National Animators Training Programme
USM, Indore, 23 - 30 May 2015
Report
The much awaited National animators Training programme was held at USM, Indore from 23-30 May 2015. 17 animators from Chennai, Mangalore, Udupi and Delhi participated in it. Fr. Charles guided the programme with the apt support of Fr. Varghese Alengaden.
23.05.2015:
Participants arrived on 23rd and after refreshing themselves the programme started at 5pm with a short prayer and introduction to the topics. Fr. Charles led the dynamics of the programme and kept before the participants the time table of 7 days and all agreed to abide by it. It was followed by a discussion on the expectations from the programme which was aptly replied by Fr. Varghese with a warm welcome to the centre. The day ended with a short prayer.
24.05.2015:
With the morning mass the participants were led through the inter-religious prayer before the start of the session. The first session was dealt by Fr. Jacob P. on the socio-structural analysis. He put forth the various aspects which affect our society especially the three sectors like agriculture, manufacture and service sectors. The things that affect us like economics, inequality, consumerism, lack of leadership, weakening of democracy, climate change, gap between rich and poor, the power politics, religious fundamentalism, poverty, jobless growth, crime and corruption were well explained. He made us understand the multiple inequalities which block the growth of India and the response that we need to give was well explained. The root causes of all these problems are alarming and as animators we need to make our student members understand and participate in the social sector to become change agents.
Fr. Varghese dealt with the second topic of Call, Vision and Mission of animators. We are called by God to this mission and we have no choice but to do this mission as the mandate of Christ. He made us understand that we are called to be prophets to the nations so that the good news preached by Jesus may be reached to all. The methodology of YCS/YSM is the best method that can tackle these problems of fundamentalism and make us more responsible citizens. He cited several examples from the Gospel and real life situations which made us understand our role as animators as to how important it is.
In the afternoon Fr. Charles guided the session on introducing YCS/YSM. He made all of them participate in this by dividing the topics into several parts like what is YCS, why YCS, Cell, Structure, cell life, cell meeting, logo, search, aim and objectives, characteristics and methodology and made the participants prepare a gist of all those things and while explaining clarified the doubts. Later on he brushed through the power point presentation and explained the issues in detail.
In the evening Fr. Jacob Kani dealt with the topic of critical analysis of News papers and gave us the glimpse of how a news paper is run by the business people and companies which comply by the journalism rules and ethics. He explained the different aspects of news paper and news and views regarding it. As an agent of change and readers role in choosing the news would help us understand the background of this reality of news papers. Then he explained us as to how to write letter to the editor and it was given as home work. The participants are to prepare two letters to the editor, one on the news paper and another on the book youth action along with the personal evaluation as it was already time for supper. In between the Rotary President of AP visited us and gave his beautiful message with regard to becoming change agents in the society. The hectic day came to an end with supper.
25.05.2015:
The day started with Holy Mass and inter-religious prayer. Morning session was fully dedicated to Animation. Basic aspects of animation were well explained through the movie GOAL by Fr. Varghese. The various aspects of Animation were depicted through the movie are the dream of the coach, pursuance of the captain, hard work of the team mates, sacrifice and self discipline of the members, humility and initiative of the coach, exposure to the higher values, challenge of the animator, team work and perseverance of the coach, need of a specialist, variety and cooperation of the public, challenges while failure, fulfillment of the dream by the members was very well explained through the movie. After the movie we had an discussion on various aspects of animation comparing the situations with our youth movements followed by tips to the youth workers.
Afternoon session was held by Fr. Charles on the spirituality of the movement to understand the three truths namely truth of reality, truth of faith and truth of movement was explained before leaving for exposure visit to slum children. All were instructed to become aware of the reality at the slum and apply these truths to that reality. All had an on hand experience of the reality followed by sharing while returning.
The letter to the editor written by the participants were shared at 7pm and Fr. Jacob Kani gave the necessary corrections and it was decided to write it down again to perfect the activity so that we may teach our student members this skill. After supper day’s evaluation was written and shared by all, thus giving each one to come forward and express their feeling s and experiences. The day came to an end with night prayers.
26.05.2015:
The day began with the Mass followed by social analysis of the slum visit. Leo Joseph handled this session with utmost care as to bring out the minute details of the SEE part. The participants had a deep group discussion on the awareness part of the exposure visit and were able to find out the ground reality of the people and children in the slums. The dreams of children and the aspirations are understood and planned strategies to handle them when we come into such decisions. Finally Fr. Charles questioned them whether we are able to feel and respond to the students given to our care and help them understand the review of life. Mr Ranade a friend of USM was introduced to us and he shared about his noble service to the humanity.
In the afternoon Fr. Varghese dealt with the topic Religiosity and spirituality and helped us to understand the differences between them. We had a critical evaluation of the religiosity with which we live and how it affects our way of life. It was followed by the movie DHARM which helped us to grasp the differences of religiosity and spirituality clearly.
Later Mr Ashiko along with his two students shared his experience with USM which has helped them grow spiritually. All of us felt happy to their witness sharing. Then time was spent with personal sharing and all of us felt the day was very satisfactory. After supper we had time to prepare the book review as home work.
27.05.2015:
Mass was celebrated by Fr. Varghese Rosario in which all shared their opinions on the Gospel reading. The first session was on Vision formulation. Fr. Varghese introduced the topic with activity of drawing the symbolic picture of society, family and self based on the experience. The various experiences which become convictions, from which follows the vision, which should be lasting, broad and inclusive was well explained. Based on that all the participants were asked to prepare the vision formulation.
In the afternoon Fr. Varghese depicted a few videos about USM and we appreciated the outcome of the weak long programme taking place here. Then Fr. Charles with the help of 6 participants showed the participants the way of conducting cell meeting. After due evaluation of the cell meeting we were given a situation for cell meeting and we all took active part in it. Fr. Charles clarified the issues with regard to taking up final decision for self transformation which should be based on Scripture or Value system. We feel we need to go through this process a little more to guide our young teenagers in the YCS/YSM.
In the evening we all prepared the VISION FORMULATION of our life and read it out. We plan to get it right with more meditation and prayer in silence and contemplation. It was followed by day’s evaluation and with supper we ended the day preparing for the home work on writing the book review.
28.05.2015:
The day began with Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Varghese in which he gave us a clear understanding of Mass and its various aspects. The need to live the mass throughout the day in all the activities we do would bring about desired effect in us.
Then we modified the time table to watch the movie Jesus of Nazareth to Journey with Jesus. The whole day spent in it and after every episode we paused to interact with each other to apply the animation reality to that of Jesus the supreme animator. In this journey with Jesus each one of us felt and understood the historical person of Jesus. It shall be continued tomorrow.
In the evening all presented their personal evaluation report and after supper we studied the YCS/YSM Constitution and resolved to follow it in letter and spirit to put order in our movement.
29.05.2015:
Holy Mass was the first activity of the day. It was followed by the movie Jesus of Nazareth. The various teachings of Jesus were understood clearly and the animation qualities of Jesus would be put into use while animating our units. The personality, communication, spiritual power, leading by example, forgiveness, knowledge of religion and society etc were very well brought out in the Journey with Jesus. It was a journey worth of any animator to tread with.
After tea break all the participants discussed the action plan in groups and suggested various means to organize the movement in the diocese and regions. It will be organized based on the constitution of YCS/YSM. The suggestions will be sent to regional directors to set the movement organized. Participants also suggested some programs for forthcoming Golden Jubilee of YCS/YSM.
In the afternoon all presented their report on book review followed by personal evaluation reports. At 5.30pm concluding programme was held. Fr. Clarence was the Chief Guest. During the programme three participants presented their final report followed by distribution of certificates and mementos. The programme came to an end with the participants taking the pledge of the movement. In the evening we had a session on general valuation of the training. All of us were very much satisfied and happy about the programme and its content. We hope to make us of it well to organize the movement in our particular places effectively. We thank Fr. Varghese Alengaden and Fr. Charles for organizing this programme along with Leo Joseph for guiding us through this programme. On 30th morning after morning Mass we bid goodbye to all with the hope of meeting again soon.
