News

The first NTA/EXCO live in programme was held at NAVINTA, NEW DELHI from 5th to 7th October 2013. 8 regions participated in the meeting including 13 NEXCOS, 2 animators, 2 RYD, 3 DYD'S, Mr. Leo Joseph, National Chaplain Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes, National Chairman Bishop of CBCI Office for Youth Most Rev Leo Cornelio. The NEXCO members present for the meeting were Arman Lakra, Amiyalata from Odisha region, Jimmy Pdang, Nowami and Gilbert from Northeast region, Bala Praneeth, Maria Immaculate and Prakash from Andhra Pradesh region, Sharon M. Kalinse, Jadzia Marilyn from Tamilnadu region, Angela from Bijhan region, Rohan Immanuel from Madhya Pradesh region, Ashley from Delhi region. The RYD's present for the meetings were Fr. Savyo from Goa and Sr. Agnes from Northeast; DYDs were Fr. Sudhir Dung Dung from Odisha,  Fr. T. Fatima Reddy, Fr. Balaswamy and Fr. Yesu Ramesh from Andhra Pradesh. The animators present were Mr. Joseph S. Babu from Andhra Pradesh, Miss. Mary from Bijhan region. EXCO's from Goa, M.P, Karnataka, U.P and West Bengal were absent.
        

    
The meeting began on 5.10.2013 with the inaugural mass offered by Fr. Fathima which impressed all the delegates. We were welcomed by Fr. Charles and he continued with an introductory game which helped us know each other better. The new NEXCO's from Tamilnadu Jadzia and Prakash from Andhra Pradesh region were introduced to us in our NEXCO family followed by rationale of the meeting.

The first session of the day was conducted by Mr. Leo Joseph on the topic 'Who am I' in which a self introduction game was conducted and we all came closer to each other. The session was very useful. The next session was conducted by Fr. Charles about 'My priorities in life' followed by group dynamics. We were given topics for discussion and we reflected on it. The session was very informative and we understood decision making, the ways to achieve success and also many more things. After all the sessions for the day we had evening prayer with rosary. After supper we were taught action songs by Fr. Charles. The day thus came to end with lots of fun and information.
        

       
On 6.10.2013, Sunday the day began with an inspiring mass by Fr. Savyo. After breakfast Fr. Charles introduced the Asian coordinators Ralph and Homme to us, who interacted with us and also shared their YCS/YSM experience.  They gave a proposal to conduct NATP and CAFE programmes together in India.

A session on what is YCS/YSM, what is the role of a NEXCO in YCS/YSM, the reality of the movement was dealt by Leo. The session was very useful and it helped us to understand the important features of YCS/YSM. The next session was conducted by Fr. Savyo D'Souza, RYD of Goa. He explained to us about effective leadership and also about the ways to become a good leader. He made us clear about value based leadership through games and group discussions.  He created an impact through his inspiring speech and gave us confidence to lead the society in the right way. He also taught us about the qualities of a good leader and encouraged us through his speech. Thus we obtained high levels of hope to be a good leader.
 

The next session was conducted by Fr. Chetan, RYD of Delhi region about the networking of the movement as a NEXCO. He helped us to get a clear understanding about networking through various illustrations and examples, in a way interesting to us, like telling us about present day advertisements, advantages and disadvantages of networking, the present society's need for networking and so on. He interacted with us and made us to understand the need to network and also taught us how to use it in a careful way, that we don't become addicted to it. The session was very interesting and useful for us as members of NEXCO.

The next session was conducted by Fr. Fatima Reddy and Fr. Sudhir Dung Dung who dealt with the topic cell meeting. Fr. Fatima explained to us about the basic structure of a cell, its functions, how to create a cell etc.  He conducted cell meeting by dividing us into various cells. He gave us a case study and made us to discuss it within our cells and evaluation was done.

Later Fr. Sudhir explained to us about the importance of cell meetings. He also made us deal with case studies. As YCS/YSM is a cell based movement, he made us realize the need and importance of cell meeting. He also made us clear that cell meetings are based upon themethodology of YCS/YSM: SEE, JUDGE, ACT. We got an idea about the cell meeting through these sessions and also understood that any problem can be found a favorable solution through cell meetings. The case studies that we discussed in the cell meeting also helped us to understand the real purpose of cell meetings.

After that election of national treasurer was held.  It was held in this meeting because during the national council we could not get majority vote by anyone. Voting was done by secret ballot and Bala Praneeth Reddy from Andhra Pradesh was elected as the National treasurer for the term 2013-16.  Fr. Charles announced him as the National Treasurer officially.

After the election, a workshop on key learning of the constitution was dealt by Leo. Several topics were written on papers and we took them randomly. We were asked to explain about the topic so as to make us understand about the setup up in a more clear way.  We got a more clear knowledge about the constitution. After this we passed the agenda and meeting with the Archbishop for the next day. We also discussed about the plan of action which we have proposed in the National council. We discussed about the visitation and participation, expansion, publication and communication.
 
We took the following decisions: We have planned to visit regions which were not visited by the previous NEXCO's and also try to participate in all the programmes as much as possible.  We decided to visit all the dioceses in our own regions. We have decided to visit many dioceses and to create new units in schools and parishes and also to visit the units where YCS/YSM is existing, but need to be strengthened.  We also planned to meet the Bishops of our dioceses and encourage YCS/YSM further.
PROGRAMS envisaged are: Spreading YCS/YSM in neighboring countries. NATP may be hosted between two regions. Interculturality programs between two regions and the duration of the programme could be 3 days.. NEXCO's should be present for all the meetings. We have decided to give life to our search magazine by sending articles to it. We have decided to be in touch with all the Nexco members and maintain a relationship as if we all belong to one family.
       

         
After all these we had personal sharing in which we shared our personal stories with smiles and tears.  We felt open to share everything as we all became as one united family and we felt open to express our lives and we became closer and understood everyone’s feelings.
               
On 7.10.2013, Monday, the day began with an inspiring mass by His Grace Most Rev Leo Cornelio, Chairman of CBCI Office for Youth. This mass created a spiritual feeling within us. The meeting started at 9.00 am with the Archbishop. Sharon from Tamilnadu began the meeting with a short prayer and Jimmy Pdang, National President introduced the agenda and welcomed Archbishop for the meeting.  Then the NEXCO members shared their understanding, experiences and feelings of the movement. After their sharing, the Archbishop gave his message mentioning that YCS/ YSM provide self-confidence for youth and it is a movement for nation building. He also said us that we mustn’t ask what the movement contributed to me but what I contributed to the movement. He also said that we don’t want the conversion of the religion but the only thing we want is the conversion of the heart. Now a day the concept is "USE PEOPLE AND LOVE THINGS" but each person is valuable and it is our responsibility to heal the society and we have the power to do it. As the Lord teaches us humility and simplicity, we must obey his words and follow them. He also conveyed his regards to all the people especially to our parents for encouraging us and loving us. He concluded by saying, 'Love is the most important thing than money and any other things'.
      

                   
After this, regional reports were presented. The evaluation of the national council was done. Suggestions were given for the next national council about the place and improvement compared to the previous national council. Three places were suggested by the gathering to have the next national council – Orissa, Bijhan and Andhra Pradesh. The RYD's said that they would decide about it in the region and inform during the next meeting. Then the new NEXCO members were introduced and were officially initiated to the family.  The reasons for the absence of the other NEXCO’s were explained.

Information about the NSLTP meeting was given by Fr. Charles.  The proposal given by the Asian coordinators was informed to the Archbishop and after discussion we agreed to their proposal with the approval of Archbishop and National Chaplain to organize together in India as NATP-CAFE. Fr. Charles then informed about the membership fees and also about the condition of the Search news letter.

We had a discussion about the advocacy and expansion of the movement. The people in the gathering interacted with the Archbishop and among them in this regard and gave suggestions.  We also asked Archbishop for a new national office in New Delhi and he promised to provide his help in this issue and make arrangements for a new office for us.

Discussions were held regarding where can we have the NTA/Exco meeting. It was decided that the next NTA/NEXCO meeting will be held at HYDERABAD on January 11th and 12th. Jimmy thanked the gathering. Fr. Charles also conveyed his regards to us all and the meeting ended with a prayer and blessing by Archbishop.

After the meeting we went for Delhi Darsahan, where we met the members of the ICYM youth who were going to take part in the NYC at Jalandhar. We enjoyed their cultural programmes and we also taught them our YCS/YSM claps and action songs.  After supper we all returned home, some of them returned home except those who were taking part in the NYC.

Our sincere thanks to the Chairman, our ever loving National Chaplain, all the DYD's and RYD's, animators, our best friend Leo Anna and all my family members of NEXCO  and also all those who helped us for the success in this meeting. LET YCS/YSM LIGHT SHINE
                                                                                       

- Sharon M. Kalinse - National Secretary