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