Youth Ministry News

By Supriya Varghese

Bengaluru, July 2, 2024: The ICYM National Leaders' Alumni Gathering, held in Bangalore from June 16 to 17, 2024, proposed a collaborative leadership model for youth ministry in the Church. Organized by the CCBI Youth Commission, the gathering brought together over 40 former national leaders who had served the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) from 2000 to 2024.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, the Deputy Secretary General of CCBI, inaugurated the event and delivered the keynote address. He emphasized the call for Catholic leaders to serve their communities and advocated for youth leadership to collaborate with similar organizations to better serve their communities.

Dr. Alathara highlighted the significant role of youth within the Catholic Church, providing insights into CCBI's functions and history, and underscoring the importance of youth engagement in church activities and ICYM programs.

Fr. Chetan Machado, the Executive Secretary of the CCBI Youth Commission, elaborated on ICYM's initiatives and programmes, detailing their impact and contributions to the Church and society. Workshops were facilitated by Fr. Dominic Pinto, the Associate Executive Secretary to the CCBI Youth Commission, Fr. Joel D'Cunha, the former National Youth Director, Mr. Raj Bag, President, ICYM, Ms. Supriya Varghese, Secretary, ICYM, Mr. Sagar Gabbeta, Mr. Alison Pereira, Adv. Antony Judy, and Adv. Roshan Melwyn Lobo, the Secretary General of the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS).

The gathering aimed to foster consultation, idea exchange, and networking among youth alumni, encouraging their active contribution to the church and society. It provided a platform for discussing future initiatives and enhancing collaboration within the Catholic youth community, as ICYM prepares to celebrate its silver jubilee in 2025, having been founded on February 6, 2000, on the feast of Gonsalo Garcia, the ICYM patron saint. Former National Youth Directors Rev. Fr Joel and Fr Franklin D'Souza were present.

The ICYM is a parochial youth movement under the aegis of the CCBI Commission. The gathering commenced with the Holy Eucharist presided over by Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara and concluded on June 17, 2024.