Amazing Race:

Hi, I am Lusia, a member of Gedangan Catholic Youth. You may remember that in the previous edition, I wrote about Gedangan Church. This time, I am back with a different story, although it is still from the same place. I hope you have not forgotten my story as the guide for the Exploring Gedangan event on Internos last August.

I want to share my experiences related to the 150th anniversary celebration of Gedangan Church. I, along with other friends, parish council members, and priests, prepared for an event called the Amazing Race, which aimed to promote health and commemorate the church’s history. This event combines exercise, historical awareness, and community bonding. I am involved in organizing the event, which includes creating challenges and a guidebook for participants.

Participants would walk along different routes with various stops featuring games connected to the church’s history. This interactive approach allows everyone, whether organizers or attendees, to experience the history personally. The activities include solving riddles in Morse code, understanding historical facts, completing crossword puzzles about the church’s journey, assembling puzzles featuring old photographs of the church, and identifying figures from the community’s past.

As the preparations came together, enthusiasm grew among participants, with teams creating cheers and selecting outfits for the day. The atmosphere anticipated a lively gathering, filled with laughter and teamwork, marking not just a healthy outing but also a celebration of unity among the church community.

However, plans faced a setback due to rising tensions in Indonesia, with large demonstrations impacting public events and security concerns. As a result, the Amazing Race had to be postponed, disappointing many participants who had diligently prepared for the event. Though I acknowledge the disappointment, I emphasize that safety must take precedence over celebrations. I reflect on the importance of this event as a symbol of spiritual journey and community connection, despite the delay.

I find comfort in knowing that the event can still take place in the future and that its essence remains intact. The church’s history will live on through the faithful participation of its members. While this pause may be due to circumstances beyond control, it serves as a moment to prepare spirits and hearts for future gatherings. The spirit of the Ignatian philosophy reminds everyone to seek God in all things, including the challenges of missed opportunities.

Contributor: Lusia Pamungkas – Gedangan Muda