef indeed was a hero who proved to the SCAns that “Mission is Possible!” (The theme of the conference)

More heroes met in the conference …

With "Mission is Possible" as a theme, the conference started with understanding and appreciating Missiology.  The big and broad word was made easy and practical by Fr. Ramon Ofredo who developed the presentations about missiology.  Most appreciated part was his 3Rs: Reality, Reflection and Response, which was very familiar with SCA as See-Judge-Act Method.   From the basic knowledge and understanding of one’s context, he deeply discerns on what and where God is leading him, then accordingly and guided by His Word and the teachings of the Church, he acts on a mission.

The participants were led to a better and deeper understanding of mission through the testimonies made by the invited sharers during the conference.  Fr. Jose Dizon from the Circles of Discernment and Atty. Eirene Jhone Aguila from Kaya Natin! Movement provided inputs on making Good Governance as a mission.  This was further stressed by Gov. Eddie "Amung Ed" Panlilio, the Governor of Pampanga who shared his journey on how he responded to the mission he received in 2007.

Those who shared during the conference on how they responded on their personal call and mission were indeed heroes worth admiring and imitating.

SCA CALL TO ACTION

9th SCAP National Leadership Conference
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Diocese of San Jose De Antique
14-18 April 2008

We, the 65 student leaders, arch/diocesan coordinators, chaplains and animators of SCA, coming from the 13 member-arch/dioceses representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, participated in the 9th Student Catholic Action of the Philippines National Leadership Conference held at Saint Peter Minor Seminary, San Pedro, San Jose, Antique last April 14-18, 2008.

We gathered together, shared experiences and insights, discussed and studied pressing issues and concerns affecting the environment, prayed together and reflected deeply on the theme:

"PAGYAMANIN ANG BAYAN, ALAGAAN ANG KALIKASAN"

After going through the different exposure areas, witnessing its creative presentation, hearing the results of the pre-conference questionnaire and the inputs shared by the resource persons, we became aware, alarmed, awakened and enlightened about the realities of our environment.

SEE: While there were efforts to care for the environment like reforestation, proper waste management, putting up of advocacy signage and the conduct of symposiums and seminars on environmental awareness, there were also threats against the environment like coastal pollution, illegal logging and illegal fishing, deforestation, improper disposal of wastes and garbage and ignorance which bring about climate change.

JUDGE: After looking at the situation with the eyes of faith, we realized the inter-relationship of everything on earth, thus, the problems affecting the realities experienced at the local level affect nationally and globally. The identified environmental threats have endangered the earth and all the living things in it.

Hence, these concerns are also governance issues of truth, accountability and genuine reform, and we too in the movement are guilty for doing nothing about these concerns on environment as indicated in the arch/diocesan reports. Therefore, we have to respond to these and we have to act on them NOW.

ACT: In response to the prevailing environmental threats and with the identified issues and concerns of the movement, we resolved to work on the following:

1. To create linkages with government, non government and Church-related organizations involved with environmental concern to develop widespread environmental awareness program which must be participated by all members of SCA from local units to the national level

2,  To align or adapt programs with the theme, "Pagyamanin ang Bayan, Alagaan ang Kalikasan"

3. To approve the SCAP Strategic Plan as presented and discussed in the conference;

4.  To approve the SCAP Operations Manual as agreed and modified;

5.   To design concrete steps of action following the APPM framework (Action, Planning, and Performance Management) focused on "Strengthening of the Movement" as indicated in the SCAP Strategic Plan.

We, as the managers of resources of the world have the responsibility to safeguard our environment. We cannot enjoy nature without taking care of it. The call is urgent. We have to act now.

FNYO hosts NYCC 2009

The Federation of National Youth Organizations (FNYO) with which the SCAP is the Council Secretary,  hosted for the first time the annual National Youth Coordinating Council (NYCC) at the Bukal ng Tipan, Taytay, Rizal last April 28 to May 2.

The NYCC, a gathering of the Regional Teams, composed of directors, coordinators and leaders from the different ecclesiastical territories of the Catholic Church, this year focused on the theme, "I am proud of the Good News!"  Considered regions and also part of the NYCC are the FNYO and the Military Ordinariate.  The council aimed: to reflect and pray together, to gather reports, to share on regional issues, concerns and developments, to identify challenges and ways to address them through coming up with resolutions, which the council suggests to the National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate under the CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Youth.

The SCAP represented FNYO as part of the council along with CHIRO Pilipinas, Salesian Youth Movement and the Franciscans Youth.  The Cannosian Youth Movement also attended as observer.  The SCAP National Secretariat helped in the documentation.

 SCA Tagbilaran Team Training on July 15 to 19
 SCA San Fernando Team Training on Sept 16 to 20
 SCA Malaybalay Team Training on Oct 19 to 22
 SCA Bacolod & Kabankalan Team Training on Oct 24 to 28

 *Please contact the national secretariat for scheduling.

If you want to submit originally created articles and reflections just email us and we will be grateful to publish it on sca website.

SCAP Operations Manual. This serves as the guideline book for all SCA members. It contains the detailed information of the roles and functions of animators, chaplains, officers and all those involved in the movement. It also provides information on how local dioceses can organize and mobilize SCA and much more.

3rd Luzon Regional Leadership Conference Final Statement. This contains the recently concluded Regional Conference's Official Statement from the theme, "Mission is Possible" last April 22-26 agreed upon by 56 participants. The statement focuses on good governance and the movement's drive for socio-political involvement essential prior to 2010 elections.

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