On the evening of 22 November, the Church of St Francis Xavier, Petaling Jaya (SFX PJ) opened its doors for Beacons of Hope: Journeying with Youth held under the Petaling District Council’s Pilgrims of Hope 2025 initiative. To accompany young people in creating a hope-filled future is one of the four Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs). The other three UAPs are to show the way to God, to walk with the poor and the excluded, and to care for our common home. Jointly organised across various SFX ministries—Lifeline, Life Teen, Yang Diutus, Catholic Students Society and Social Communications Ministry—the event aimed to bridge generations, bringing youth, adults, and seniors into one shared space of faith, conversation, and creativity.
The evening started with a delicious spread of nasi lemak, sandwiches, and homemade cakes. During dinner, Loyola Hall was abuzz with four interactive activity stations for participants to connect and collaborate. At the “TikTok reel” corner, the Berchmans Altar Servers Society led in creating videos to capture memories of the evening. The “Community Paint Together” station brought together parishioners of all ages, inviting them to join in a collective artistic experience. Every brushstroke reflected the unique perspectives of young and old alike, symbolising the unity and creativity fostered within the parish community. The lesson of this activity was not lost –- working together across generations created a more powerful and inclusive impact.
Meanwhile, the photo booth with Luce & Friends characters offered the young and old a chance to snap keepsakes with the official mascot for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year. Interactive displays showcased youth perspectives on being Catholic using mobile apps and digital screens, thus opening a window for older parishioners to see how young people expressed their faith. These activities transformed the evening into a joyful, collaborative experience of learning, laughter, and faith across generations.
The event began with a Praise & Worship session led by Yang DiUtus Ministry, creating a joyful and reverent atmosphere for the evening. As a prelude to the talk by parish priest Fr Alvin Ng SJ, the SFX ministries presented a short video capturing intergenerational conversations between SFX parishioners about key challenges and issues facing the youths in the church.
After the video, Fr Ng delivered an enlightening talk that became the evening’s spiritual anchor. He reminded the congregation that every stage of life calls for our best — that age is not a limitation but a vocation.
“Youth is not merely the future; it is the “now” of God,” said Fr Ng. He urged them to step off the balcony of observation, avoid confusing comfort with true joy, and resist living life behind screens. He cited the video’s intergenerational message to illustrate practical ways parishes can support youth formation and participation today. He also called for all generations to commit to an active participation in parish life—each offering gifts that the community needs today.
Passing of light and faith
After the talk, SFX teens galvanised the audience with an engaging “Rain & Rhythm” group dance performance. The evening culminated in a group sing-along of “Pass It On”, a symbolic moment where voices rose in unison to celebrate the passing of light and faith from one generation to the next.
Beacons of Hope at SFX PJ clearly showed how parish communities can be living beacons—bridging past and future, preserving treasured traditions, and empowering a Synodal Church where every voice matters. The evening was a reminder that when youth, adults, and seniors gather with intention, the Church becomes a sign of hope for the nation and for generations yet to come.
“It was an enjoyable, inspirational event, and the fine mix of different age groups was superb. The Praise & Worship was my favourite part. The ‘Pass It On’ sing-along session was absolutely brilliant with such a strong message!” shared Grace Nair of Good Shepherd Section 5 Basic Ecclesiastical Community (BEC).
Ann Teoh from SS2 St Michael BEC added: “It was heartening to see so many young people at Loyola Hall, along with the older parishioners whom I am more familiar with. The evening was such a wonderful opportunity for the youth to take charge, reassuring us older folk that they are already responsible leaders and truly our beacons of hope.”
For the young parishioners, the event provided a platform to connect with people across generations.
“I felt so touched seeing our senior citizens trying to bond with us, in the same way we try to bond with them. Even though building that connection takes time, the evening showed me that it can happen,” said Natassia of the Catholic Students Society.
Rebecca Chin from Lifeline shared: “Beacons of Hope seemed like the beginning of something we have been waiting for. As youth, we need adults who will walk with us, understand us, and give us the space Jesus gave. We will always need guidance, and I truly hope this is where that journey finally begins.”
