Nov 13, 2017: A week after the grand but meaningful celebration of YCS Convention in the Diocese, the Diocesan Central Council along with the office bearers from 12 Deaneries celebrated the ‘Cardijn Charity Day’ in a unique and practical manner on 11th and 12th of November 2017. The event was organized at the back ground of the 135th birth and 50th death anniversary of the inspirational founder of YCS/YSM, Servant of God Cardinal Joseph Cardijn.
Accordingly the team of 30 YCS members spent the 11th evening at Aloysian Boys’ Home, Ullal spending time with the little boys with food, games and sing songs. Prayer and camp fire were also a part of that evening. The Charity Nuns in the house welcomed us warmly and made them feel at home.
On Sunday 12th till noon the members spent time at Paschim Rehabilitation Centre, Ullal, where nearly a hundred poor and sick inmates are taken care by Mr Rohith. The YCS members listened to the inmates, did house cleaning, washing the clothes, massaging the sick, nail trimming, brushing, shaving etc and thus spent time fruitfully helping the sick and needy. At 11.30 a.m. the Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev Dr J. B. Saldanha the parish priest of St Sebastian Church, Permannur and Dean of Mangalore South Deanery. He explained the Word of God to the members and also appreciated them for a unique initiative of such Charity Day by the YCS. The lunch was also sponsored by the YCS members finding some donors for this good cause.
In the afternoon the team moved to the St Zuze Vaz and St Antony’s Senior Priests’ Homes at Jeppu Mangalore. The members spent time talking to the 25 senior priests and thanking them for their service in the past and assuring the prayers for them. Again a high tea was organized for the inmate priests by the YCS members and mementos were presented.
Thus the time was spent in three fold charity activities by the representatives of Young Catholic Students (YCS) in the Diocese of Mangalore from which the students learned and expressed the noble value of Charity in a unique and practical way.
Ms Jeswita Princy Quadras the National YCS President, Ms Queenie Mariya D’Costa the Diocesan YCS President, Mr Prajwal Sequeira the diocesan YCS animator, Ms Lavita Rolita D’Souza, Mr Mervin Pais, Mr Mervin Vas, Viola D’Souza guided and accompanied the members. Fr Rupesh Madtha the Diocesan Director for YCS/YSM organized the entire program and accompanied the members all through.