REGIONAL NEWS

Karnataka’s first ever YCS/YSM convention was inaugurated on October 18, 2015 hosted at St Mary’s English medium school Kannarpady, Udupi at 5 pm organized by the Karnataka Regional YCS movement.

First Day:

Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza, Bishop, Diocese of Mangalore, was welcomed by Fr. Mari Joseph, RYD, and his team. Bishop was garlanded by Hazel Martis Udupi, President, RYD.

The convention commenced with a mass with Dr. Aloysius D’Souza, Bishop, Diocese of Mangalore being the main celebrant with 17 priests. Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Diocese of Udupi delivered the homily, where they asked the students gathered to shine as Light and be salt to the world as Lord Jesus. Bishop Aloysius asked the youth to be actual performers rather than be a mere applauding crowd. He said”Today’s education is being misleading for the youngsters. It asks one to be selfish.  This is where YCS/YSM act as the guiding lamp. He asked the youth to make use of this convention, to gather all knowledge possible which would be useful for them in their upcoming days. He also asked them to be agents of change of themselves and thus transform the society by becoming value based people.

The YCS/ YSM regional Convention, a historic event was officially inaugurated by hoisting of the YCS/YSM flag was done by Fr. Fredrick Mascheranus, correspondent, St Mary’s Institutions, Udupi, followed by Inter-Religious Prayer conducted by students only.

Most. Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, the Bishop of Udupi, welcomed all the delegates of Karnataka region to his diocese and in his inaugural address said quoting “What you are today is the gift of God. And what you become tomorrow is your gift to God.” He wished all the delegates and organizers a fruitful convention and blessed them with God’s blessings.

Msgr. Baptist Menezes, Diocese of Udupi, Fr. Charles D’Souza, Director, International Young Christian Students, France, Fr. Deepak Thomas, KJ, OCD, Director, National Youth Council, Delhi, Fr. Fred Mascheranus, Vicarvar, Udupi Deanery and Correspondent, St Mary’s Institutions, Udupi, Sr. Leena Tauro, Mangalore, Sr. Trasilda AC President, CRI, Diocese of Udupi, Veronica Cornelio, Chairperson, KS&DL, Karnataka and Hazel D’Souza, President, Regional YCS Council along with other elected Regional and National YCS/YSM representatives were present on the dais.

Fr. Charles, the International Chaplain for Young Christian Students Movement, France was felicitated and honored on this historical occasion. He said as a part of the students formation in building up the nation the theme of this convention was drawn three years ago, and the main three trusts were 1) Inter-Culturality, 2) Religious Plurality and 3) Universal Culture of love and life. Further he said there is a tendency among the students today to succumb to failures and embrace a culture of death than celebrate life. He enthused the delegates to take part in this convention actively and take home a strong message for life to become a value based person to build a new society. 

Veronica Cornelio, Chairperson, KS&DL, Karnataka, congratulated the organizers and said it is a rare opportunity to host such a program. She said today’s youth lack values in their life. There also is a vast gap in inculcating the values when compared to our ancestors. This is because of the rapid modernization. She appealed the students to change their attitudes to bring about a change in the society.

Hazel Martis, President, Regional YCS council, welcomed the dignitaries and the delegates, while Pearl Lopez, secretary, Regional YCS council proposed the vote of thanks. Elson D’Souza, Lavita D’Souza and Rencita D’Souza of Udupi and Melroy D’souza of Mangalore compered the entire program.

Second day:

the second day commenced with mass. Fr. Deepak KJ Thomas, NYD were the main celebrant while Fr. Mari Joseph, RYD, delivered the Homily.