Mangaluru: The Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), Diocese of Mangalore, successfully hosted an Office Bearers training program titled PYSTAR 2026 on Sunday, June 14, 2025, at Lourdes Central School, Bejai.
Inaugural Ceremony
The day commenced with a heartfelt prayer service led by Robin Royston Rodrigues, Amcho Yuvak Representative of ICYM Mangalore Diocese and team. Prinson Dsouza, Council member of ICYM Mangalore Diocese, extended a warm welcome to the gathering. The program was then digitally inaugurated with the highlight established in the following posts, President, Youcat, Secretary, Treasurer, Amcho Yuvak/PRO & Red Drop.
Fr. Alwyn Richard Dsouza, Director of the Family Life Centre, was felicitated on the occasion. As the Chief Guest, he delivered an insightful address highlighting the importance of family life for youth. He also spoke about the challenges that may arise in interfaith marriages and emphasized the value of shared religious and cultural backgrounds in fostering harmony within families.
The stage program concluded with a vote of thanks by Sonali Noronha, Council Member of ICYM Mangalore Diocese. The inaugural session was compered by Neha Dsouza, Council Member.
Distinguished guests included
Fr Alwyn Richard Dsouza, director of Family Life Centre; Fr. Ashwin Lohith Cardoza, Secretary of Youth Commision Karnataka Region; Fr. Praveen D’Souza, the Director of ICYM Mangalore Diocese, Vijoy Ashwin Cardoza, ICYM Mangalore Diocese President, Ms Maria Dsilva ICYM Mangalore Diocese Secretary. The resources for the day, Fr Stany Pinto, Parish Priest of Mukka; Rev Fr Flavian Lobo, Professor at St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu; Winston Joel Sequiera, Coordinator of Youth Commision Mangalore Diocese; Anil Dsouza, Treasurer of Mangalore Diocese, Vishma Dcunha, ICYM Mangalore Diocese secretary for the year 2022-23, Suzannha Ferrao ICYM Mangalore Diocese PRO 2025-26, Royston Robin Rodrigues, ICYM Mangalore Diocese Amcho Yuvak 2025-26, Pradeep, Red Drop coordinator of ICYM Mangalore Diocese 2021-22 and Jia Menezes, Jesus Youth Member.
Leadership Training Sessions
Leadership training sessions were conducted by esteemed resource persons for various office bearers:
Presidents: Fr. Stany Pinto, Parish Priest of Mukka and Mr Winston Joel Sequiera, Coordinator of Youth Commision Mangalore Diocese
Treasurers: Anil Rupesh D’Souza, Cascia
Secretaries: Vishma Dcunha ICYM Mangalore Diocese secretary 2022-24
PROs and Amcho Yuvak: Suzannha Ferrao, PRO ICYM Mangalore Diocese 2025-26, Maria Dsilva Secretary of ICYM Mangalore Diocese 2025-26, Robin Royston Rodrigues Amcho Yuvak Representative of ICYM Mangalore Diocese 2025-26
YouCat Session: Fr. Flavian Lobo, Professor at St Joseph Seminary Jeppu & Jia Menezes, Jesus Youth Member.
Red Drop Representatives: Pradeep, ICYM Mangalore Diocese Red drop coordinator for the year 2021-22 and Vijoy Ashwin Cardoza, President of ICYM Mangalore Diocese.
A solemn Holy Eucharistic celebration was held with Fr. Ashwin Lohith Cardoza, Secretary of Youth Commision Karnataka Region, as the main celebrant, concelebrated Fr. Praveen D’Souza, the Director of ICYM Mangalore Diocese, Fr Stany Pinto, Parish Priest of Mukka.
Valedictory Ceremony
The valedictory ceremony commenced with a warm welcome address by Vijoy Ashwin Cardoza, President of ICYM Mangalore Diocese. The valedictory ceremony began with lighting of the Lamp. On this occasion, John Errol Samuel, entrepreneur, was felicitated in recognition of his contributions. Addressing the gathering, the honouree reflected on the opportunities available to today’s youth, noting that such avenues were limited in earlier times. He encouraged the participants to make the best use of these opportunities while nurturing a strong and meaningful relationship with God.
The latest edition of Amcho Yuvak magazine and the New Logo of Amcho Yuvak was formally launched by the dignitaries on the dais during the occasion. The launch was coordinated by Royston Robin Rodrigues, Amcho Yuvak Representative of ICYM Mangalore Diocese. Addressing the gathering, he expressed his gratitude to the entire editorial board and committee members for their dedicated efforts and commitment in bringing the magazine to fruition. He explained the newly launched logo and expressed his gratitude to the committee members.
The Yuva Seva Trust website was officially launched during the event by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese. The website serves as a platform for various youth-oriented initiatives, including hair donation, blood donation, and environmental awareness programs. Designed to engage and benefit young people from all communities, the initiative aims to inspire greater social responsibility and community involvement among the youth. Vijoy Ashwin Cardoza, President of ICYM Mangalore Diocese, was felicitated in recognition of his efforts in the successful launch of the Yuva Seva Trust website.
Addressing the gathering during the ceremony, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, highlighted the significant role and identity of ICYM in the life and activities of the Church. He emphasized the importance of prayer as an essential aspect of Christian life. Encouraging the youth, he spoke about fostering a sense of belonging to the Church and urged them to actively involve and inspire more young people to participate in Church activities and associations.
All the PYSTAR attendees were awarded with the Certificate of Participation.
Award Ceremony
The Gonsalo Garcia Award for units and the Carlo Acutis Award for deaneries were presented during the programme. The award ceremony was conducted by Fr. Ashwin Lohith Cardoza.
The awards recognised the efforts of the units and deaneries throughout the year. The results were announced as follows:
Carlo Acutis Award – Deaneries
First Place: Kasaragod Deanery (1100 points)
Second Place: Pezar Deanery (1080 points)
Third Place: Belthangady Deanery (890 points)
Fourth Place: Bantwal Deanery (850 points)
Fifth Place: Moodbidri Deanery (680 points)
Gonsalo Garcia Award – Units
First Place: Gurpur (1600 points)
Second Place: Kulur (1500 points), Ranipura (1500 points), Nirkan (1500 points)
Third Place: Madanthyar (1450 points)
Fourth Place: Vorkady (1350 points), Sampige (1350 points)
Fifth Place: Bejai (1150 points), Miyapadav (1150 points)
Sixth Place: Paldane (1050 points)
Seventh Place: Omzoor (1000 points)
Distinguished guests included Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldhana Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Errol Samuel, Entrepreneur; Fr. Ashwin Lohith Cardoza, Secretary of Youth Commision Karnataka Region; Fr. Praveen D’Souza, the Director of ICYM Mangalore Diocese, Fr Stany Pinto, Parish Priest of Bejai; Fr. Johnson Sequiera, Principal of Lourdes Central School Bejai; Vijoy Ashwin Cardoza, ICYM Mangalore Diocese President, Maria Dsilva ICYM Mangalore Diocese Secretary, and the Diocesan Executive committee members.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Maria D’Silva, Secretary of ICYM Mangalore Diocese. The valedictory ceremony was compered by Rishal D’Souza, Council Member of ICYM Mangalore Diocese.