Shimoga Diocese

Youth Council held at Yuvamitra, Diocese of Shimoga

February 4, 2026 : The Youth Commission of the Diocese of Shimoga organized it’s first Youth Council of the year at Yuvamitra, Shimoga, on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 9 am to 2 pm.

Council Proceedings: The council began with a hymn invoking the Holy Spirit. Ms. Beena led the prayer and read the word of God from Eph 6: 10-18. Youth Director Fr. Framklin D’Souza led the blessing prayer, officially inaugurating the first youth council of the year 2026. ICYM President Ms Lenny D’Sa welcomed the gathering, including ICYM Dexco and YCSYSM DTS office bearers, as well as all the leaders from the different parishes of the diocese.

The following individuals collaboratively led the council: Rev. Fr. Franklin D’Souza, Diocesan Youth Director, Sr. Lenny D’Costa SCCG, YCSYSM Lady Animator, Ms Lenny D’Sa, ICYM President, Ms Nikhiths Sophia, ICYM Secretary, Mr Suhas Martin, ICYM Nexco Member, Ms Josephine Sadhana, YCSYSM vice president, and Ms Supriya Varghese, former National ICYM General Secretary.

Discussions and activities Eleven parish leaders and commission heads of the diocese actively participated in the council meeting. Ms Nikhitha Sophia, Diocesan Secretary, presented the annual report. The proposed plan for 2026 was shared and discussed in detail with all parish leaders. Parish units shared their annual plan with the council members. A question and answer session followed, during which several leaders offered suggestions on how to engage more youth in diocesan activities, understand their challenges, and reach out to them through parish units. The meeting proceeded with the Holy Mass at 12.30 pm by Fr. Franklin D’Souza, and the council meeting concluded successfully.