Dimapur, Feb 28: The four-day meeting cum seminar of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM) came to a close on February 27 at Mount Tabor Retreat Centre, Kohima.
Presidents and secretaries of NCYM units and affiliated tribal youth associations took part in the programme.
The programme began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided by Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima. In his homily, Bishop invited the leaders to root themselves with the values of the Gospel and be shining example for others.
Ruangmei, OSD NSDMA, Kohima, spoke on the theme “Catholic youth facing the challenges today.” He began the session on the explosion of media and the vast possibilities for a progress and the danger attached to it. He also exhorted the young people to establish new culture for NCYM- a culture of love, peace, entrepreneurship, farsightedness etc. He further challenged the youth leaders to play prophetic role in the society by raising out voice for truth and standing for justice. Fr. Richard Fernandes, who spoke on “Youth and liturgy” emphasised the need to know the Holy Eucharist for a meaningful participation in it.
The participant of the World Youth Day, Ms. Limasungla, participant of Convention of Indian, Catholic Youth Movement, Noel Mego, and participant of Global Peace summit Benedict took the stage to share their experiences.
Rev. Fr. Sojan Xavier, Youth Director of the Diocese of Kohima, invited the participants to be part of the Pope Francis’ dream of having a million young Christians or even the whole generation who are for their contemporaries “walking, talking social doctrine.”
He began his session with statement that the purpose of every faith formation effort in the church is oriented towards enabling people to be disciples of Jesus, who are ready to witness him in the world. He also explained the origin, content and purpose of catechism. Referring to Pope Benedict XVI, he said, every youth must put effort to know what the church teaches in order to resist the temptations of the present time and witness Jesus.
On February 26, participants made a pilgrimage to Puliebadze and had the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Sojan Xavier. It was followed by the meeting at the base camp of the Puliebadze peak, during which report of the NCYM and that of the units were presented besides working out action plans.
Among the agendas, the most important was the upcoming NCYM Convention at Holy Redeemer, Tobu, and Diocesan Level Bible Quiz.
In the interactive question-hour session, Fr. Mathew Keemattam, parish priest of St. Dominic Church, Chiephobozou; Fr. Richard Fernades from Bishop’s House, Kohima; and Fr. Sojan Xavier, clarified the queries and doubts of the participants.
In the evening, a team led by Rev. Dr. Anto CP, Richard Korn and Mrs. Madeleine Trichel Ohio, Columbus, USA, addressed the participants. Fr. Anto exhorted the participants to work of peace, while Richard Korn invited them to be practitioners of Gospel in their life. Mrs. Madeleine Trichel, a renounced person specialised in conflict resolution and working among the prisoners, shared her inspiration of working among the prisoners and also shared some modes of addressing the conflicting situation.
