KARNATAKA REGIONAL YOUTH MEET 2023
SALESIAN SISTERS – BANGALORE PROVINCE
On 18 November 2023, the portals of the splendid campus of the Sacred Heart Provincial House – Bangalore, was open to welcome the young people of six communities of the state of Karnataka, for the Regional Youth Meet 2023, with the theme: ‘Like Mary, Arise and Shine’, under the leadership of Sr. Mary Rani – The Karnataka regional youth delegate. Soon the venue found 140 young boys and girls, with their friendly giggles and fun-filled joy. 9 vibrant FMAs accompanied them to the gathering in the FIDES multipurpose hall for the two-days event!
The inaugural ceremony at 10am ignited the gathering with the AYM anthem in the air. Sr. Sherly Joseph FMA (Animator – Sacred Heart Convent), Sr. Teresa Augustine FMA (Novice Animator), Sr. Maria Rajeshwari FMA (Provincial Councillor- Youth Pastoral) and Sr. Sumi Joseph FMA (Director _ FIDES) along with two youth representatives adorned the dais and lit thetraditional lamp of hope and inaugurated the event.
The exciting icebreaking session was conducted by Sr. Venila Dominic and Sr. Shyla Anthonappa, after which Sr. Maria Rajeshwari, presented the Vision, Mission of AYM (Auxilium Youth Movement) and a glimpse of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The sumptuous meal was followed by the competition of Theme Presentation – ‘Like Mary, Arise and Shine’.
The young people had prepared mime, skit, dance etc on the theme and presented the same. Such a thought provoking, colourful marvellous presentation by the youth and for the youth! Surprises kept unfurling each time as day kept rolling by! It was time for ‘Youth Cafe’! Sr. Arokia Mary and Sr. Saleth Mary had prepared seven coffee tables with seven resource persons namely, Sr. Alice Chacko, Sr. Agnes Fernandez, Sr. Bincy Thomas, Sr. Nirmala Mummadi, Sr. Priya Arunvannan, Sr.
Padmini Vincent and Novice Maria George with the seven topics of *Protect theEnvironment at home, *Life skills, *Positive Attitude, *Communication skills,
*Building Virtuous youth, *Time management skills, *Benefits of instruction media respectively. The session was for about ten minutes, while the animators remained in the same tables, the participants kept moving round the tables to complete all the sessions.
Time to recollect and silence oneself! Sr. Mary Rani and Sr. Joshna led the group into Taize Prayer. The environment was made conducive as it was prepared with utmost care with lamps and plants. With deep reflections and melodious chant, the young people raised their hearts to the Divine. The climax of the day was the competition of cultural presentation! Various cultural forms of Karnataka namely: Kolaata, Kamsala, Dollu kunita, Bolak-aat (Kodava Dance) and Yakshagaana was presented in the best way possible. It was irresistible feast for the eyes and heart. The hall resounded with exciting cries of the young people and rhythmic melodies of music and dance. The next day found the sun shinning bright, with birds chirping in the air. Youngsters were led to a ‘Dry-stick meditation’ in an open ground with fresh air. Srs. Venila and Shyla carried out this task very efficiently. The young minds came up with jaw dropping reflection on the dryness of life and bringing back freshness to it. Followed by a delicious breakfast, Fr. John Sanjay SDB from Don Bosco College T C Palya, animated a session for about an hour. The session was activity
based and so the participants enjoyed to the full. Holy Mass was celebrated for all the participants with few initiatives which would help the young to pray. The culmination was the valedictory function which summarised the sentiments of gratitude to each other, expression of appreciation and most importantly the results of the competition. With melody of AYM anthem in the air, the curtains of Karnataka Regional Youth Meet were drawn down wishing each other good wishes to arise and shine, like Mary!
