The first meeting of the Youth Centre Directors for the scholastic year 2025-26 at Don Bosco, Vaduthala

Date: June 19, 2025

Time: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Venue: Don Bosco, Vaduthala

Introduction and Attendance

The first meeting of the Youth Centre Directors for the scholastic year 2025-26 was convened on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Don Bosco, Vaduthala. The meeting was graced by the presence of Fr. Varghese Kaplikkunnel SDB, the Youth Pastoral Delegate of the Province, who also served as the animator for the session.

A total of twenty (20) Youth Centre Directors were present for the meeting. Four (4) directors were unable to attend due to unforeseen inconveniences. Four state youth executive members were present for the session in the afternoon.

Inauguration and Orientation

The meeting commenced at 10:30 AM with an inaugural address by Fr. Shibu Davis SDB, the Rector of Don Bosco, Vaduthala. Following the inauguration, Fr. Varghese Kaplikkunnel SDB delivered the orientation talk. His address focused on the Strenna 2025, emphasizing the imperative for every Salesian to embody a “ray of hope” for the youth under their care. He highlighted the critical importance of accompanying young individuals in their pilgrimage of faith and reiterated the necessity for all directors to prioritize the youth in their daily lives and ministries.

Review of Past Service and Identification of Challenges

Youth Centre Directors presented a review of their services and activities over the past year. Fr. Varghese Kaplikkunnel SDB commended the directors for their selfless dedication and highlighted several dynamic activities observed across various youth centres.

During this session, common challenges faced by the youth centres were identified and brought to the attention of the group. These challenges include:

1. Problematic presence of youth from some special groups.
2. Lack of adequate financial assistance.
3. Migration of youth abroad.
4. Lack of interest in participating in activities other than games.
5. Prevalence of phone addiction among youth.
6. Misunderstanding and lack of communication between Salesians and local youth.
7. Insufficient physical space for youth gatherings.
8. Geographical constraints and challenges posed by heavy rains.
9. Institutional constraints, specifically at CCI-DB Palluruthy.
10. Inconsistency in youth attendance at the centres.

Zonal Structure and Updates

The zonal structure of the youth centres was re-briefed to the participants. The Kerala region has expanded with the inclusion of two new communities: Don Bosco Manjeswar, now part of the Malabar Zone, and Don Bosco Attuvassery, integrated into the Travancore Zone.

The five established zones and their respective youth centres are as follows:

• Malabar Region: DB Manjeswar, DB Chullikara, DB Angadikkadavu, DB Sultan Bathery, DB Padivyal, and DB Mampatta.
• Thrissur Region: DB Palakkadu, DB Bhavan Mannuthy, DB College Mannuthy, DB Irinjalakkuda, and DB Angamaly.
• Ernakulam Region: DB Aluva, DB Vennala, DB Vaduthala, and DB Palluruthy.
• Kottayam Region: DB S. Puram, DB Puthupally, DB Alappuzha, and DB Kattappana.
• Travancore Region: DB Thope (Parish), DB Boy’s Home Mundackal, DB Kottiyam, DB Manvilla, DB Attuvassery, and DB Manacud.

Zonal Planning and Leadership Elections

An annual planning session at the zonal level was conducted in the afternoon. The following directors were elected as zonal in-charges:

• Malabar Zone: Fr. Peedikayil Manu SDB
• Thrissur Zone: Fr. Rubin Kunnakkattu K SDB
• Ernakulam Zone: Fr. Johnson Ponthempally SDB
• Kottayam Zone: Fr. Josh Kanjooparambil SDB
• Travancore Zone: Fr. Panikarukunnel Antony SDB

Decisions were made to integrate various youth sectors within the local communities under the SYM banner. Provincial, regional, zonal, and local community-level programmes were formulated. The members unanimously requested the Provincial Delegate to secure approval at the provincial level, thereby establishing youth animation as a primary mission for the communities. Fr. Varghese Kaplikkunnel SDB acknowledged the need for the practical implementation of the outlined programmes and assured the group of his commitment to securing the necessary support at the provincial level.

Suggestions from Directors

Several suggestions were put forth by the directors for consideration:

• Clarification regarding the eligible age for youth and the inclusion of married youth for registration at youth centres.
• Proposal to organize Sports Day and Arts Day separately, rather than combining them into a single cultural festival.
• Development of a standardized by-law for youth centres and a common membership form.
• Concerns raised about participation in the Leaders and Animators Formation (LAF) Programme due to some leaders’ limited understanding of English.
• Request to conduct the PALS (Programme for Animators, Leaders, and Salesians), a province-level programme, within the region.
• Emphasis on updating the website, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms.
• Recommendation to appoint local media in-charges from among the members to coordinate with the state-level media representative, thereby enhancing visibility for services and activities.
• Request to inform local youth directors before activity reports are uploaded to social media.
• Suggestion to focus development efforts over the next few years on youth centres with underdeveloped infrastructure.

Conclusion

Following extensive discussions and the expression of concerns from the youth centres, the meeting concluded. Fr. Varghese Kaplikkunnel SDB and Fr. Muttathuparambil John addressed the directors, encouraging them to continue their dedicated service to the youth more effectively. Fr. Austin SDB, youth director of Don Bosco Bhavan, Mannuthy proposed the vote of thanks. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.