Mumbai: National ICYM Decennial Jubilee inaugurated in Vasai

News and Pics from Ancy Paladka

Vasai, 11 February 2010: Inauguration of the Decennial Jubilee programme Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) held at Vasai on 6th February 2010. The day was also the feast day of St. Gonsalo Garcia who hails from Vasai and the patron saint of ICYM.

The Programme started with a procession from Bishops House, Vasai to the St. Gonsalo Garcia Church, New Barampur, Vasai. St. Gonsalo Garcia is the Patron Saint of ICYM. Mass was celebrated at the church by Bishop Vincent Samuel as a main celebrant. ICYM National Youth Director Fr. Alwyn DSouza, Former Director Fr. Joel DCunha, Newly elected representative of Regional Youth Directors Fr. Franklin DSouza, Western Regional Youth Director Fr. Olavo Caido, Vasai Diocese Vicar General Fr. Andrew Rodrigues, Vasai Diocese Youth Director Fr. Johnson, Barampur Parish Priest Fr. Valentine Pawkar and several priests co-celebrated the mass. Fr. Franklin preached the sermon. The new national team of ICYM took oath during the mass.

Ravi Rounak, Joice Mary

A get-together and Decennial Jubilee Year of ICYM inauguration was held at Barampur church hall after the mass. Bishop Vincent Samuel, member bishop of CBCI Commission for Youth; Mr. Vivek Pandit, MLA of VASAI; Fr. Alwyn DSouza, National Youth Director of ICYM; Fr. Joel D’ Cunha, former National Youth director; Fr. Olavo Caido, ICYM director of Western Regional; Fr. Andrew Rodrigues, Vicar General  of Vasai Diocese, Fr. Johnson Menezes, ICYM director of Vasai Diocese; Mrs Dominica Dabre, Chairman of Bessein Catholic Bank; Fr. Valentine Pawkar, Parish Priest of Gonsalo Garcia Church, Mr. Sajish Jose, former National President of ICYM; Mr. Ravi Rounak, newly elected National President of ICYM; Ms. Joice Mary, National Secretary of ICYM; were present at the dais. The programme started with the lighting of lamp Bishop Vincent Samuel and other dignitories at the dias. Fr. Joel D’Cunha, Former National Youth Director of ICYM inaugurated the Decennial Logo of ICYM. Karnataka Regional Youth Director Fr. Franklin DSouza and his handed over the One Rupee campaign fund to the National Youth Director Fr. Alwyn.

Bishop Vincent Samuel gave a call to the youth to break the barrier between Justice and Truth, Fundumental Rights and Citizen Life and build the bridges between man and man, woman and woman. "Witnessing Christ is a noble task but it is very hard." he said.

National Youth Director of ICYM Fr Alwyn D’Souza said that all the youngsters wants to shine buty the members of ICYM have committed themselves to shine through their service to leadership. He also explained the projects carried out by ICYM at national level. He also spoke about the Spiritual Awakening Programmes, Skill building programmes, agriculture and cultivation programmes planned at the fifteen acres land of ICYM at Nagpur. He also spoke about the new flat bought in New Delhi for the ICYM volunteers. Sighting the example of water changing its state to ice from 1 degree to 0 degree and water changing its state to vapour from 99 degree to 100 degree he explained the changes to happen through the new One Rupee Campaign for the Youth ACTIV8 foundation. "This one degree change will bring lot of changes in youth services" he said.

Speaking at the occasion local MLA Mr Vivek Pandit expressed his happiness to see the spirit of youngsters of different culture, different regions and different language to serve the people of India. In today’s world, especially in India speaking about justice and eradicating poverty is very easy but hard to implement. Church is doing a great job by training the youngsters in a right direction. Sighting the example of Mrs Dominica Dabre he said it is only because of the training received from ICYM we have number of good leaders.

Former NEXCO President Mr. Sajish Jose, Former Vice-President-I Ms. Atasha Dsouza, Former Vice-President-II Mr. Jomon Vellappally, Former Regional Director Fr. Lancy Paul, Former Regional Director Sr. Vinita SSPS, Former ICYM Spokes Person Mr. Amith Prabhu and Former Youth Leader Ancy Paladka were felicitated by Bishop Vincent Samuel with a shawl. The youth leaders of Vasai Diocese were also honoured for making the programme a great success. Fr. Joel and Fr. Alwyn also honoured the guest Mr. Vivek Pandit and Ms. Dominica Dabre at this occasion. Newly Elected President, Secretary and Fr. Alwyn gave a memento to Bishop Antony Samuel Bishop Vincent Samuel for his 12 years of dedicated service to the Youth of India and ICYM. There was a beautiful cultural programme organised by the youth of Vasai Diocese.

Prior to this programme ICYM National Council Meeting held at Dhyana Ashram, Rajodi, Vasai from 3rd Feb to 6th Feb 2010. Western Region was the host of the programme. ICYM representativeS of all the regions were present and participated.

On the 6th morning the elections started at 9:00 am and continued until afternoon with the elections being conducted and result being declared by the ICYM election commissioner Amit Prabhu (Former ICYM National Spokesperson 2000-02) in the presence of Archbishop Leo Cornelio, Chairman CBCI Commission for Youth-ICYM.

The newly elected National ICYM council for the years 2010-2012 is as below.

President - Mr. Ravi Rounak from Bihar of Bijhan(Bihar, Jharkand & Andamans) Region
General Secretary -Ms. Joice Mary of Kerela Region
Spokesperson - Mr. Solomon Gomes of West Bengal Region
Treasurer - Ms. Deepika Kujur of Chattisgarh Region
Vice-President (I) - Ms. Rupal Figer of Maharastra(Western Region)
Vice-President (II) - Mr. Richard Syiemiong of Meghalaya( North East Region)
Joint Spokesperson - Ms. Jomol Joy of Madhya Pradesh Region
Joint Treasurer - Mr. Arnest Kujur of Orissa Region.
Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Region - Mr. Swamy Nadhan
Secretary, Tamil Nadu Region - Mr. Bharathi Dasan
Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Region - Ms. Seema Tirkey
Secretary, Karnataka Region - Ms. Shalini Mathew
Secretary, Northern Region Region - Pardeep of Punjab
Regional Director Representative - Fr. Franklin D’ Souza of Karnataka Region
Regional Director Representative - Fr. Kuriakose Mambrakatt of Orissa Region
Lady Animators Representative - Sr.Theresa Salemthangi MSMHC of Assam (North East Region)
Lady Animators Representative - Sr. Benigna HMS, Uttar Pradesh Region

On the evening the newly elected NEXCO along with the New Council made a visit to the Birth place of Saint Gonsalo Garcia and made a Novena Prayer prepared by Fr. Joel D’ Cunha. This was followed by a Holy mass along with the Oath taking ceremony of the elected NEXCO lead by Bp. Vicent Samuel, Member Bishop of CBCI Commission for Youth-ICYM, at St. Gonsalo Garcia Chruch, Barhampur. The regional Director of Western Region Fr. Olavo Caido, had welcomed the gathering and the diocesan Director of Vasai Fr. Johnson, thanked all those who were present.