Kerala Salesian Youth Centre Directors Chart New Roadmap for Youth Ministry

Vaduthala, June 21: The annual meeting of the Youth Centre Directors of the Salesian Kerala Region was held at Pepper Island, Vaduthala, bringing together 20 Youth Centre Directors to review the past year’s activities, identify emerging challenges, and formulate a comprehensive action plan for strengthening youth ministry across the region.

The meeting began with an in-boat session from Marine Drive, Kochi, where Fr. John Muttathuparambil SDB, Regional Youth Director, welcomed the participants and facilitated a sharing session on the activities of individual youth centres. Directors reported encouraging progress, noting that many centres have become more vibrant and active through innovative programmes and increased youth participation.

The formal inaugural session was presided over by Fr. K.D. Varghese, Councillor for Parish Ministry, who represented Fr. K.O. Varghese, who was unable to attend due to official commitments. In his keynote orientation, Fr. K.D. Varghese highlighted the essential qualities of an effective Salesian Youth Director, emphasizing availability, Salesian presence, attentive listening, personal accompaniment, youth participation, responsibility, and empowerment. Drawing inspiration from the ministry of Fr. K.D. Joseph and the Salesian Constitutions, he encouraged the directors to deepen their commitment to young people.

During the planning session, Fr. John Muttathuparambil reviewed the previous year’s programmes and presented the regional action plan for 2026–27. The assembly approved several major initiatives, including democratic elections in all youth centres, Mini World Cup football tournaments, an Inter-Youth Centre Football Championship, annual spiritual programmes, leadership training, youth director formation, programmes for migrant youth, inter-provincial cultural exchanges, and a State Youth Meet during the summer vacation.

A major decision of the meeting was the administrative restructuring of the Malabar region into two zones to improve coordination and efficiency. The assembly also elected zonal coordinators for the newly organized six regional zones.

The directors engaged in a frank discussion on the challenges facing youth ministry today. Among the major concerns raised were youth migration abroad, declining participation in non-sporting activities, mobile phone addiction, inadequate financial support, limited infrastructure, communication gaps, and the growing pastoral needs of migrant youth.

To address these concerns, the meeting resolved to conduct a mid-term review meeting in November at Don Bosco Padivayal, organize a state-level football tournament, establish a dedicated Youth Fund in every institution, ensure greater continuity in the appointment of Youth Centre Directors, present the decisions of the meeting to the Regional Rectors, and formulate a common policy framework for all youth centres.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr. Martin Manickamparambil SDB, who called upon all Youth Centre Directors to work together in revitalizing youth centres across the region. The Regional Youth Director also expressed heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Santy Shankurickal and Mr. Stalin, owner of Pepper Island, for their generous hospitality and support in hosting the regional gathering.