Media release
Mangaluru, Jul 1: Sooraj Noronha Siddakatte has been elected as the president of Young Catholic Students (YCS), Mangaluru Diocese for the year 2019-20.
The election was held during the annual general body meeting of the diocesan YCS on Sunday, 30 June at Rosario Cultural Hall, Mangaluru.
The meeting was inaugurated by Fr Ronald Serrao, rector of St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu in a unique manner. He added different colours into water and the sparkles were lit by the dignitaries.
The ice-breaking session was conducted by the YCS Central Council. Norbert Lobo, HOD Economics at St Aloysius College gave a talk on ‘How youth can be a model to each other through values of Christ.’
The rector of the Rosario Cathedral, Fr J B Crasta celebrated the Holy Mass. The election committee conducted the elections under the leadership of the election commissioner for the day Melrida Rodrigues, Balkunje.
YCS aims at 'Building a New Society by Self Change,’ with the methodology of ‘Awareness - Reflection – Action- Evaluation.'
Deona D’Souza Ferar welcomed the gathering. Rohan D’Costa proposed the vote of thanks.
Valedictory ceremony
The concluding ceremony was presided over by Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore Diocese. The National YCS/YSM coordinator Jesvita Princy Quadras and honorary editor of ‘Yuvatare’ the YCS/YSM magazine Richard Alvares were also present on the dais with other dignitaries. Joshua D’Souza welcomed the gathering. Outgoing president Ashvia Anna Lasrado Permannur and joint secretary Einstein Pinto, Bajal shared their experiences in YCS. Diocesan director Fr Rupesh Madtha led the oath-taking and handing-over ceremony for the new council.
The newly-elected office bearers of YCS Mangaluru Diocese 2019-20:
Sooraj Noronha, Siddakatte - President, Carol Santhumayor, Bejai - General Secretary, Joston Lobo, Vittal - Vice President, Ancilla Preema Sequeira, Agrar- Joint Secretary, Rishanth Keith Fernandes, Vamanjoor – Treasurer, Veekshitha Dsouza, Mudipu - Yuvatare Editor, Romald J Serrao, Bantwal - Liturgy Secretary, Megan Crasta, Angelore – Cultural Secretary, Samantha Feorina Saldanha, Kulshekar- Regional Representative. Navil Rodrigues, Kirem – Regional Representative
The outgoing Central Council along with the bishop felicitated director Fr Rupesh Madtha on his decennial celebration of priesthood. The outgoing YCS Diocesan Executive Committee was felicitated with mementos and certificates. The YCS/YSM Mangalore annual magazine ‘Yuvatare 2018-19’ was also released under the leadership of Deona D’Souza, Yuvatare editor. The 34 units scored hundred percent result in PUC 18-19. State level topper in commerce PUC 18-19 Ms Olvita Dsouza Kirem, highest seller of lucky coupons Beltangady and Bethany Medeline Mulky were felicitated. The new Konkani YCS song was approved and declared as the YCS Konkani anthem in the diocese.
The bishop was felicitated with a memento. In his presidential address, the bishop gave a call to the young students to instill values in them. The general secretary Jean Lobo Ashoknagar proposed the vote of thanks. The diocesan animator Prajwal Sequeira Derebail and diocesan coordinator Mervin Vas Ferar were on the dais.
Anoma Lobo, Bendore and Jane Mascarenhas, Valencia compered the programme.
More than 400 leaders from 76 parishes/YCS units participated in the programme.