Udupi Diocese News

By Anson Nazareth

Shirva, July 23 : July 21, 2024, marked a significant milestone for the Udupi Diocese with the successful commencement of the first-ever Deanery Beginners Camp at Pernal Church Hall, Shirva Deanery.

The event commenced at 1:45 PM with a solemn prayer led by Shirva deanery members, followed by a warm welcome speech delivered by Ms. Sweedal Mendonca, the YCS deanery president. The ceremony continued with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Fr. Jerome Monteiro - Parish priest of Our Lady of Fathima church, Pernal , Fr. Pascal Menezes - resident priest, Fr. Ronson Pinto -YCS Shirva Deanery Director, YCS Chaplain of Udupi diocese Rev Fr. Steevan Fernandes, Mr Richard Alvares - resource person, Mrs Maria Jacintha Furtado - deanery YCS Animator. Mr Anson Nazareth - National President of YCS YSM INDIA and Mr Flavian Mendonca & Jiya Coutinho along with YCS Udupi diocesan president Mr Joshwa Fernandes inaugurated the programme.

Fr. Steevan Fernandes addressed the gathering with an insightful speech, which was followed by a brief address from Fr. Jerome Monteiro, concluding the formal proceedings of the camp.

The subsequent session was conducted by Anson Nazareth, the National YCS YSM President of India, who initiated the members with introductions and conducted an engaging ice-breaking session. The youth enthusiastically participated in action songs and ice breaking session under his guidance.

Followed by the session was led by Mr Richard Alvares, who has served as the animator of YCS YSM for more than 30 years, where he enlightened the young minds about the vision, aims, and objectives of the movement. Mr Alvares also facilitated a session on cell life and the YCS methodology, actively involving the participants.

The dean of Shirva Deanery, Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D'Souza, was present and interacted with the youth, delivering a great message on the rich methodology of YCS YSM, i.e., See Judge and Act, which was given to them by their inspirational founder, Cardinal Joseph Cardijn.

A total of 110 participants who are studying in their first year of PUC attended this programme.

YCS Shirva Deanery expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr Richard Alvares for his valuable contribution. National President Anson Nazareth then led a group activity and another group dynamics with values, culminating in a Vote of thanks and a closing prayer song, marking the conclusion of camp at Shirva Deanery.