Catholic Students' Meet

              Report of the Meeting of the Student Representatives

                              on Dec.3rd  at Mt. St. Thomas

A meeting of the Leaders/ Representatives of Catholic Youth movements like CSM,AICUF and Jesus Youth was held at Mt. St. Thomas on Dec.3^rd. Around 170 participants attended the meeting. It was inaugurated by Mar Jose Puthenveettil. In his address, he asked the students to develop a spirit of service along with their studies. He emphasized the need to deepen their faith in order to become good Christians as well as to be good citizens. Explicating the prayer Our Father, he showed the students how necessary it is  to develop a brotherly attitude to one another and to surrender oneself to God’s will .Such deepening of the faith is the best antidote to the pervasiveness of commercialism and selfishness. Sri Santimon Jacob, Dr.Vipin Roldant, Mrs.Anu George addressed the gathering.Fr.George Madathiparmapil and Dr.Chackocahn Njavallil  also spoke at the meeting. The students presented a lot of valuable suggestions at the workshop sessions. The music ministry was led by Poornima(Bhutan) and Mr.Sebastian.

Some of the suggestions that were proposed at the meeting are the following:

1. More training has to be given to the teachers in order to help a healthy relationship between the teachers and students

2.Catechism should be presented in a un understandable manner.

3.Catholic institutions should be merciful

4. Good relationship between the managements and students is needed.

5.More camps for students

6. Students should be encouraged to give their contributions back to the society.

7.Social media should be employed usefully for the Church

8.All colleges should be linked together through the social media.

9.Faith groups should be formed in colleges

10.Managements should support the activities of the students.

Report of the Campus Ministry Directors' Meeting

Report of the Campus Ministry Conference on Tuesday, June 17^th

Present: Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil, Bp.Mar Jose Puthenveettil and thirty delegates from the colleges.

The meeting was inaugurated by Abp. Mar Joseph Powathil. In his inaugural address, he explained the reasons behind the protection given to the Minorities in the Constitution of India. The Minority Educational Institutions are given special protection in order to keep the social balance in the country as the majority would always be in a position to preserve its culture without any Constitutional guarantees. Hence the minorities should pay special attention to preserve their values and spiritual traditions. The institutions belonging to the minorities have an obligation to keep and preserve their spiritual values and traditions.

 Bp. Mar Jose Puthenveettil in his presidential address asked the directors and chaplains to be with the students in their concrete situations of life and to be available to them. It would be much easier to draw them to the Lord, if the teachers are close to them. He mentioned the special way in which the present Holy Father approaches contemporary issues. His style of speaking about God through the concern he shows for the daily struggles of the people makes his words more acceptable and credible. He explained further the difference between the Theology of the past which was theology from above and the new trend of coming down to the level of people and then speaking to them about God as Theology from  below. He encouraged person to person evangelization.

Rev.Dr.George Danavelil gave a brief introduction to the “ Joy of the Gospel” through a power point presentation.

After the talks, the participants introduced themselves and then shared  their respective programmes and projects. Some of the common programmes mentioned during the sharing are the following:

Regular classes in Religion and Morals, Holding Eucharistic celebrations on week days as well as on first Fridays, Prayer vigils, Prayer meetings, Jesus Youth gatherings, CSM gatherings, Rosary devotions in October, Distribution of meals  to the poor ,Regional Arts competitions, Visiting the homes of the poor, Showing movies on Saints, Pro-life programmes for senior students, Retreats, audio-visual classes, Leadership Camps, Pilgrimages, Visiting Orphanages, Prayer Groups for Teachers, Value Education classes, Counseling sessions, Free noon Meals, First Friday devotions, Celebrating Christmas with street boys, Old clothes collection and distribution, Supply of meals for Orphanages, Visiting the homes of students, Bible classes, and Adorations. 

Dr.Chackochan Njavally gave the summary of the discussions of the committee meeting that was held previous to this meeting and gave an outline of the plans to be implemented in the current year. Dr. Chcokochan presented the two e-Campus magazines and explained how it could be done in the coming months as a bi-monthly.

Fr. Anish Angadiath spoke about the feasibility of publishing a Campus magazine.   

After lunch, the participants remained for a short discussion on a few special projects to be implemented this year.

The following are the new programmes that are visualized to be implemented this year:

1.     Preparing a common text book for Religion and Morals classes

2.     E-Campus newsletter

3.     A bi-monthly Campus magazine: Fr.Anish Angadiath from the Bharatha Matha college will be taking initiative in this matter and will publish a pilot magazine.

4.     Short-film competitions

5.     Music competitions

6.     Holding a meeting of the office bearers of Catholic organizations

7.     Seminars       

Mr. Justine Joseph of St. Joseph’s college proposed a vote of thanks at the end of the morning session.                                         

Inauguration of the Campus Ministry Dirctors' Meeting