Leadership Retreat 2019 a success!

The MCYMNA Board conducted the Leadership Retreat in Houston, TX from July 25 to 28, 2019. Over 30 youth members participated in this national event. The theme of this retreat was “Faith and the Future” based on 2 Corinthians 4:18 “For what can be seen is temporary but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

Various speakers took classes for the youth. Fr. Rajeev Valiyaveettil, the second priest ordained for the Syro-Malabar Church from the United States conducted a class on "The definition of being a second generation Indian Catholic and the accompanying responsibilities." During his session, Fr. Rajeev talked about being a second-generation Malayalee in North America and our connections to the Eastern Rite churches.

Other speakers were Bishop Philipos Mar Stephanos ("Hopes and Expectations from the MCYM youth" , Fr. Jerry Mathew ("Leadership in Youth Ministry and in the Malankara Church"), Sr. Dr. Jocelyn and Mr. Binu Abraham (both expounded on "The importance of MCYM being leaders in the Church"), Mr. Binu Abraham ("The growth of MCYM in the past 20 years and the importance and role of MCYM in our lives"), Christopher Thomas ("Evangelization") and Fr. Michael Edathil (Vocation story).

The event was further blessed by the presence of His Excellency Philipos Mar Stephanos, our bishop, who accompanied the youth throughout the entire duration of the leadership retreat. Our bishop, the speakers, along with Fr. Christopher Mathew from the Indian Orthodox Church in Houston, also answered questions during a panel session regarding various topics such as theology, rules of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, as well as different curiosities of second generation youth in our community.

Holy Qurbono was celebrated each morning of the retreat, as well adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday and Saturday. Fr. John Puthenvilayil, the parish priest of the Houston parish, was a great asset and host for our youth as they were welcomed into the Houston Parish throughout this event. After the closing meeting, there was an overflow of great feedback and compliments regarding the fruitfulness and spiritual effectiveness of this event. The Eparchy thanks the MCYMNA Board members, along with the participants, for their hardwork and participation respectively in for making this event a notable and fruitful one for our youth leaders.