Report: Fr. Julian, Daphne, Sharine
Jhansi ,Sep. 29: The National Student Leadership Training Programme was held at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Jhansi , U.P. Region from 24.09.’11 to 28.09.’11
Many were invited for the programme but only few responded to it. 10 participants from Orissa and 16 from Jhansi came for the programme and showed keen interest in the leadership programme.
The programme began with the warm welcome by Fr. Richard the Regional Chaplain followed by lighting of the lamp by Rev. Fr. Charles ‘The National Chaplain of YCS/YSM’, Fr. Peter Parapullil, the Vicar General of Jhansi Diocese, Sugandha and Angela Fernandez on the part of the participants. After a prayer dance, a short cultural programme was held in honor of the eminent guest and the participants. A skit based on neat and clean environment was appreciated and applauded by all. After that Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Peter Parapullil.
The first session began after lunch by Rev. Fr. Richard. At first all the participants and animators gave self introduction and later they were divided into 4 groups named on different types of environments. Then Fr. Richard continued his talk on ‘WORLD - GIFT OF GOD TO HUMANITY’ based on creation account of the scripture from Genesis Chap 1. In the second session at 6:30 he continued the theme with another enriching topic on USES AND ABUSES of this world gift of God to humanity. He also gave a gist of the history of YCS/YSM. He made his talk simple and interesting with the Power Point Presentation. A skit on environment was put up during the cultural evening by U.P. Region YCS/YSM.
25.09.’11 : The day began with Rev. Fr. Kantharaj, the Director of the Pastoral Center, Jhansi celebrating the Holy Mass on the theme GOD IN NATURE. At 8:30 the participants were informed about the exposure programme to 4 different sights keeping in view environment as the theme of YCS/YSM. The groups were taken to Railway Station & surroundings, Orcha the panoramic tourist site, Sabji Mandi (Vegetable Market) and to the slums. The purpose of the exposure programme was to make the participants to reflect on the YCS Methodology: ‘See, Judge and Act,’ on our environment. The groups met at 3:30 p.m. and held the analysis based on the exposure visit. At 6:30 p.m. all the groups shared their experiences and presented a brief report. During the cultural event at 8:30 p.m. the groups depicted the pathetic condition of the environment they were exposed to in the form of skits and came out with the good & strong message to how to change the Environment.
26.09.’11: The day began with a morning prayer conducted by Rev. Fr. George Chakallakal. Then Rev. Fr. Peter took up the sessions of the day as the main resource person with the theme based on EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP. He began his session with 2 group games and hinted out certain acts done by the leaders and the group members. Further in social analysis he spoke about the leadership in general, its qualities, types, etc. In session 5, he spoke about the social reality and YCS/YSM leadership, elaborating the need of taking leadership in society and neighborhood – How and when, responsibility, environment and our response –to save earth –ways and means. In the evening Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Christudas who in his sermon preached on the need to give up selfishness and live for others taking the examples from nature. At 8:30 p.m. the children put up their creative ideas into skits on different environmental themes. After the rosary everybody went to bed.
27.09.’11: The day began with Morning Prayer lead by Rev. Fr. Charles. Rev. Fr. Arul Raj was the main resource person of the day with his team comprising of Rev. Fr. Kantaraj and Rev. Fr. Christudas and Sr. Christine. A movie based on environment was shown to the participants and feedback was taken at regular intervals. The movie gave the message how to save earth from massive URBANIZATION at the expense of our beautiful earth for selfish motives. Then Rev. Fr. Kantaraj through the illustration of a story made us aware of need of protecting our natural resources. He also spoke about the Chipko movement in brief. After tea, Rev. Fr. Christudas took up the session. He gave a scientific presentation of the origin of the world and human beings. He also gave weight to his Thesis by taking some examples from different religious beliefs. He also spoke about the legal aspect of the government policies and environment. In the evening Sr. Christine talked on good leadership through group games and power point presentation.
28.09.’11: In the morning after the prayers students displayed charts on environment and explained them with good morals. A short evaluation was done through a questionnaire for their personal experience. Then an action plan was prepared taking into account all that is learnt during the National Students Leaders Training Programme.
At the concluding programme a cultural program was put up by the participants based on their experience and gave a strong message save nature and make earth. Rev. Fr. James SDB was the chief guest of concluding ceremony. Fr. Peter Parapullil gave away the certificates and gifts to the participants.
Fr. Richard thanked all those were a part of his team. Fr. Charles gratefully acknowledged the good work done by the Jhansi team and thanked them. Fr. Peter offered the final thanksgiving Eucharist and then everybody said good bye to each other with a strong resolution to be good leaders to save our mother earth.