PALLOTINE YOUTH APOSTOLATE IN THE NAGPUR PROVINCE OF THE PALLOTTINE FATHERS & BROTHERS

The Fathers and brothers of the NAGPUR PROVINCE serves the people in 6 states of INDIA They are : Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,Kerala & Arunachal Pradesh

There are 15 Parishes and 7 Educational institutions under the care of the Province

The Youth Apostolate in the Province / Parishes was undertaken until recently under the aegis of the Diocesan Youth Groups or Programs

The active involvement of the Pallottine Fathers and their promotion of youth apostolate were well appreciated by most Bishops and a number of them were made Diocesan / Regional Youth Co-ordinators.

A Pallottine Youth Ministry however is of recent origin.

It started with the Establishment of the Engineering College at Nagpur where the Fathers directly came in contact with a large number of Young people who aspired to become part of the Information Technology Revolution.

The on campus residential facility for bout 450 or more of the total of 1600 students studying in the College necessitated special spiritual and psychological support and accompaniment.

That was the starting point of a truly Pallottine Youth Apostolate in the Province

Prayer Meetings, Bible study programs, Spiritual Talks on contemporary problems, Choir groups, Annual Retreats were all introduced in the campus and they were open to the students of other faiths as well.

Some one rightly termed it as a Tech Pallottine formation.

The Annual celebration of the Founder’ s day and the festivities associated with it were occasions to impart knowledge about St Vincent Pallotti, his charism and his invitation to impart God’ love in our world.

The formal establishment of a Pallottine Youth group in the Province came about in the year 2008 after the participation of the students of the Engineering college in the Pallottine Youth Encounter that took place in Melbourne, Australia prior to the World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008

The Pallottine Spirit and Fellowship that these young people experienced in Melbourne where they met young Pallottines from all Continents, motivated them to organize themselves under the banner of Pallottine Youth Forum India (PYFI)

What is “Pallottine Youth Forum”?

Pallottine Youth Forum is a section of the Union of Catholic Apostolate – an association of Clergy, Religious and Lay people of the Catholic Church - founded by St Vincent Pallotti in Rome in the middle of the 19 th century.

It consists of young people committed to the vision and philosophy of St Vincent Pallotti who envisioned a world where men and women of goodwill work together for the good of mankind after the model of Jesus Christ by proclaiming and living His values of love and service.

Students and Young people of various Pallottine institutions and parishes and those attracted by the charism and spirit of St.Vincent Pallotti and the Pallottines can become members of PYF.

It is open to young people of all faiths and creed, who have the motivation and inclination to offer selfless service to the welfare of the society and fellow human beings.

The origin of Pallottine Youth Forum is traced to recent past. It all began with the gathering at Rheinbach, Germany of youth who came from Pallottine parishes and Institutions of various countries for the World Youth Day in Cologne, in That experience of Pallottine Togetherness acted as a spark to the organization of the Pallottine Youth Forum worldwide.

The PYF motto chosen then by the group at Nagpur was Committed to a Legacy

Aims and Objectives of PYF

 To bring together young people who are motivated by their love of God to work for positive changes in the society for the welfare of mankind. -To induce Spiritual renewal of self and other young people around them. -To help Church in her mission of witnessing Jesus in the world.

-To conduct/organize spiritual and leadership enrichment programs for the Youth/children at parish, diocesan, regional and national level. - To empower its members for leadership by imparting training in various skills. -To promote unity in diversity by periodic interaction nationally and internationally.

-To share cultural and religious(liturgical) heritages, aiming to enhance knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures and traditions. -To conscientize the young of the challenges facing the church and the world and to help form strategies and methods to overcome them.

-To involve actively at the service of the sick, poor and marginalized of the society promoting programs of social action and community building. -To help educate the drop outs and less privileged children / youth of the society.

-To act as volunteer force in emergencies / disaster management. -To assist the civil society to build up an eco-friendly world. -To help realize God’s kingdom on earth. “That they may be one”.

Method of Operation The PYF members meet regularly to pray, to discuss and to plan out various activities as per its aims and objectives.

Finances Contributions and Funds raised by the members and benefactors.

PYF in Action at SVPCET

PYFI EMBLAM

INITIATIVES Cleanliness drive : Dust bins Assistance for Voter I-card Passports Driving Classes / License Computer Knowledge Enhancement Programs Organizing Entertainment Evenings Films, Dramas, Debates

Services Lost & Found Cell Sim – card recharging Placement / Job, Ent. Exam information Cell Assistance for Rail concessions Junior Empowerment Programs Spoken English classes,Reading Practices

-Food Stalls to raise funds for the AIDS/HIV affected of Zambia, building Houses for the Poor -Organization of Regional/National Pallottine Youth Conventions

Social Action -Medical assistance for the child of a college staff, for the operation of an orphan girl child at Jeevodaya, Abhanpur -Blood Donation -Ksrama dan at Ashok Van -Visit to Rehabilitation Center Orphanges, Old age Homes

Environmental Engineering Programs -Tree Plantation - Conscientization’ of Energy Conservation Techniques

Skill Development and Leadership Programs (SDLP)

1. In Communication Skills -Etiquette & Manners -Effective Reading skills, -Pronunciation - Group Discussion (Theory & Practice) - Paper Presentation techniques

2. On Leadership training -Classes on Organizational Skills -Debates and Seminars on Moral and ethical issues, etc.

This is what they have to say….. ppt

After PYF was formed in January 2009, its members organized a National level Pallottine Youth meeting at Nagpur in the month of December, 2009 in order to reach out to the youth of various Pallottine Parishes and Institutions of the Province.

Young representatives from 7 Parishes took part in this National meeting that was conducted in English and Hindi

The Highlights of the Meeting were: - Input sessions on the Life & Works of St Vincent Pallotti. - Leadership Training - Group Dynamics - Cultural Programs - Days with Families

A warm welcome was accorded to Vice- general Fr Zenon Hanas and General Councillor Fr. Orsolini who addressed the PYF members and released the its First News Letter.

The Young People who took part in the National Meet went back to their respective Parishes and invited their friends to join them. They remain active in most parishes and have actively participated in the National Conventions held in May2011 in Indore in North India and at Trivandrum in Kerala, S.India.

New initiatives are being introduced in the Province by appointing Local Community Youth Co-ordinators for greater promotion and effective animation. Next national convention is planned in association with the celebration of the cannonization Jubilee of St Vincent Pallotti in 2013.

I conclude with a short presentation of the Two Conventions that we had in May, 2011