Media Release

Udupi, Feb 2: The Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), diocese of Udupi, organized a series of training programmes for youth leaders and animators on February 1 at Anugraha Pastoral Centre, Kakkunje.

The programme started with an inaugural mass celebrated by diocesan youth director Fr Steven Fernandes followed by the training programme for the youth leaders and new animators.

The programmes included ‘NextGen Digital – PRO Training’, conducted by Fr Anil Ivan Fernandes, director of Canara Communication Centre, diocese of Mangalore. The session focused on equipping ICYM unit and deanery public relations Officers with digital communication and media skills, and was attended by 31 participants.

Another session included ‘Spirit Quest – YouCat Training’, conducted by Fr Alwyn D’Souza, director of the Family Commission, diocese of Mangalore. This programme, aimed at ICYM Unit and Deanery YouCat In-charges, emphasized faith formation and catechetical engagement, with 41 participants taking part.

The new animators training programme was led by Fr Charles Menezes, parish priest of Mothers of Sorrows Church, Udupi, and vicar forane of Udupi deanery. The session was designed to orient and train newly appointed ICYM unit and deanery animators of the diocese and saw the participation of 27 animators.

These training initiatives were organized by DEXCO-2026 with the objective of strengthening leadership, faith formation, and communication skills among Catholic youth leaders and animators, thereby enabling them to serve more effectively at the parish, deanery, and diocesan levels.