Chikmagalur Diocese

Indian Catholic Youth Movement
The Report of the Youth Convention

August 9th - 10th, 2013 : The Youth Convention of Chikmagalur began on 9th August, 2013 from 8 am to 10 am registration committee under the leadership of Fr. Vincent D’Souza worked out so well and from 10 to 11 am praise and worship and ice breaking session led by Mr. Anil Furtado and his companions with melodious band from Chikmagalur under the leadership of Fr. Ronald Veigas and Ms. Jovita from Mangalore.

Sharp at 11.15 am the inauguration took place. The prayer dance was from Mudigere Youth and Fr. Arogyaraj SDB, welcomed the guests and the gathering. After the lighting the lamp from the dignitaries the inaugural talk was given by Fr. Felix Thomas Rosario and the Chief Guest Mr. B.B. Ningayya, MLA of Mudigere addressed the Youth and encouraged them challenging to face the world. Rev. Fr. Mari Joseph, Regional Youth Director also addressed the Youth and instructed them to take part in the convention with full mind, heart and soul. Then the Diocesan Youth Director Fr. William Pereira addressed the Youth telling them the purpose of the Convention and the rules and regulation the Youth has to follow during the Convention and the stage programme was concluded with vote of thanks by the President of diocesan ICYM Mr. Arun Ambrose. The Theme Song inaugurated and the Youth of Alphonsenagar danced to the tunes under the leadership of Sr. Jyothi Krupa.

The 1st Session began at 1 p.m. The session was Moderated by Fr. Stany Cardoza who introduced the resource person Fr. Cyril Meneges, SJ Hassan who talked about the Theme of the Convention “Youth as a Model of Faith”. He highlighted the examples from the Bible and leader in the Bible and talked how should be the future leaders. At 2 p.m. they broke away for lunch break and animation.

The 2nd session was from 2.30 to 3.45 p.m. The Moderation of this session was done by Fr. Robert D’Souza of Ujire Parish College, who welcomed Mr. Arun Fernandes from Thakode, Mangalore who spoke about the Leadership Qualities and how to be good leaders in the present Society and lot of questions were answered by him.

3rd Session was of Fr. Felix Thomas Rosario, CMSSS the director, about the IAS/KAS/IPS and other opportunities for youth to get the jobs in the State Government and in the public offices.

The 4th Session was moderated by Fr. Arogyaraj SDB, and resource person was Fr. Ronald Veigas, the Youth Director of Shimoga, who spoke to the youth about “You-Cat” and the problems faced by the present youth and their solutions.

From 6 to 6.40 p.m. youth went for bath and refreshing themselves and it was followed by Holy Rosary conducted by Fr. Paul D’Souza and liturgy for Holy Mass also was prepared and conducted meaningfully.

From 7 p.m. to 8.15p.m. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated. Main celebrant was Fr. Mari Joseph the Regional Director. He preached about how the youth should be in today’s society dedicated and prayerful.

After Supper from 9 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. cultural programme was organized. Programme was moderated by Fr. Marcel Pinto, Fr. Isac and Ms. Jessy from Alphonsenagar. Nearly 19 parishes out of 30, performed different varieties of programmes within the stipulated seven minutes. And by 11.30 p.m. thanked God for the wonderful day and all went to bed.

On 10/08/2013 Saturday morning Fr. Arogyaraj SDB and Fr. William Pereira conducted Morning Prayer with the day’s Breviary prayer and Nature Meditation. From 7.30 a.m. to 9.15 a.m. 5th Session “Debate on Media and its impact on youth” moderated by Fr. Stany Cardoza and resource person was Fr. Clarence Dias of the Diocese of Shimoga. He stressed on how the youth should use media and not get used by it.

After the breakfast from 10 to 10.45 a.m. 6th Session was on “Pro-life” and moderation was done by Fr. William Pereira and the resource person was Mrs. Manjula Joy, who talked about the importance of life and its protection.

Followed by the session we had silent procession in the streets of Mudigere with placards and banners having the slogans like, “Repair the roads and avoid accidents”, “Bruna Hathye mahapapa”… etc. Then we had the imprinting of palms on the Banner as a souvenir for the Youth Convention.

From 12 to 1.15 p.m. Fr. William Pereira, DYD celebrated the Holy Mass with eight other priests and gave the lighting candles to all youth and commended them to preserve and take the light to their parishes and to the whole world.

After Lunch Fr. Paul D’Souza conducted the Evaluation of the Two days Convention selecting some youth from selected parishes. The next convention in 2015 was to be hosted by Fr. Paul D’Souza and the Sisters of Kallathipura and this was solemnly announced and a lighted lamp was handed over by Fr. Lancy Pinto and Sr. Flocy which was a symbolic handing over from mudigere to kallathipura.

Two people were felicitated for their great service to ICYM Chikmagalur. 1. Mr. Anil Tauro, Koppa Parish for serving the diocesan ICYM for nearly 8 years as well as at the National level. 2. Mr. Anil Furtado for the Theme song, choreography, Lyrics and music, and his continuous services for the ICYM Chikmagalur.

Finally I, Fr. William Pereira, DYD thanked everybody who were the cause of the success of the Youth Convention 2013. First of all to the Bishop of Chikmagalur Most Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Swamy, for his prayers and valuable support in all the ways possible. Special thanks was mentioned to Fr. Lancy Pinto and the Parish Council Members who had arranged it so beautifully. He also thanked all Fathers Fr. Antony Pinto, Fr. Vincent D’Souza, Fr. Marcel Pinto (Kalasa), Fr. Paul D’Souza, Fr. Stany Cardoza, Fr. Isac (Matasagara), Fr. J.B. Gonsalves, for being with me on both the days. Fr. Felix Thomas Rosario, Fr. Vijay Kumar and Fr. Dennis Lobo for being with me first day and all the parish priests for sending their youth and support. The convention was declared closed by 3.30 p.m.