Media Release

Bantwal, Aug 15: St John Paul II deanery in association with ICYM Vittal unit organised Yuva Sangath 2023, on August 13 at Centenary Hall, Vittal

The dignitaries on the dais were Fr Manoj Alban Furtado SFX, parish priest, Nithyadar Church, Salethur, Dr Caroline Dsouza, neuro psychiatrist, Mangaluru, Sushanth Samson Fernandes, treasurer ICYM Mangalore diocese and Vittal deanery representative, Vijay Pais, Thomas Mascarenhas vice president and secretary of parish pastoral council Vittal, Glanson Mascarenhas, Avil Lobo, president and secretary ICYM Vittal unit, Praveen D’Cunha and Sharvin D’Souza, president secretary of the St John Paul II deanery.

The programme began with a hymn led by the members of ICYM Shambur unit, Praveen D’Cunha welcomed the gathering. The dignitaries inaugurated the event symbolically. Vijay Pais addressed the youth gathering with the message that unity comes with youth togetherness. Fr Manoj Alban Furtado SFX also addressed the gathering. He gave a call to the youth to come up in life and utilise the opportunities to the best of their abilities. He motivated the youth to excel in life.

A token of gratitude was presented to all the guests present for the programme. Deanery secretary Sharvin D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. After the formal programme, ice breaking sessions and action songs were conducted for the youths. This was followed by group formation. A total of 10 groups were formed.

The session was conducted by Dr Caroline Dsouza, Neuro Psychiatrist on the topic 'Mental Health Concerns in Youth’. She mainly focused on youth depression and stress management in youths, and how to come out and control ourselves from going into depressed life, also focused on forms of psychological disease and causes for the disease. She gave a brief on how youth are addicted to drugs, what are the reasons and how to avoid and how to come out from the addiction. She also narrated the importance of prayer and about having healthy peer bonds.

Later Fr Anil Canute D'Mello, director St John Paul II deanery, Antony Mascarenhas, Reshal Pinto, president and secretary, Puttur deanery, Wilson and Melroy, secretary and immediate past president, Bantwal deanery were also present  for the gathering.

Fr Anil Canute D'Mello addressed the gathering, and gave a brief on how to avoid drugs and other addiction and motivated youth power and also he gave a call to the youth to come up in life and utilise the opportunities to the best of their abilities.

Lavisha D’Souza, unit member of ICYM Salethur unit was felicitated as she was elected as the lady vice president, Indian Catholic Youth Movement Mangalore diocese. It was a movement of honour for all of them.

Youth cafe and a lot of fun activities and games were also conducted by the Jaison Crasta (former president of ICYM Mangalore diocese and member of DMYM Mogarnad) in coordination with the deanery executive committee.

Overall, it was a fun-filled day which was showered with zeal, enthusiasm and joy. Around 140 youth participated in the programme. It was a successful programme and all of them enjoyed every bit of the event.