Udupi: Youth from all Indian Catholic dioceses will be assembling together for the National Youth Convention to be held from 18th to 22nd January, 2017 at Joseph’s Engineering College, Vamanjoor. With regard to the National Convention, around 500 youth delegates from various dioceses of India arrived at Udupi Diocese on 14th January 2017 and will be spending five days in the thoughtfully organized Days in Diocese (DID) programme.
The Udupi Diocese ICYM office bearers personally went to the Indrali Railway Station at Udupi and received the youth delegates who represent 34 Dioceses of 11 Indian states. These young delegates gathered at St. Cecily’s School campus at noon and brought in a procession to the School Auditorium while being welcomed by accepting the diocesan shawl at the entrance.
The students of St. Cecily’s welcomed the delegates with some dance performances. Loyal D’Souza Diocesan ICYM President welcomed the delegates and the gathering. Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto, Director for Social and Service Commission gave introduction and provided the information of Udupi diocese. Rosalia Cordoza compeered the brief programme.
ICYM Udupi Diocese Director Rev Fr. Edwin D’Souza, YCS National Director Rev Fr. Chenthan Machado, Nakre Church Parish priest Rev Fr. Vincent Crasta, Udupi Parish Asst. priest and director of ICYM Udupi Deanery Rev Fr. Royston Fernandes, Diocesan past president Derrik Mascarenhas, ICYM diocesan secretary Felina D’Souza, Lady Animator Sr. Hilda Mascarenhas, Animator Walter D’Souza, Vice President Arthur Andrew Dias, Treasurer Don D’Souza, PRO Oniel Kleth Andrade, Regional General Secretary Valida Mendonca, RTS Gents Jestan Fernandes, deanery presidents and other officials were present during the occasion.
It is said that most of the parishes are in the coastal area of the Arabian Sea and hence the weather will be warm, soft and sultry. The youngsters who will spend these few precious days with families will find them hospitable, peace loving, generous and full of fervor. Delegates will stay in groups with families of ICYM members in various churches of Udupi diocese and learn about the tradition, customs, food habits, local culture and so on when they stay and interact with the families.
The valedictory programme of the ‘Days in Diocese’ will be held at St. Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur-Karkala on Tuesday, 17th January, 2017 at 10 am. The Bishop of Udupi Diocese will concelebrate the Eucharistic celebrations and later after the mass, ward send off will be held for the delegates across India.
