It was by chance that Lam, Andrew and Ethel met me. It was a Sunday, and we had just finished the monthly check-up of the Rickets Eradication Ministry on the 9th of May. They said they are from the Seng Samla, Laitumkhrah, and expressed that they would like to be helped because they wanted their association to be united in a deeper way and be effective thereby. Rev. Fr. Jose Varickasseril, sdb, the Rector of Sacred Heart Theological College, was kind enough to grant the permission. Later in that week itself possible dates were seen and various details discussed. Fr. John Mathew, the Administrator, and Fr. James Poonthuruthil, the President of the Faculty, made available the various things needed for the programme.
The day fixed was 23rd May. Seventy youngsters turned up for the programme with full of life and expectation. This animation programme would not have been possible if it not were for the enthusiasm and sacrifice and hardwork of Brs. Suresh Innocent and Robin Lakra. The programme started one hour late because of the late arrival of the youngsters. But they sacrificed the scheduled coffee break and cut down the lunch break from one hour to just half an hour to do justice to the timetable prepared. The sessions were conducted in the Conference Hall (below the M.Th. Lecture Hall). All along the programme, Br. Thomas Salew, Srs. Rihun Sten and Rona Kharkongor kept the participants on their feet with their action songs and hymns and dances. In the afternoon, Rev. Fr. Richard Majaw, the Asst. Parish Priest of the Cathedral Parish, came to visit and encourage them.
The first session was taken by Sr. Celine D’Cunha, fma, the Superior of the Sacred Heart Convent. Her session was on career guidance. She insisted on the need to have dreams and visions, and working towards their realization. It was followed by a session on self-esteem animated by Br. Sujeet Peter. He made them realize that self-esteem, self-confidence and self-acceptance is essential towards achieving their goals. After this session was the lunch break. The youngsters had brought their lunch from home. Before the third session was a sing-song session by Srs. Rihun and Rona and Br. Salew. The third session was entitled ‘God, Prayer and Eucharist.’ It was animated by Br. Thomas Santiago. He along with giving practical tips with regard to prayer and Eucharist, elucidated that being spiritual is something that is not out of this world, but being in this world. At 3 pm we had the Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr. Varickasseril. He prayed for them in a special way and reflected on the mystery of Ascension during the homily. At the end of the Mass, he also asked the youngsters to apply for various courses like Nursing – both for females and males – and other Medical courses. During tea there were surprise gifts for the participants sponsored by the Seng Samla. The animation programme ended with the visit to the DBCIC Museum. Rev. Fr. Joseph Puthenpurackal, sdb, the Director of DBCIC gave an introductory speech on the relevance of the Centre and the Museum for today’s society and explained about the various aspects of the Centre.
The participants acknowledged the animators with gifts and speeches. They were very grateful to the house for arranging this animation programme within a short notice. Since the idea to have this kind of programme came from the youngsters themselves, they found it all the more useful, interesting and inspiring. The response was good from their part.
