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 The Youth movement of Pathicad Church, which is 124
years old, has passed 50 years in the field of their golden work. It was in the
beginning of the 1950's, that the movement was started with small prayer
meeting. Thereafter it changed into an organization which started to cooperate
with the spiritual matters of parish. Along with the growth of parish, the
movement started to produce better fruits and it became an opportunity for the
youngsters to cooperate with each other. Under the guidance of the church the
youth movement formed a special constitution of its own and thus it became a
better unit in the Niranam Diocese. In 1980's the movement started to acquire
strength and in the 90's it grew into a strong spiritual organization of the
parish. In 1991, when it was chosen as the best unit in the Niranam Diocese, it
became a role model of many other parishes as well.
In 1996-1997, it was once again elected as the best unit. Thereafter it changed
into one of the most outstanding units in the diocese. From 2000 onwards, it
was remained an essential element to the parish. During this time, the movement
achieved a miraculous growth. A great number of youngsters became members of
the movement. At present it continues as the best unit in the Mallappally
district. The joined hands of the members and regular cooperation among them is
the secret behind this achievement. As the movement completes this 50th year of
service it shines as an eternal candle in this parish area.
The movement
works with the aim of Worship, Study, and Service. The movement gives
importance to the work which gives mental growth out of worship, personality
development out of study and with service we proclaim virtue of society. The
movement give earnest cooperation in the spiritual matters like Qurbana,
worship, perunal (Feasts), OVBS etc. of the parish. On Saturdays after evening
prayers the members meet at the church where we join together in singing
spiritual hymns, Bible reading, class on Bible study, seminars and quiz
competitions which make the programme lively. Also this unit participate in the
programmes like conferences, district meeting and also in cultural and sports
competitions conducted by the diocese. This unit has got the golden opportunity
to conduct two one-day conferences. Parish also became the spot of district
conferences. Helping the needy people is the key point of this unit. This unit
used to help the needy people by constructing houses, giving aid for their
treatment, educational help for the children, providing them with umbrellas and
the like. A house had been constructed in both 1993 and 2003. The unit also
visited leprosy hospitals at Nooranad and Koratti as well as a house for the
physically handicapped in Trivandrum and Prathyasha bhavan in Kunnamthanam and
gave proper aid to them. The unit regularly visits Panayambala Balabhavan, one
of the main project the church. It also supplied clothes and medicines to the
places at Kalhandi in Orissa where we couldn't visit. Apart from this, the
movement rose with helping hands during earthquakes, flooding etc. for the
suffering people. As a part of this unit a group named 'Rektadana Sena' is
being guided by able youngsters to donate blood. The working period of the
movement starts in April every year. For the whole year, the movement conducts
many exciting programmes. It included distribution of membership, educational
aid, visiting houses, Onam celebration, exciting camps, counseling classes,
padayathra, X'mas celebration and so on. Because of excellent work done by
movement, it has attracted the people's attention. The programmes of the past
years also include seminars, medical camps, alcohol awareness classes and
rallies. For encouraging talents, the movement organized a X'mas programme
named 'Shishiraravil' in 1996 and it continues every year. The movement's work
also includes excursion, cleaning the surroundings of parish and improving the
road for transportation. There is also a library for the use of members. The
movement used to give awards for outstanding students. During the weeks of
fasting the parish members are encouraged to attend confession to receive
communion and to attend the evening prayer in the church. The members of the
movement also make it a point to make house visits especially those grieving
the loss of a loved one. The unit also published a manuscript named 'Christos'
With parish Vicar as the president, a 11 membered
ruling council is conducting the programmes of the movement. Along with the
leadership of the president, vice president, Secretary, joint secretary and the
treasurer handle financial matters. Apart from this, there is a four membered
committee in the ruling council. There is a librarian for the library. For the
arrangement of sports activities there is a sports secretary. The movement
takes important decision during the meetings on Saturdays. The committee
analysis decisive matters and presents them before the meeting. During
emergency conditions committee members take the decisions and the general
meeting approves this decision. All the records of the movement pertaining to
accounts, reports, attendance of members etc. are collected and kept safely.
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