Mangaluru: The official cross of Regional Youth Convention that was handed over to the Diocese of Mangalore, started its journey to the parishes of Mangaluru on July 19, from the Bishop’s house, Kodialbail. The journey began with great enthusiasm to reach it towards every youth of the diocese on the occasion of the Year of Youth, as well as to pray for the success of Regional Youth Convention (RYC-2019) that is to be held in the Diocese of Bellary in the month of October.
Indian Catholic Youth Movement, Central Council, Mangalore Diocese under the guidance of the Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Most. Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha and under the mentorship of Yuvaspoorthi Rev. Fr. Ronald Prakash D’Souza, Director, ICYM Mangalore Diocese flagged off the journey of Synod Cross at 04.30 PM. Bishop Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha blessed the Synod Cross as the journey took off. In his homily, Bishop expressed the significance of the cross to the Christian faith and why the youth should always be oriented towards the cross whenever they face any problems.
Yuvaspoorthi Rev. Fr. Ronald Prakash D’Souza led the prayer service along with Leon Loyd Saldanha, Diocesan Youth President. The Synod Cross was taken in procession with a fleet of cars to St. John the Baptist Church, Permude in the vicinity of Pezar Deanery. Rev. Fr. Edwin Correa, Parish Priest received the cross on behalf of the youth of Pezar Deanery and Permude Unit and led the gathering to the church. The parish priest led the prayer service. Yuvaspoorthi Rev. Fr. Ronald Prakash D’Souza, Director, ICYM Mangalore Diocese, Sr. Jessy Rita, Lady Animator, Karnataka Regional Youth Commission, Leon Loyd Saldanha, Bendoor, Diocesan Youth President, Veena Shalet Vas, Shaktinagar, Diocesan General Secretary, ICYM Mangalore Diocese, the members of Central Council, ICYM Mangalore Diocese and many youths from Pezar Deanery as well from the Diocese were present.