News

YCS/YSM INDIA
FORMATION SESSION AND XVI NATIONAL COUNCIL - 2013, BETHEL, SHILLONG, NORTHEAST
19-28 MAY 2013

The 140 delegates representing 12 regions of YCS/YSM India from all over India have gathered at Bethel on 19th for the XVI National Council.

On 19th as they gathered here were involved in the orientation of the programme. National Council takes place once in three years. It evaluates the movement activities for the past three years after the previous council held in Mangalore. The theme was “Responding to God’s call to be sincere, simple and sensitive persons to envision and build a green and harmonious world” It also dealt with thrusts of Climate change, Food rights and Human rights. A lot of action oriented programmes were conducted by all the units in different ways all through the past three years. The council now evaluates the programmes in view of activities conducted as well as personal growth and transformation of every individual which is the objective of YCS/YSM, Change self – Change others.

The objectives of the National council are as follows:

• To review and evaluate the action plan of the previous three years.
• To evaluate the movement reality
• To respond with concrete plans to the issues affecting the society
• To enlighten and empower the students to face the society
• Time of deeper reflection, evaluation and planning
• To challenge and to move towards realization of our dreams
• To focus more on the History and the spirituality of the Movement.
• To elect and approve the new National Executive Committee members
• To make amendments to the constitution and internal rules
• To make decisions on the basic policies and the orientation of the movement.
• To select a particular issue related to the life of the students for study
• To make action plan at cell/unit/diocese/region/national level for the next 3 years.

In the evening the group dynamics was held to make the participants know each other and responsibilities are divided. The delegates got involved with the exhibition process and in the evening had the Holy Mass offered by Most Rev John Thomas, Bishop of Itanagar and North East Regional \youth Chairman invoking the power of the Holy Spirit the day being the Pentecost.

On the 20th morning Mr. Leo Joseph took a session on Orientation to the Council taking details of the process on all the councils and its effect on the movement in general. The Fr. James Chacko with the help of the NEXCO members divided the group in to 4 and dealt with the movement’s present scenario.

In the evening at 4 pm we had the Inaugural Holy Eucharist offered by Archbishop Dominic Jala, Archbishop of Shillong accompanied by Most Rev. John Thomas and the guests from Northeast. Soon after Mass the regional Exhibition was unveiled by Archbishop Dominic Jala. Then the official inauguration programme took place with the hoisting of the YCS flag and pledge taken by the delegates. Archbishop Dominic Jala declared the National Council open followed by lighting of the lamp and singing the YCS anthem. After which the programme was held in the council hall. Bishop John Thomas blessed and prayed over the delegates for the success of the programme. On behalf of \northeast Fr. Felix and on behalf of YCS/YSM the National President Joyce John welcomed the guests of honour and delegates. Umroi aspirants of msmhc, Guwahati youth, JY Shillong, Fernando Speech and Hearing Centre students, Mr. Edward and friends from Shillong presented the cultural items. Archbishop Domonic Jala in his presidential address stressed the need of young people coming together and performing things which would give glory to God and put themselves in the service of the society. He applauded the efforts done by YCS/YSM movement in this region and wished the participants all success. He also thanked the National Chaplain Fr. Charles for organizing this programme in the Northeast which would make a big difference in the ongoing faith formation of the young budding teenagers. With the vote of thanks and Council anthem the programme concluded at 7.30pm.