By Ancy D'Souza, Paladka
New Delhi, Aug 11: ICYM present National Executive Committee (NEXCO) members together with former NEXCOs bid farewell to Fr Franklin D’souza who served as ICYM national youth director from 2011 to 2014 and welcomed the newly appointed director Fr Deepak K J Thomas OCD.
The youth expressed their gratitude and sentiments for the tireless services, enthusiasm, motivation, love and spiritual leadership of Fr Franklin. President Ravi Robin Ronak from 2010-2012 batches expressed his sentiments. He said Fr Franklin’s smile and positive thinking as well as his spirituality motivated me. Fr Franklin welcomes everyone with an open heart. Expressing his sentiments Prashanth who served as ICYM national office staff said that Fr Franklin loves everyone equally. His trust in me has inspired me. I am really blessed to serve in ICYM national office under his leadership. He manages and balances his ministry and mission with utmost love for youth and the church.
First ICYM NYD Fr Joel D’cunha applauded yeomen services of Fr Franklin. He acknowledged that Fr Franklin brought a spiritual touch to ICYM movement. He thanked God for giving ICYM a priest like Fr Franklin. First ICYM NYLA Sr Mary Lobo expressed her gratitude for the services of Fr Franklin. ICYM first president Roshan Alexander expressed his joy and gratitude to Fr Franklin for leading the movement with enthusiasm. He said that Fr Franklin is a man of conviction and deep faith in Jesus. He brought in the faith aspect very convincingly in the movement. ICYM former president Olima Minj expressed her sentiments and gratitude by saying Fr Franklin was a real father to all of us. He spent maximum time with us whenever we needed to sit and talk to him individually. His advice and prayers helped us to attain success in our lives.
From the present batch Julia Joseph thanked God for Fr Franklin. She said that I am what I am today because of his motivation. He relies on God in all situations. She thanked Fr Franklin for his love and patience in forming and leading ICYM.
Fr Joel then felicitated Fr Franklin and presented the memento on behalf of the youth.
Accepting the felicitation Fr Franklin expressed his sentiments thanking God for what he has done in his life. He said the credit goes to my Lord Jesus. His Word has inspired me. What you see in me is not I but Christ in me. The Word of God has changed my life. Jesus teaches us to love unconditionally. He said he was motivated by the unconditional love of Jesus and His Word. He said that position and chair do not matter in the ministry. We are chosen and called to do His will. I have satisfaction in my mission because Lord Jesus has guided and also guarded me. I have one desire which is to proclaim his love till my last breath. He also said that with this first meet of ICYM NEXCOs alumni my dream for forming the alumni has come true. He thanked the CBCI for their trust in him. He also thanked all those who have accompanied him in these four years of youth ministry.
The team also welcomed Fr Deepak K J Thomas OCD, with full gusto and encouraged to come forward and take up the position of national youth director for ICYM. The team promised him of their support in every possible way to elevate ICYM to greater heights. Sr Mary Lobo felicitated Fr Deepak and welcomed him warmly. Fr Deepak K J Thomas OCD shared his testimony and said that I accept this appointment as God’s will. He also sought help from everyone to carry forward the mission of ICYM. He thanked Fr Franklin’s selfless service to the ICYM.
ICYM national joint treasurer as well as Apna Yuva Spandan editor Julia Jospeh compered the programme.