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Going into Formation
Weekend, I had no prior inclinations or expectations of what would
happen over the next couple of days (besides the fact that I was
extremely excited to be on board). I met some new people who were
seasoned members of Dong Hanh, but I also got to reconnect with good
friends of the current Dong Hanh Youth and Young Adults (YaYA)
sector.
The opportunity to interact with the older Dong Hanh members that
would form the team of Ban Huan Luyen Vung Tay Nam gave me a better
understanding of the concerns and interests that Dong Hanh currently
has in shaping the Dong Hanh YaYA Regional Team. To be able to hear
first-hand of each of their experiences and hopes for the youth and
young adult community was extremely touching. As the younger group
of us shared about our appreciation of the Dong Hanh community’s
ability to incorporate family life into their events, the older
group replied with their appreciation and supportiveness of our
willingness to contribute to the future success of the YaYA Team.
Despite of the difference in age groups, everyone there was
generally on the same page. There was a common vision for the future
of the current youth and young adults of Dong Hanh as well as the
Catholic community on the whole, which played a big part in making
this Formation Weekend a very productive and enlightening experience
for me.
Before the weekend, we were all asked to take the Meyers-Briggs
personality test, and bring the test results with us. When we got
there, Cha Tri asked us to present our results and share with each
other what we agreed with (or didn’t agree with) according to the
printed results. As we went around in a circle, each person
describing their Meyers-Briggs Personality Type, it was much easier
for me to understand and get to know each person better, based on
the descriptions they presented. Some self-explanatory examples of
the different personality types were: ISTJ – The Duty Fulfillers,
INTJ – The Systematic Thinkers (Scientists), ISFJ – The Nurturers,
ENFP – The Inspirers, ENFJ – The Givers; among others that are not
so self-explanatory.
This activity is one I really enjoyed. Not only did it give me the
chance to reveal my true self to others without fear of being
misunderstood (a big fear for me!), but it also took away the
ambiguity in trying to get to know the other people there.
Furthermore, I found more clarity in understanding myself along the
way. I felt that this exercise was extremely helpful in determining
where each of our strengths or “fortes” lie, which is always a
crucial part in forming a well balanced team.
We were able to celebrate mass every night, which served as a good
reminder for me to always thank and praise God for all the good
things he had been doing for us throughout the weekend. Everyone
would agree that the Holy Spirit was hard at work in each one of us
over the few days we were there. This was most apparent to me when
it came time to choose a main coordinator that would represent the
YaYA Regional Team. We made our nominations the night before and it
boiled down to two people. Then we discerned on it, prayed about it,
and slept on it. The next day, each of us confirmed our decision by
voicing to the group which person we believed would be most suited
for the position. As opposed to the night before, when I felt a
little lost and uncertain of which outcome would be best, the next
day I felt at peace with more clarity as to which direction I was
being pointed toward. While listening to everyone else’s thoughts
and reflecting on my own, I felt that this was truly the Holy Spirit
at work, because we all came to a unanimous decision.
Going into the weekend, I was excited just to be invited to be a
part of the Regional Team. Now after understanding more clearly the
vision and the mission of Dong Hanh YaYA, I feel extremely grateful
and privileged to be part of a team that will be the first of its
kind. What was once a dream is now finally becoming a reality and I
look forward to all the wonderful things God has in store for this
new YaYA Regional Team as well as for all the youth and young adults
across the world.
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