New Delhi: Former National Executive Committee (NEXCO) members of ICYM met together at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Nagpur Archdiocese from 8-10 August and formed an alumni to render support for the development of ICYM at the national level.
Nagpur is a promised land for CBCI Youth Mission. CBCI Youth mission has many happy memories connected with the place. It dates back to the year 2000, with the kick start of a peace rally started from the Zero mile of Nagpur. Youth Commission’s first Chairman Bishop Abraham Virathukulangara (Archbishop of Nagpur) donated 15 acres land for the CBCI National Youth Movement. Now, another land mark from Nagpur is being established, an alumni of former ICYM leaders from the year 2000 to 2014. NEXCO has formed ICYM NEXCO’s Alumni in order to support the ICYM movement and give back to ICYM, which has formed and motivated them. 27 ICYM leaders, including 5 former presidents, together with the first ICYM National Director Fr Joel Lobo and the first National Youth Lady Animator Sr. Mary Lobo took part in it. Together with ICYM National Office, ICYM first President Roshan Alexander and his team took lead in coordinating the program. Every one gathered with one thought, “it is time to give back to ICYM”.
This alumni meet was a result of the informal alumni gathering that the 1st NEXCO batch had in Mumbai in the month of May, 2015. The members present there together with the NYD Fr Franklin felt that we should come back as a formal alumni association to bring our experiences in further enhancing ICYM.
Day 1 (August 8): Fr Joel D’Cunha offered the inaugural Mass and prayed for the success of the Alumni meet. The first half of the day was spent in Bonding, Knowing and Communicating. The members spent time in getting to know each other, the progress each individual made after moving on from NEXCO.
Fr Joel presented the Genesis of the youth movement – ‘ICYM’ in helping the members to get a good understanding of the movement and associated aspects. The alumni had the gracious presence of Archbishop Abraham Viruthukulangara, who blessed them with his words of inspiration.
Roshan Alexander presented an emotional presentation revisiting memories of their journey in ICYM from the year 2000 onwards to the alumni meet in Mumbai, setting the context for onward action plan. Present NYD Fr Franklin D’Souza in continuation to this presented the ICYM burgeoning video reconnecting each one back to our bond with ICYM.
The members got together in their respective teams to discuss about the challenges faced by ICYM and how we could get together as alumni association and contribute in enhancing the movement.
The team visited the ‘Yuva Gram’ site to witness and visualise the possible developments to be made there in making it a reality. The team put in thoughts as to how the Association could be instrumental in initiating and accomplishing the basic structure at Yuva Gram, to empower the Youth Office to establish itself at Yuva Gram, there on mobilising resources in converting the dream of Yuva Gram into a reality.
The alumni spent the rest of the day in putting their minds together in preparing a Vision Mission statement for the Alumni Association. The statement has the following detailed out:
1. Vision
2. Mission
3. Goal
4. Objectives
5. Programmes
6. Activities
7. Indicators
8. Structure
9. Finance
The eventful day came to an end with the alumni bidding farewell to Fr Franklin D’Souza and welcoming Fr Deepak to his new office. The youth expressed their gratitude and sentiments for the tireless services of Fr Franklin, for his enthusiasm, motivation, love and spiritual leadership. Fr Joel felicitated Fr Franklin and presented a memento on behalf of the youth.
The team welcomed Fr Deepak KJ Thomas OCD with full gusto to come forward and take up charge as the 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.
Day 2 (August 9): The proceedings began by revisiting the events of the previous day.
The members shared the experiences of their journey in ICYM, of
1. How was I before ICYM?
2. What is the change ICYM brought in my life?
3. How have I converted the inspiration into action point?
Following this, we had discussions on the following points
1. Programs to be undertaken and role of Alumni
2. Current programs of ICYM and how NEXCO can be merged in the current programs
3. Challenges at Regional and Diocese level that need to be addressed prior to launch of programs e.g. membership drive
4. Apna Yuva Spandan
a. How do we go about improving the contribution of articles?
b. AYS a publicity tool for ICYM and importance of print media
c. To improve circulation of AYS to Diocesan youth presidents to begin with
Following this intervention, the Convenor Committee of all ICYM presidents met to chalk out the programs that the Alumni will support.
The next Alumni Meet was announced for 29 & 30 May in the year 2016.