Media release
Panaji, May 25: The 18th national council of Young Catholic Students/Young Student Movement (YCS/YSM) elected its office bearers at St Joseph Vaz Renewal Centre, Old Goa on May 23. Deril D’Sa from Udupi was elected as president and convener along with election of other office bearers from different regions of India.
Dr Ignatius D’ Souza, bishop of Bareilly and member bishop of CCBI youth commission exhorted the newly elected office bearers to be fruitful in the ministry by being vibrant and active in the movement. Fr Chethan Machado, national chaplain of YCS/YSM India administered oath to NT/EXCO members in the presence of about 150 delegates, animators, chaplains and guests from across the country.
A study session was held earlier on May 17 with a formal inaugural programme prior to the council and election.
Fr Juze Remedios, Vicar general of the archdiocese of Goa and Daman presided over the inaugural ceremony while Captain Viriato Fernandes graced the occasion as the chief guest. The programme was inaugurated by hoisting the national flag and the YCS flag by the Chief Guest. Captain Fernandes in his address asked the students to lead from the front through initiatives. Fr Chethan Machado, national chaplain of YCS/YSM India welcomed the gathering and stressed that we need leaders who contribute while urging the students to evaluate their lives, to see the needs of the society and people, judging them with sensitivity and to act with precision and effectiveness.
The inauguration was followed by the Eucharistic celebration with Fr Juze Remedios as the main celebrant. Fr Savio D’ Souza, diocesan chaplain of Goa in his thought provoking homily challenged the youth to break open the paths just like Jesus.
The council in the initial five days deliberated on the theme ‘young students for youthful life: self identity; safe school and new society’. It paved the way for the theme and thrusts for the next three years of the movement in India.
The national council began on May 23 with a high mass offered by Fr Prakash Salagi, former national chaplain of YCS/YSM India. It was followed by commencement of council chaired by Jesvita Quadras, national president. The gathering included the national executive committee of YCS/YSM India for the period 2016-2019, regional leaders from eight regions that together constitute the National Council, together with few invitees with the movement.
The new National Team elected during this council will lead the movement in the country for the next three years.
The elected members are : Deril D'Sa of Udupi – the convener (president), K Mac Melvin of Hyderabad– general secretary, Caleb D' Mello of Goa – treasurer, Anjalina Ekka of Delhi – liturgy and cultural secretary, C Tony of Madurai and Ashita Jimmy of Indore – editors of the Search magazine. Other members of the national team are: Cyphan Mascarenhas from Goa, Arpit Katara from MP, Abolon Taro from Guwahati, A Anusha from Kottar Kanyakumari, L Joseph Reddy from Hyderabad and Oscar Martin from Bareilly.
The national council came to an end with a solemn concluding programme, evaluation and an exposure visit on May 24.