Dimapur: 18.01.2017
From the evening of 10th January 2017 till 12th January, the campus of I-CARD, in Life Plus, Jorhat, resonated with the sounds and music of the Adivasi Catholic Youth from 10 parishes of Assam, viz Khobong, Tinsukia, Woka, Uriamghat, Lachitgaon, Naujan, Sarupathar, Bokakhat, Doigrung and Mariani, in addition to a few Mising youth. The programme was the first of its kind, and was meant to awaken the spirit of leadership and spirituality in young minds, leading them to action.
More than 70 youth attended this meet that saw resource persons from across Northeast India. Fr. Cletus from Don Bosco Socio-Technical Institute, Tezpur, Fr. Francis Hembrom from Sirajuli, Fr. Paul Rabha and Fr. Bivan from Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, Mr. Probin from Dibrugarh, Fr. K. A. Thomas from I-CARD and Fr. Ceasar from Woka, led the young participants into dynamic discussions on topics such as social transformation, sexuality and relationships, faith and politics, social media and Catholic Faith, popular devotions and spirituality, Catholic faith in today’s situations etc.
The days started and ended with two hour prayer sessions by a team of charismatic preachers led by John Bagh and team from Atabari of Dibrugarh. The young reciprocated vibrantly with the spiritual inputs given by this team, and they reported miracles and visions at the end of the sessions. The Eucharistic celebrations were presided by Fr. Paul Rabha and Fr. K. A. Thomas.
Fr. Paul Rabha of DBI Guwahati helped the young participants to chalk out an action plan to be put into effect by themselves in their day to day life, in their villages and in their parishes. All left the meeting emphatically promising to keep the lamp lit, and nurturing the tree that they planted in their hearts during the meet. They promised to bear fruit in plenty, fruit that will last.
Supporting the programme at every juncture were four dynamic youth leaders, Gyan Prakash, Miss Lucy, Sunil and Telephore from different youth organizations. Fr. K. A. Thomas planned the entire programme with the support of Eddie Kujur and Joseph Kawa of Bosco Institute, Jorhat. They had met all the parish priests in their parishes inviting them to send their young leaders. The parishes responded with full enthusiasm and sent the youth leaders. Each parish was asked to send 6 youth leaders.
This Catholic Youth Action meet will be followed by other meetings in different parishes within the next few months, evaluating the plans and their implementation.
Fr. Thomas Salew passes away
Dimapur: 10th January 2017
A young, dynamic, creative and energetic Salesian who captured the hearts of many a youngster in the person of Fr. Thomas Salew sdb breathed his last at 11.30 a.m. today,at Catholic Hospital, Koirengi, Imphal. Fr. Thomas Salew sdb has been suffering from lung cancer for over 2 years now. He was always seen to be enthusiatic and hopeful of any situation and any person. He was serving as a vice-principal of Don Bosco College, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, when he was diagnosed with cancer. The province of dimapur condoles the sad and unexpected demise of a salesian of this sort. May God grant eternal rest to his departed and well-prepared soul.
