2000

The Great Jubilee Year 2000 was an historic year for the FYA and for the entire Church. On the Feast of the Annunciation, Jennifer and Ferdinand Velasco were married at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, with the entire FYA present. After being blessed by the Pope during their honeymoon, they returned to New York, bringing back the spirit of the Great Jubilee.

The month of May saw the passing of our beloved Cardinal O'Connor. Many members of the FYA were among the thousands of New Yorkers who paid their respects during the wake services. We will always be indebted to His Eminence for establishing the Filipino Apostolate and for his inspiration.

In June, the Most Rev. Edward Egan was installed as the 12th archbishop of New York. Representing the Filipino Community, Ferdi Velasco read the Tagalog intercession during the Prayer of the Faithful at the Rite of Installation on June 18.

Later that month, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, the FYA choir joined the St. Patrick's Cathedral choir in singing for the Solemn Pontifical Mass and Benediction.

In August, the FYA joined the New York delegation in a pilgrimage to Rome for the XV World Youth Day, an unforgettable encounter with two million young people and the Holy Father. Together with other pilgrims from New York , the FYA had the incredible honor of performing with the Irish singer Dana in the opening ceremonies of the WYD, the largest gathering at St. Peter's Basilica for the Jubilee and in the history of the Vatican.

Compiling photographs from the WYD and the Holy Father's homilies, the group created a souvenir journal which they presented to Archbishop Edward Egan as a gift during the Filipino Mass in celebration of the Jubilee of Filipino immigrants at St. Patrick's Cathedral in September. The Archbishop, an accomplished musician, was filled with praise for the FYA choir, which sang Mozart's "Ave Verum" and an original motet composed especially for the Jubilee by Hector Martinez.

As the end of the Jubilee Year neared, it became time for change in the leadership of the FYA. After five years of nurturing the apostolate, Ferdi Velasco stepped down and called for elections of new officers. He believed that the FYA would have an even greater opportunity for growth under a younger generation of leaders.

The group held their elections during a Fall retreat in the scenic Pocono mountains and chose Peter Mercado as Ferdi's successor. They also elected officers to be in charge of liturgy, music and social committees. These young people will now have the awesome responsibility of leading the FYA into the third millennium and carrying out the mission that our Lord entrusted to his apostles: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

Checkout pictures from the 2000 Galleries | Go to TOP

The Filipino Youth Apostolate History
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