KAYA Youth… Offering Their Time, Talents, and Treasures for the Service of Christ (KAYA 32)

Kuching Archdiocesan Youth Apostolate 32 (KAYA32):
KAYA Youth… Offering Their Time, Talents, and Treasures for the Service of Christ

Kota Padawan: The 32nd Kuching Archdiocesan Youth Apostolate (KAYA32) came to an end on Monday, 23 April 2026. Organized by the Kuching Archdiocesan Youth Commission (KAYC), the program was actively attended by 94 youth participants, 91 from the Archdiocese of Kuching, and 1 each from Kota Kinabalu, Sibu, and Keningau.

The program went smoothly and meaningfully through the generous support of 34 full-time servants and 20 part-time servants, most of whom are AKAYA members, meaning graduates of KAYA programs from past batches. 

Participants and servants alike, all these awesome young people have offered their time, talents, and treasures for the service of Christ. Indeed, it has been another living testimony of Christ-centered servant leadership from young Catholics.

As a practice done year after year, KAYA began with a gotong-royong (communal preparations and cleaning up) in St Lukas Centre, Kota Padawan. It happened last 18 February which happens to be Ash Wednesday. What a fittingly meaningful way to begin the lenten season!

From 19 to 22 February, preparations of people, of the place and of the program were conducted by the servants. Especially the full time servants, they underwent the servant-leadership formation sessions during those days. Part of such was the “washing of the feet” ceremony. Following the example of Jesus, our model and master, the servants felt touched and motivated to serve with humility, dedication and joy.

In the afternoon of Sunday, 22 February 2026, the participants coming from various parishes and kampungs arrived in St Lukas centre feeling excited with a bit of anxiety. KAYA 32 kicked off with no less than the celebration of the Opening Mass with our dear Abp. Simon Poh as main presider. In his homily, he reminded the youth to use their time, talents, and treasures wisely all throughout this camp, and to do so especially in the spirit of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Doing so will serve as an investment that will surely yield fruits days and years after this KAYA ends. With the theme, “Who do you say I am?”, the youth were called to encounter Jesus and live a life of witnessing and discipleship in their daily lives.

In keeping with the Church’s growth and needs, KAYC continually reviews and renews each KAYA program in order to suit the context of the young people at hand. For the first time in KAYA, this year a new session was introduced, the Conversation in the Spirit. This has emphasized the importance of attentive listening and sharing, in line with the synodal journey of the Church. The youth spent time praying, listening, and discerning together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Another new thing in this year’s KAYA is a session on exposure to the issue of human trafficking which has raised the youth’s awareness of pressing social concerns. 

Allow me to get personal…. From my years of serving in KAYA, I have come to see that this program is more than just an activity; it is a transformative journey of faith. Participants grow not only spiritually, but also socially and holistically. For many servants, KAYA has always been a unique period of renewal. It is here where youth return to serve their co-youth and deepen once again their relationship with God.

During my last Good Morning Talk, that was on March 23, the last day of KAYA 32, I emphasized the importance of sacrifice—both for the people we love and in our service to Christ. Though the path of love and service is not always easy, I firmly believe that by God’s grace and through prayer and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all challenges can be overcome.

It is my hope that the spirit of KAYA will continue to burn in the hearts of every servant and participant, inspiring them to walk faithfully as disciples of Christ and to live out their calling to generously serve with love.

Doing so is the way towards true riches. Truly KAYA!

Easter blessings to all. May God bless you.

Maria Amella
Coordinator, KAYA32

Testimony from KAYA 32 Solidarity Night coordinators: 

From the SN Coordinator, Daniel Abeng…

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) 

Throughout my time at KAYA, this verse played continuously in my head. It felt as if a voice was calling me to do something I wasn’t quite sure about. Was it a genuine calling, or merely a hallucination? As I journeyed through life to find myself, my calling, and my vocation, I encountered several bittersweet challenges. I take this opportunity to share my testimony and my reflections on life before, during, and after joining KAYA. 

My Journey of Service

Before discovering KAYA, I served in youth organizations. It began with the Legion of Mary at St. Joseph Secondary School. After graduating, I continued my journey of service at Labuan Matriculation College with the Catholic Student Group (CSG). Now, I am currently serving in the Catholic Student Fellowship (CSF) at UNIMAS. All of these service experiences were, in some ways, God’s way of preparing me for something even greater than I expected. I have come to associate my journey with hope and profound wisdom—a gift from God that has helped me endure my life experiences. At the age of 16, I had a strong desire to join the Franciscan Order. I believed it was my calling and my vocation. However, as I did my research, I realized that joining the Franciscans would be quite expensive, as I would need to go to Singapore. Where would I get the money? Where would I find the support I need? Furthermore, I felt I was still young and needed to focus on my studies first. So, I set the idea aside. I asked Jesus for help, but it seemed to me that He wasn’t really listening—at least, that’s what I thought. Yet, I kept praying to Him to show me the way, as the Bible teaches: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you.” (Matthew 7:7). 

The Darkest Moment: 

After years of offering the same prayer, I grew bored. At one point, I felt that everything I was doing was a waste of time. I lost hope and entered the darkest moment of my life. I fell into despair, feeling completely alone and abandoned by God. As time passed, I had a sudden realization: God speaks to me through other people. Falling into despair and thinking God was ignoring me made me realize that He works in wondrous and mysterious ways. Probably by the work of the Holy Spirit, a friend introduced me to KAYA. Without hesitation, I signed up. During the first week, many signs were shown to me. I didn’t realize they were signs at that time; I thought they were just coincidences, so I chose to ignore them. During that first week, Father Ramon said, “We are created in the image of God.” I understood his words, but the statement left me with questions: In what way are we created in the likeness of God? 

The Turning Point: 

Then came that momentous Holy Hour. “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)—this is a powerful verse that I reflected on during that Holy Hour, a period of prayer and adoration before our Eucharistic Lord.

 Embraced by silence, I gazed upon the Body of Christ. In that same silence, I prayed without ceasing, “Jesus, I beg you, help me in my distress.” Suddenly, my heart fell still, my body froze, and my mind went blank. A faint voice echoed, piercing my heart: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10). My mouth and my heart uttered those words simultaneously. At that moment, I realized I needed to listen to God. I realized I had never given Him the chance to speak. I was selfish and egoistical, always demanding that God listen to me and grant my requests; yet I never stopped to pause and listen to Him. 

At that moment, I understood what God wanted from me. He wanted ‘me’. He wanted me to offer myself to Him. But how? During the Vocation Journey, we visited the Carmelite Chapel. I was struck by the words of Sister Karen: “Jesus, I want to do your will.” 

That was it! That was the answer I had been searching for. Instead of praying, “God, please give me what I want,” I should have humbled myself and prayed, “Jesus, I want to do your will.” From then on, I uttered that prayer unceasingly.

Answering the Call: 

In the second week of KAYA, the Holy Hour was once again the moment I anticipated most. I felt a nudge in my heart to meet a sister named Sister Christina. She is a Franciscan sister from the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis Sarawak. During our personal sharing session, she said, “Serve the local.” These words echoed in my head as if this was what I was meant to do—an act of charity and sacrifice to fulfill God’s will. Throughout the weekends of the second and third weeks of KAYA, we were sent for outreach. We participated in two types of programs: city parish immersion-outreach and outstation parish immersion-outreach. For the city immersion-outreach, I was assigned to Kampung Semaba under Sacred Heart Parish. For the outstation immersion-outreach, I was sent to Kampung Sebangkui, Serian, under St. Theresa Parish. Notably, I was chosen as the leader for both outreach groups. After serving in both locations, I finally admitted with a joyful heart: this is it. This is what God wants from me—to serve others. I know the Holy Spirit is truly working in me. Nothing is greater than being merciful and loving to His creation. That is Jesus. They see Jesus in us—the ones who bring them joy, not out of obligation, but out of a willing heart to do His work. And we see Jesus in them. “Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40). In their hardships, sadness, and anxieties, we bring them light and hope. We are comforters in times of grief, providers for the hungry, and a light in the darkness. That is the mystery of Genesis 1:26, which speaks of us as created in the image and likeness of God. 

Spiritual Heart and Work: 

Aside from our immersion-outreach weekends, we also had a day for community service. I felt blessed to serve at the Home of Santa Clara, where I met the sick and elderly sisters. One sister invited us to pray in the chapel. Before we began, she asked, “Why do we pray?” The most obvious answer is that it is how we communicate with God. She shared a most impactful quote: “If our mind is spiritual, our heart and work are also spiritual.” Because God is so powerful, He showed me how this quote becomes alive in the sisters of Santa Clara convent. Even when they were sick and bedridden, they never forgot to pray. That is the true meaning of a spiritual mind leading to a spiritual heart and work. Oh, how beautiful You are, Jesus!

My “Fiat”: 

Solidarity Night is a highlight and a tradition of every KAYA. Participants are given the opportunity to manage the whole event. As we know, when the Holy Spirit is at work, nothing can stop Him. After everything that had happened, God had actually prepared me. With God’s blessing, I was elected as the Coordinator for the Solidarity Night of KAYA 32. The Holy Spirit did not stop there. As the coordinator, we needed a theme. While brainstorming, I found myself praying the Angelus in my head: Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. That phrase struck me. It means, “Let it be done unto me according to Thy word.” In other words, it was Mary’s “yes” (fiat) to God. 

I chose “Fiat” as the theme for KAYA 32 Solidarity Night. Mary’s “yes” made her God’s dwelling place. As Mary welcomed Jesus in her womb, may we also welcome Jesus in our hearts. 

As Jesus dwells in us, we carry Him everywhere. When we bring Jesus with us, I am certain that the Holy Spirit will come upon us, and the power of the Most High will also overshadow us (Luke 1:35). 

Final Reflection: 

After all the events that occurred throughout KAYA, I realized that I did indeed serve the locals. I listened to His voice, I answered His call to serve the local, and I did His will. How great Thou art, Jesus! After all my struggles to know God on a personal level, I finally found Him. He knew me before I was born, and as His creation, I will always love Him. As I thirst for God, I will praise Him as long as I live. Mary’s fiat, my fiat, our fiat! 

Written by: Daniel Abeng Anak Asin (SN Coordinator) 

From the SN Vice Coordinator, Michaelina Rowena…

Reflecting on my journey throughout the KAYA 32 program, I realize that this was not just an ordinary program, but a deeply spiritual pilgrimage, one in which God Himself has guided me dearly, step by step. I arrived with an ordinary heart, unsure of what to expect, and I left with a heart that has been touched, broken open to be healed, and filled anew with God’s love.

In Week 1 at ACCPC, the theme of vocation opened my eyes to God’s personal call. I understood that God calls me not because I am perfect or worthy, but because His love is infinite. It was a gentle invitation to say a small but sincere “yes” to Him: Lord, I am Yours. This was the first step in my journey of surrendering my life to God, a moment of humility and trust.

Moving into Week 2 at Gethsemane Pilgrimage Centre, Bunan Gega, my faith deepened profoundly. It felt as if I was walking with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, a place of surrender, trust, and prayer. In the Conversation in the Spirit session then and there, I learned the importance of listening not only to others but also to the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit within my heart. God often speaks in silence, in stillness, and in the honesty of shared experiences. During the Stations of the Cross, I walked spiritually with Jesus in His suffering. Each station reflected not only His journey but also my own struggles, wounds, and personal crosses. I could feel the heaviness of my burdens mirrored in His pain, yet I also experienced the unwavering love of Christ walking beside me. Even in my weakness, I realized that He never abandons me, inviting me to trust Him completely.

In Week 3 at Redbee Camp, Sampadi, I experienced the beauty of community. Through both laughter and tiredness, through personal moments and group activities amidst the beauty of nature, I saw Christ in each person, their joys, struggles, and faith.

Days followed were days filled with meaningful sessions that taught us about prayer, leadership, and living our faith in practical ways. 

We had group games that encouraged teamwork, patience, and fun; while daily cleaning tasks reminded us of humility, service, and caring for our shared space. I realized that faith is not meant to be lived alone; God’s love is revealed through the people He places in our lives.

The pinnacle of my journey came in Week 4, during Solidarity Night, where I was entrusted to serve as Vice Coordinator for KAYA 32 SN. Initially, I felt unworthy and filled with doubts. But it was in that very weakness that God revealed a profound truth: service is not about my abilities, but about my availability. Amid exhaustion, pressure, and sacrifice, I experienced God’s presence and  sufficient grace. Indeed, God alone is enough. I learned that leadership is not control, but humble service rooted in love and trust in God’s plan.

Throughout all these weeks, daily Mass became my source of strength and renewal. Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist reminded me that I am never alone in this journey. Each evening, we prayed the Rosary, including ‘Walking Rosary’, a completely new experience for me. As we walked while meditating on each mystery, I felt as though each step brought me closer to Jesus, guided tenderly by Mother Mary. It was a moving reminder that my life is a journey with God, and I am never walking alone.

Other activities, such as Holy Hour, Praise and Worship, Taizé, and Divine Mercy, became deeply personal encounters with God. In the Holy Hour, sitting in silence before the Blessed Sacrament, I allowed myself to simply be loved by Jesus, feeling my heart unburdened and renewed. In Praise and Worship, my heart overflowed with joy, lifting every worry to God in song. In Taizé, I encountered God in silence and surrender, and in Divine Mercy, I experienced a love so healing that it reminded me of God’s unending forgiveness.

My experience on City Immersion-Outreach at Sacred Heart, Semeba, and Kampung Immersion-Outreach at Kampung Biawak, Lundu, opened my eyes to Christ’s presence in everyone I met. Through simple acts of service, smiling, sharing, helping, I realized that I was not just helping others, but truly encountering Jesus Himself in them. These moments humbled me and showed me that God works in every small gesture of love.

Through all these experiences, I have learned that faith is not just about knowing God, but about encountering Him personally. It is about falling and rising again, being wounded and healed, and learning how to love as Christ loves. Today, I stand transformed not by my own strength, but by God’s grace. I came with an empty heart, and I left with a heart full of love, hope, and a deep desire to continue walking with Him.

With humility and faith, I continue to say: “FIAT”, let it be done to me according to Your will.

Written by: Michaelina Rowena Anak Mamai (Vice SN Coordinator)