Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 30: Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) Central Council Mangalore diocese organized a programme 'Gini yek Vingad Padlyanth', a day with the elders of St Antony Ashram Jeppu for all the youths of Mangalore diocese on the occasion of post centenary silver jubilee celebration of St Antony Ashram, Jeppu.
The programme started with the inaugural ceremony. Fr J B Crasta – director St Antony Ashram Jeppu was the guest of the programme. Fr Larry Pinto - assistant director St Antony Ashram Jeppu, Fr Ashwin Lohith Cardoza – director of ICYM diocese of Mangalore, Anil John Sequeira – president and Nishal Preemal D'Souza – general secretary of ICYM diocese of Mangalore were present on the dais.
Anil John Sequeira, president ICYM diocese of Mangalore welcomed the gathering, Delitia Asumptha Pereira, lady vice president ICYM diocese of Mangalore invoked God’s blessings.
During the presidential address, Fr J B Crasta addressed the youth saying that the youth must experience and learn the reality of orphanages and the struggle that elders are going through and should never think of sending parents to the old age homes. The number of orphanages, old age homes should decrease in numbers, he said.
Nishal Preemal D'Souza – general secretary of ICYM diocese of Mangalore delivered the vote of thanks and Philomena Fernandes, public relations officer compered the inaugural programme.
After the inaugural programme, youths were divided into 6 groups such as St Peter, St John, St Aloysius, At Antony, St Lawrence and St Joseph and sent to different houses to interact, to do some services and to do recreational activities including action songs, games and to have fun.
The holy Eucharistic celebration was celebrated along with all the youths at St Antony Ashram Jeppu. Fr Joswin Dsouza -teaching staff at St Joseph's Seminary Jeppu celebrated the Holy Eucharist. Fr Ashwin Lohith Cardoza – director of ICYM diocese of Mangalore was also present for the mass.
In the afternoon, the panel discussion session was held with 2 resource persons by sharing their life experiences. Corrine Rasquinha - director of White Doves Psychiatric Nursing & Destitute Home Kulshekar and Ruldolf Francis Pinto – in-charge TELOCA Deaddiction Centre Ullal were the speakers of the day. Corrine Rasquinha explained her own life story. Though she is a cancer survivor, her faith in the God never stopped her to serve the poor and people in need. She also told the youth to Pray-Care-Share and through this reach and serve the purpose of life.
Viola Reshma Lewis – regional lady representative and convener of the programme conducted group activities and action songs for the youth. Overall, it was a good learning experience for all the participants. Around 200 participants actively took part in the programme. Participants also gave their positive reviews and feedback on the session by sharing their own experiences after spending a day with elderlies. Some participants also expressed their feeling by remembering their grandparents and parents. Prajwal Lopes – MIIJARC Coordinator was also present for the programme. Philomena Fernandes ICYM public relations officer of the Mangalore diocese compered the programme.