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Belgaum, July 1: The revival and the new beginning of the YCS/YSM in Belgaum Diocese began with the training programmes organized by the newly appointed YCS Director Fr. Roshan Santhumayor from 12 to 16 June 2012. On 12th June the training was organized for the 26 teachers of various schools at Fatima School Hall, Keshwapur, Hubli who are going to be animators of the movement. It began with inaugural programme. Fr. William Borges and Fr. Thomas Champakara lighted the lamp and gave the inaugural address. He said it was very vibrant at some time back but died an untimely death. Today we require reviving it for the sake of the students and all must work towards it as he promised to help them in need. Fr. Roshan welcomed the participants and asked for their support to make this movement a successful one for the sake of student community.

Then the participants introduced each other and a few introductory games were taught by Fr. Charles Menezes, the resource person and National Chaplain of the movement which would be useful for them to utilize at the movement level in their schools. In the first session they were made to understand why this ministry is required. Teaching is a profession today yet it is possible and needed to be made as mission which is the need of the hour. To make the students integrated in the society and to give them their required identity in the hour of seeking of attention, recognition and decision making animators play an important role. Since they come from different backgrounds they need to be catered and cannot be taken as casual candidates in the schools.

In the second session information regarding what is YCS/YSM was given. The aim and objectives, its history, structure, methodology was taught to them. During which the participants were made to understand how it helps the students to build their personality and take up leadership in the society was clarified with varied examples. In the afternoon a detailed session on methodology was explained to them. The cell meeting and its dynamics was clarified. How to take up student related issues and how to deal with it in the given methodology was taught and paper cuttings were given to conduct a cell meeting themselves. Then they prepared an action plan of starting the movement in their respective schools by the end of July and continue with the DTS election by the Diocesan chaplain in August. The programme came to a close at 4.30pm with the evaluation and sharing of their experiences about the day’s programme.

On 13th June,The programme was organized at St. Xavier’s School Hall, Camp, Belgaum. Altogether 19 teachers/ animators attended the programme. Fr. Alwyn Sudhir inaugurated the programme and asked the participants to take up interest in learning the concept of organizing YCS/YSM in the schools. The participants were very much interested in the movement as it would help them to tackle issues with regard to students in their respective schools. Same procedure was followed as with Hubli and the programme came to an end at 4.30pm.

On 14th June,The day was special as it was with the priests of Belgaum Diocese. In the morning session during recollection at Sacred Heart Cathedral next to Bishop’s House, Belgaum Fr. Charles spoke on Priests’ ministry with Youth in the Diocese. Citing various church documents and traditions along with biblical quotes urged all the priests to take up this mission seriously as it is with regard to the future of the church and society.  During the meeting of the Priests Fr. Charles gave a power [point presentation of YCS/YSM and explained the way YCS/YSM works in the schools and parishes.  It made all the priests aware of the need to take up this mission as it was envisaged by CBCI way back in 1969 and recognized YCS as the official apostolic student movement for faith formation and personality development along with value based evangelization of the students of other faith.

On 15th June,The programme was held at St. Xavier’s School Hall, Camp, Belgaum for the student leaders of various schools who want to start this movement. 42 students along with their school teachers/ animators took part in it. Through the introductory activities they were welcomed into the programmes. Fr. Alwyn Sudhir explained them why we need this programme and asked them to take keen interest in the day’s programme. Students were enthusiastic to know the dynamics of the movement. Why we need this movement in our institutions and what is YCS/YSM was explained to them in the morning and in the afternoon they were introduced to the Cell meeting which made them aware of how it helps for their personality development along with attitude formation. A touch of Leadership formation was also given through some video clips. At the end all the schools made the action plan and resolved to start this movement by the end of this month. Bishop Peter Machado of Belgaum gave his message at the end of the programme and promised his support so that all the students in the diocese may be value based ones while preparing themselves to become change agents of the society.

On 16th June,The programme was held at Fatima School Hall, Keshwapur, Hubli. 52 students along with their teachers/animators took part in it. Through the ice breaking activities they were introduced o each other. Then Fr. Charles explained the dynamics of the movement. Participants took keen interest in knowing about the movement and dealt with all the topics clearly. They were divided into groups to tackle an issue of value crisis which made them clarify what we should do as YCS/YSM members to bring about attitudinal change in us. Animators also participated in all the activities and showed interest in reviving the movement for the sake of student community. The students prepared the action plan to start this movement as early as possible and partake in the social change it brings along with its activities. In the evening Fr. Roshan thanked all the participants for their keen interest and offered his help in organizing it in all the schools. Fr. Alwyn urged the animators and students to keen interest and reach out to the students in need in their schools and to make it a life changing movement for them. The programme came to a close at 4.30pm.