Nov 10, 2017: Young Catholic Students/Young Students’ Movement (YCS/YSM) Mangalore Diocese organized the Diocesan YCS Convention 2017 (Cardijn Day) which is first time in its kind, on 5th November at Cordel Church Hall, Kulshekar, Mangalore to commemorate the 135th Birth Anniversary and 50th Death Anniversary of the Inspirational Founder of the movement, Sevant of God Cardinal Joseph Cardijn.
The theme of the event was “Catholic Youth in the National Mainstream” to motivate the youngsters to serve the nation. The inauguration began at 9:30 a.m. Rev Fr Chethan Machado, YCS/YSM National Chaplain India presided over the event. Rev Fr Anil D’sa, SDB, Regional Youth Director Karnataka; Mr MP Noronha, Secretary, Diocesan Pastoral Parishad, Mangalore Diocese; Ms Jesvita Pricy Quadras, the President YCS/YSM India and Sonia D’Souza the Regional President were the guests of honor. The event was inaugurated in a unique way with Mr Dion Pinto, a budding artist and a YCS member from Bondel painting a portrait of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn and the dignitaries filling it with colors. Diocesan YCS/YSM Director Rev Fr Rupesh Madtha, Diocesan YCS President Quinie Mariya D’Costa, Secretary Melnitha Correa, Diocesan YCS Animator Prajwal Sequeira, Regional Secretary Royden Colaco were the other dignitaries present on the dais.
Fr Chethan Machado in his presidential message called upon the youngsters to come forward and take up roles in Defence, Civil Services and other public sectors. Elton Pinto compered the event. After the inauguration ice breakers were held and the YCS members actively participated in singing action songs with foot tapping music. Mr MP Noronha delivered the key note address based on the theme of the “Catholic Youth in the National Mainstream”. This was followed by Holy Mass. Cultural Competition were held between 8 Deaneries of the Diocese who displayed their unique talents and thoroughly entertained the audience.
The grand finale began at 3 p.m. Most Rev Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore presided over the event. Mr J. R. Lobo, MLA, Mangalore South; Mr. Ivan D’Souza, MLC, Chief Whip, Govt of Karnataka; Mr. Arun Furtado, KAS, Deputy Secretary to the CM (Admin), Karnataka; V. Rev. Fr Victor Machado, Dean City Deanery; Rev Fr Chethan Machado, Rev Fr Anil D’sa, Ms Jesvita Pricy Quadras, Sonia were the guests of honor. Bishop inaugurated the YCS Education Fund to assist Higher Education of the needy students, raised by the YCS Units of the Diocese using a unique fund raising initiative “Wealth out of Waste” where the YCS members collected the money by selling old newspapers. A total of Rs 76,000 was raised as a part of this initiative.
‘YCS/YSM Mangalore Diocesan Proficiency Awards 2017’ was constituted for the first time where young achievers in the national or international level in any field were honored. 6 achievers were chosen for the award – Danan Saldanha Bondel, Gavin Lobo Urwa, Simran D’Souza Permude, Viani D’Cunha Urwa, Shalon Pais Bajjodi and Crystal Pinto Bondel. Prizes were distributed to the units who collected the highest amount for the Fund raising initiative and the winners of the Cultural Competitions. Members of YCS/YSM Diocesan Central Council were present on the dais. Parents of the awardees and the Centreal Council members and representatives from National as well as Reginal YCS/YSM were present as special guests. Melnitha Correa compeered the event. Around 1000 youth from 135 units in the Diocese participated in the event and dispersed with the YCS/YSM Claps and Anthem.