Media Release

Udupi, Jul 29: Young Catholic Students (YCS) Karkala Deanery successfully conducted a beginners’ camp at St Maria Goretti Church Hall, Hirgan on Sunday, July 28. The event brought together 90 enthusiastic first-year YCS students for a day of spiritual growth and leadership development.

The camp began with a prayer service led by the YCS’ers of Kanajar unit, setting a spiritual tone for the day. Chris Dhantis, YCS Karkala Deanery president, extended a warm welcome to all participants. Fr John Walter Mendonca, parish priest of Hirgan, delivered an inspiring address, followed by a message from Fr Larry Pinto, the deanery YCS Chaplain.

An engaging ice-breaking session led by Sweedal Mendonca, YCS Shirva deanery president, helped the participants to interact with one another.

Melwyn Castelino, Diocesan YCS animator, provided valuable insights into the YCS movement’s history, what and why YCS for young students. The DEXCO team, comprising Joshua Fernandes, Jiya Cutino, Melisha Noronha, and Preeshal D’mello, conducted informative sessions on the YCS structure, vision, aim, rules. The objectives, methodology and how YCS works was explained by Fr Steven Fernandes.

YCS Karkala deanery expressed sincere gratitude to Fr Steevan Fernandes, Diocesan Chaplain of YCS YSM Udupi diocese, for his guidance and support, as well as to Melwyn Castelino and Jeneview Cutinha for their invaluable contributions.

The camp concluded with the YCS anthem and clap, inspiring participants to embrace the values of Christ and shine as a sign of hope and change in the society.