5th MCYM National Conference

Malankara Catholic Youth Movement (MCYM) held its fifth national conference at Iona College, New Rochelle from August 8th through 11th, 2013. This was the first MCYM National gathering after the elevation of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in the United States as an Exarchate.

The conference started on the evening of August 8th with registration, a campus tour, and evening prayer, followed by praise and worship, in which four of the youth members shared their personal testimony about their life as a Syro-Malankara Catholic youth in the United States. The conference opened on the second day with morning prayer and opening meeting, in which Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Mar Paulose, Bishop of Marthandom and Chairman of the Synodal Commission for the Youth Apostolate inaugurated the conference. In his message to the youth, he applauded the vibrancy and the positive qualities of the youth of the Exarchate and the strong potential of the Exarchate due to the presence of such active young members.

The classes at the conference were given on the topics of "The Centrality of God" by Rev. Fr. Dominic Tran, "The Centrality of the Church" by Rev. Fr. Jeff Pomeisl, and "How to be Great in a world that tells you to be good" by Mr. Andrew Prickel. Mr. Binu Abraham and Dr. Jocelyn Edathil talked on the topics of "The Malankara Liturgy and Theology of the Body" and "Mar Ivanios - The Model Malankarite" respectively while Bro. Jerry Mathew talked about "The life of Christ in the Malankara Holy Qurbono." Furthermore, a session was also allotted to the promotion of vocations to priesthood and religious life, led by Rev. Fr. Saji Mukkoot. In this session, Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius explained the various vocations in the Church and encouraged the youth to discern their vocation without fear. Personal vocation stories were shared by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Peter Kochery, Rev. Fr. Michael Edathil, Dr. Jocelyn Edathil, and Bro. Jerry Mathew.

The creative and athletic talents possessed by the youth of the Exarchate were displayed in the cultural program and inter-parish Basketball tournament. A concert by "New Name Band" further livened the National MCYM Conference experience. Holy Mass was celebrated daily and the Most Holy Eucharist was exposed and adored on Saturday, while the opportunity to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation was also offered on that day.

On Sunday morning, a Panel discussion moderated by Mrs. Sherly Abraham was held, where various questions of the youth were answered by Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Eusebius, Rev. Fr. Michael Edathil, and Ms. Jilu Jacob. In the closing meeting, Bishop Thomas Mar Eusebius explained the various positive traits of the youth which manifests hope for the exarchate and the challenges faced by the youth in living the life as a Syro-Malankara Catholic.

For the first time in the history of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in North America, over 200 youth participated in the MCYM national conference, showing the vitality and potential of the Exarchate. Special congratulations and gratitude to Rev. Fr. Sunny Mathew, the Director of MCYM-NA, the MCYM-NA National Board with Mr. Joel George, the President, Rev. Priests, Sisters, animators, and youth who worked diligently and tirelessly to make this conference a huge success.