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25th October 2008
By Lester J Wan and Clare Tan
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Lester J Wan began his office as full-time Youth Coordinator / Pastoral Worker of Risen Christ in the later part of March 2008.
Having been in Catechesis and youth ministry for some years, he,
together with a few like-minded friends in ministry, agreed there were
many needs of the parish youth scene which needed attention. He began
exploring ways to address these concerns more seriously sometime in end
2006.
Lester’s first course of action was to sound out his thoughts,
concerns and ideas to the priests and the chairman of the Parish
Pastoral Council (PPC). As suggested, he proceeded to carry out his
research into the situations of other parishes compared to Risen
Christ, and to find out more about the basis for hiring in parishes
with full-time or part-time youth workers.
When he presented his findings, the PPC saw that the need in Risen
Christ was undeniable. Furthermore, parishes with lesser need have paid
youth workers, while the prognosis did not look good for some parishes
without.
Lester himself, though, was possibly the last applicant. Although he
was passionate about this need, and had fought for this new role, he
was uncertain if he was the best person for the job, or if that was
what God willed for him. On a parallel path, he has become a lay
Salesian Co-operator of Don Bosco, the first from Singapore or
Malaysia. He intends to eventually go overseas to experience the Work.
Since taking up the role of Youth Coordinator, he has been busy working
with the Youth Council to set up a lasting framework for the youth
scene, including re-looking at the fundamental structure and approach
for ministries, addressing their needs and issues including leadership
training, and building greater coordination and fellowship among
ministries.
Beneficial events have also been staged, including “Postcards
From Paul”, the play by Walk On Water Productions, as well as the
Wonderfully Made Workshop – based on Pope John Paul II’s
Theology of the Body.
The work is genuinely time-consuming and tiring but Lester’s
motivation comes from a sense of purpose. He hopes to lay the
groundwork for the future and hopes that more will rise to the occasion
to dedicate their time and love to ministry, and to guiding the youth
in living their Faith and developing a deep relationship with God.
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