Gulbarga Diocese
Decennial Celebration of YUVACHETANA, Gulbarga Diocese.
Gulbarga Diocese Feb 2 2009 Youth are not USELESS but they are USED LESS, youth are not CARELESS, but they are CARED LESS.” “Dream, dream, dream, and convert these dreams into actions,” says Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam. Youth are the lifeline and the backbones of the society. A healthy bunch of youth sets stage for a healthy and sound society. Every age has witnessed various marvels from the youth of their age. So too the youth are not untouchables for the Catholic Church, but de facto they are the very cream, life and the strength of the Church. Hence, formation of youth becomes the one of the primary mission of the Church. The Catholic Church in India caters to the needs of her youth through Indian Catholic Youth Movement which has networking in all the dioceses of India.
The Catholic Diocese of Gulbarga which is in its infant stage too has a mighty mission of forming and guiding its youth. Realizing this arrant need Rev Sr Diana Serrao, a young nun from Bethany Congregation took up the herculean task of gathering the local youth of Bidar Mission in 1998 under the banner of YUVA CHETANA which yielded rich and abundant fruits. She gave them faith formation, vocational training and made them self sufficient. This youth movement became a boon for the newly formed diocese of Gulbarga in its mission, which affiliated it to the Indian Catholic Youth Movement.
On 1st of February, 2009, Yuvachetana celebrated the Decennial celebration of its birth. Rev Fr Simon D’ Souza, the Gulbarga Diocesan Youth Director organized a three day celebration on 30th, 31 January and 1st February. Hundred and eighty youth from various ICYM units of Gulbarga Diocese participated in various sport, games and other cultural events on 31st of January. The undaunted spirit of youth was admired by all. The youth put up an astounding performance in March Past, Race, Shot-put, Discuss Throw, Sack Race, Three Leg Race, Tug of War, Volleyball, and Throw-ball. Their team and sport spirit was duly encouraged enhanced and appropriately steered by the animators under the sweltering sun. Pick & Speak, Pick & Act, and Model Demonstration unfurled the amazing veiled talents, eloquence and creativeness of the vibrant youth. Quiz on Pauline Epistles provided an opportunity to know the great missionary and his writings in the Scripture.
The dawn of 01.02.2009 was a red letter day for Yuvachetana. The much awaiting moments of celebrations commenced with the due spiritual animation given by the Karnataka Regional Youth Director, Rev Fr Franklin D’Souza. The joy of the decennial celebration was doubled and all the youth were spiritually saturated by the Holy Eucharist offered by His Excellency Rt Rev Dr Robert Miranda, the Bishop of Gulbarga. The presence of diocesan priests enhanced the entire Eucharistic celebration. Rev Fr Victor Machado, the Episcopal Vicar of Gulbarga Deanery, stressed the role of youth in Catholic Church in his well articulated talk. Rev Fr Anil Prasad headed the Evaluation and Future Planning session. The exhibition put by the various centres embellished the very purpose meaning of Youth day celebrations. The sparkling cultural programme was set in motion by welcoming the President of the function Rt Rev Robert Miranda. The welcoming procession was led by the Bosco Band of Don Bosco Child Labour School, Bidar. Humnabad ICYM unit prayed for the grace of God through the prayer dance. All the luminaries and guests were welcomed by the Bidar ICYM unit through a welcome dance. Fr Simon D’Souza, the Director of Yuvachetana appositely portrayed the birth, infancy and the adult stage of the Yuvachetana. The entire audio visual was excellently primed by Fr Jagadish Pinto and Br Christuraj Sdb. The skit “Nava Bharathadatta Payana”- “Journey towards New India” put-up by Bidar ICYM unit promoted religious harmony and paved a way for inter-religious dialogue. “Yuva Janaru, Yuva Nayakaru” dance performed by CVTI students fascinated the youth. The stupendous cultural programme staged by the youth left all the dignitaries and the audience spell-bound. The youth who excelled in the field of education, secular life and who rendered spiritual services through Jesus Youth were felicitated for their achievements. Mr. Sunny Shankar, Mr. Shiv Kumar, Mr. Prasanna Prahlad were felicitated for the excellence in the academic and secular field while Mr. Elias Shah was absent for the felicitation. Jesus Youth Mission volunteers- Mr Abraham, Miss Champavathi and Miss Kanthamma were also felicitated for their spiritual service outside the Diocese, while Mr Bhagavanth was absent for the felicitation. Mr Albert Lobo, the first Jesus Youth Mission Volunteer to Bidar deanery was also honoured for the service rendered to the formation of youth.
Rev Fr Santhosh Dias, the Episcopal Vicar for Bidar was the Chief Guest of the function. Mr Aziz Khan, the Manager of Roohi School of Institutions, Rev Fr Franklin D Souza, the Regional Youth Director, Rev Sr Marie Freeda - Diocesan Youth Lady Animator, Rev Fr Simon D’ Souza- the Diocesan Youth Director, Mr Jaywanth - diocesan President and Miss Stella Varghese the diocesan Secretary were the esteemed guests who bejeweled the dais. His Excellency Rt Rev Dr Robert Miranda, after releasing the souvenir to mark this great event, praised the contributions of the youth to the diocese. In his presidential address, he urged them to be the leaders of the society through their invaluable services.
Miss Sangeetha and Mr Sunil compeered the ceremony. Rev Fr Simon D’ Souza thanked all those who worked for the success of this great event. The entire pogramme was arranged in the precincts of St Joseph’s Composite P U College, Bidar. Santhosh Digital Studio - Video, Bantwal, captured the golden moments of entire decennial programme.