Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) is the National Youth Organization of the CBCI Commission for Youth, which was approved by the Standing Committee of CBCI on 14th September 1999 and was inaugurated on 16 February 2000. Its membership is open to the Catholic Youth of Indian Nationality between the ages of 15 to 30 year who subscribe to Catholic values and principles. The beneficiaries are the youth, not only Christian but also of other faiths.
The CBCI Commission for Youth began in 1972. It was consolidated in 1985, when the United Nations Organization declared it as the “International Year of the Youth” The Youth Commission undertakes a variety of programs for Fellowship, Faith Formation and Social Welfare Service in 149 dioceses in India represented by 12 Regions.
Vision And Mission
Integral Development of Youth for Society and Church by inculcating the Gospel Values, Principles and Leadership in order to be the Agents of Change “by Formation through Action.”
Leading Youth to employment and to serve the national integrity through dialogue and to shine like “sentinels of morning” in the Church and society.
Aims
The aim of the ICYM is to co-ordinate and empower the human potentials of youth based on the Gospel values, to make effective agents of change in the socio-religious and cultural reality of India through National Integration. It also aims at making the youth committed to the mission of the Church and the country.
The ten resource persons chosen from various fields unfolded the potentialities of the youth and highlighted the different skills needed for the Youth Ministry.
Youngsters in this computer age are influenced by globalization and consumerism. These currents are gradually eroding the fabric of social life and community living. A spirit of individualism is creeping in. There is a tendency for the youth to fall prey to this new way of life. There are some youngsters who put their queries such as: What gives meaning to life? What are the ultimate goals of life? Why is there so much pain, misery and suffering? Every parent, teacher, pastor or youth animator is called upon to accompany the youth in their spiritual journey. They need guidance and counseling at the crossroads of their lives. They have carving for love and affection.
Acceptance, affirmation, intimacy and relationships are the four psychological needs of the youth, which need to be attended. The youth is entrusted to the care of the parents, guardians, teachers, pastors etc. These persons shape and mould the lives of the youngsters, just like a potter who gives shape to a pot. They must be friends, guides, counselors and philosophers to the youth.
John Powell, the priest psychologist says, “The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.”
There are some parents who have never expressed their love to their children. There are some parents who immediately call the attention of the children and warn them whenever they are found guilty and naughty, act in stupid ways and behave in a childish manner, but fail to recognize them whenever they are awarded prizes in the competitions or pass the examinations with high marks or grades. Yet I have come across so many parents who acknowledge their children whenever they do well either in examination or in other activities.
The Time is Now
The time is now for you to tell your children that you love them! The time is now to acknowledge the good work of your children. The time is now to allow them to grow fully and freely without prohibitions and constraints. We have to create a space for the youth to be fully human and fully alive. It is our moral duty to initiate the process of animating the youth for fullness of life. Love is a must for human growth and to become fully human.
John Powell also says, ;Love demands that I learn how to focus my attention on the needs of those I love.” It is a bounden duty of each parent at home, each teacher at school and each pastor at the parish to focus the attention on the needs of the youth.
On the occasion of the 22nd World Youth Day celebrated in the dioceses on the Palm Sunday this year, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Love is possible , and the purpose of my message is to help reawaken in each one or you-you who are the future and hope of humanity, - trust in a love that is true, faithful and strong; a love that generates peace and joy; a love that binds people together and allows to feel free in respect for one another. Let us now go on a journey together in three stages, as we embark on a “discovery of love.”
It is the mission of the youth to establish harmony in their families by their positive attitude and behaviour, to work for the solidarity in the society by their collaborative spirit and to bring peace in the world by their generous acts of love and charity. When the youngsters contribute towards these goals, then the words of the message of the Pope will be realized.
* * * * * * * * *
Copied from Fr. Agnelo’s call
Benedict XVI to Youth: Open the Doors to Christ
Benedict XVI told young people in Assisi that they are his joy, just as they were for Pope John Paul II. The final event of the day was a meeting with young people. Some 10,000 youth, who had been gathered since dawn in the square outside the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, were on hand for the address. The Holy Father extended the meeting for a half-hour longer than planned.
The youth were invited to address questions to the Holy Father. One young man, Marco Giuliani, said: ”We have thousands of questions, but it is hard to find convincing answers. We are tempted to think that the truth doesn’t exist, that each person has his own truth. “Naturally we like to be happy, but we, too, feel, like the Pope, that merely having fun will not make us happy. Help us, Holy Father, to understand, and to make St. Francis’ experience our own.” A young woman, Haria Perticoni, said, Holy Father, Francis fascinates us but it is not easy to follow him, imitate him. “Benedict XVI responded: “St. Francis speaks to every one, but I know he has a special attraction for you young people. Your great presence here confirms that, as do the questions you asked me. “His conversion happened during the most vital time of his life, of his experiences, of his dreams. He lived 25 years without coming to terms with the meaning of life. A few months before he died he would recall that time in his life as the time that he was ‘in sin. “The Pope offered Francis and Clare as models for facing the numerous problems that often afflict the life of young people. “Many youths fall victims to drug use in search of an artificial happiness, or became prey of a culture that exalts egoism, “the Holy Father said. “This was also the drama of Francis’ life before his conversion.” “Your life’s compass, “said the Pope, taking a break from his prepared remarks, “must be the truth, because without truth the foundation for peace is lost.” He continued: “Francis’ commitment to peace is also to be seen as a form of prayer. This aspect of his life is of great contemporary importance in a world that has so much need of peace yet does not manage to achieve. “Francis was a man of peace and an architect of peace. He showed as much in the mildness with which he approached men of other faiths, yet without silencing his own faith in the presence of men of other faiths, as we see in his meeting with the sultan.”
Benedict XVI then invited the young people to join him in Loreto in early September for his meeting with Italian youth. “Open the doors to Christ. Open them as Francis did, without fear, without calculations, without measure,” the Pope exhorted the young people. He affectionately concluded, “You are, dear young people, my joy, as you were for John Paul II”
* * * * * * * * *
YOUTH SEMINAR OF TAMIL NADU REGIONAL CO-ORDIANTION COMMITTEE.
The first youth seminar organized by the youth wing of the Tamil Nadu Regional Co-ordination Committee was held at Good News Centre, Tuticorin on 29th and 30th April, 2006. with Bro. Anthony Kempuraj, the Tamil Nadu Regional Co-ordinatior, was in the chair. The seminar was inaugurated on 29th April 2006 at 10 a.m. by Dr. S. Pious, Editor of Reach Out and President of Tuticorin Central Council in the presence of Bro. Arockiasamy, the National Secretary, in which 90 boys from all over Tamil Nadu attended.
After the initial self-introductions by participants and invocation, Bro. A.S.A. Michael. TRCC-South Zone youth representative, welcomed the gathering. Bro. Velankanniraj, TRCC. North Zone youth representative presented the last meeting minutes and it was approved by the members.
Bro. S. Pious, in his inaugural address expressed the importance of youth in spreading the message of Christ around them. Rev. Fr. J. Rathnaraj, Spiritual Advisor of Tuticorin C.C, Bro. Xavier Methodius, Tuticorin PC President, Bro. G. Amalraj, Lions Town PC President offered felicitations.
After the inaugural session Bro. J. Arockiasamy, National Secretary spoke on “Vincentian Spirit which leads to peaceful life” by quoting several examples from his life. After the lunch, Tuticorin C.C. arranged a pilgrimage picnic to Shrine Basillica of Our Lady of Snows, Shrine of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Alandalai, Holy Cross Shrine at Manapadu (by boat) Chetivilai, St. Mary’s Shrine which is in the underground and Ovari, St. Antony Shrine.
After dinner at Ovari, TRCC. Youth General Body meeting was held and they discussed their annual plan.
This picnic was arranged and sponsored by Tuticorin C.C. with generous support of Manapadu PC, C.C. youth wing and St. Andrew’s Conference, Ovari.
On 30th April after morning prayers, the second session started at 8 a.m. which consisted of two talks, the first by Bro. N. Soundara Raj, entitled “the Role of Youth on Future Vincentian Service”. The secpmd talk was given by Bro. Johnson, TRCC yoth. Co-ordinator offered his felicitation.
After the second session, the Most Rev. Fr. Dr. Yvon Ambroise the Bishop of Tuticorin concelebrated high mass, with Rev. Fr. J. Rathanraj and Rev. Fr. Jerosine A. Kattar.
In his homily the Bishop exhorted the young people to do their work emulating the spirit of Our Lord Jesus Christ and also the spirit of their patron St. Vincent de Paul. In this function Bishop Yvon Ambroise distributed scholarships to the students of Tuticorin C.C. and two sewing machines to the two poor women.
Before concluding, the participants were divided into groups for discussion which generated a lot of interest and lively interaction among the participants and resolutions were passed. The participants attended this seminar opinioned that this seminar has created awareness about the Society and this will lead to more involvement of the youth in the Society’s activities.
The youth present were so impressed by the two day’s programmes that they requested for similar seminars for the youth at Conference and P.C. level in order to promote team spirit and to co-rodinate the activities of the Society.
By a vote of thanks proposed by Bro. J.M. Anto Ruben, Project officer of Tuticorin Central Council, the seminar drew to a successful close.
YOUTH WORK CAMP
The Vincentian team of Thuckalay Central Council conducted a work camp. On 11.01.2006 at Thuckalay Govt. Hospital, as it was done last year at Arumanai Govt. Hospital. 235 Vincentians from all over the diocese including ladies assembled at Thuckalay Govt. Hospital. Most of them came with the needed tools, to clean the bushy place. They were divided into 6 groups and work assigned to each group. The work as formally started by very Rev, Fr. Dominic Palanthinkal the Spiritual Adviser, Central Council of Thuckalay. The other dignitaries who graced this work camp were Rev. Fr. Dr. Christu Dhas, Thuckalay Diocese Catechism Director and Rev. Fr. Vargheese, Headmaster, St. Joseph High School, Pilankalai. Bro. Barotta S. Kumar, Youth Representative, Central Council of Thuckalay organized the work in an efficient way. The Vincentians removed the decayed bushes and burnt them. Under the leadership of Rev. Bro. Geo some Vincentians Cleaned the drainage and the cycle shed. Most of the members of Thuckalay Central Council also took part in the work camp. They were Bro. Deva Raj, Council President, Bro. Maria Dhas, Vice President, Bro. Soundar Raj Adviser, Bro. Manivannan, Treasurer, Bro. Thanka Swamy, Bro. Robert Paul, Bro. Lawrence and Bro. Edwinson. The Chief Doctor of Thuckalay Government Hospital.
**************
Bro. P. Vincent Antony has been appointed as the YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE of the National Council of India, his address and telephone number is as under.
Bro. P. Vincent Antony.
32,2nd Street, Kamaraj Nagar,
Ennore,
Chennai - 600 057.
Phone: 98 843 87011