Diocesan News

Aug 25 : The massive floods affected in southern coastal region of India, mainly in the parts of Karnataka and Kerala due to torrential rainfalls in the past few weeks. Understanding the need of the hour, Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), Central Council Mangalore Diocese in collaboration with Canara Organization for Development & Peace (CODP) initiated food relief provisions under the name "Mission KA-2019 (Mission Karnataka and Kerala)" from Sunday, 11th August 2019 to 22nd August 2019 under the guidance of Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Yuvaspoorthi Rev. Fr Ronald Prakash Dsouza – Director, Rev. Fr Ashwin Lohith Cardoza - Designate Director, Leon Loyd Saldanha Bendur – Diocesan Youth President, Veena Vas Shaktinagar – Diocesan Youth General Secretary – ICYM Mangalore Diocese along with the support of all the units and deaneries of the diocese.

Flood relief items such as rice, dal, sanitary pads, biscuits, drinking water, cooking oil, clothes, soaps, rain coats and various non-perishable items were donated by generous donors from various catholic parishes of the diocese and were segregated and dispatched according to the requirements of the people to the different areas in total of seven truckloads to Belgaum, Karwar, Calicut, Wayanad, Dharward and nearby localities of Belthangady and adjacent areas. It is estimated that items worth more than 75 lakhs were collected and distributed to various places through genuine sources. More than hundred ICYM youths volunteered selflessly towards this mission at ICYM Youth office, Olivet House, Jeppu. Meanwhile, ICYM Youth members also visited the affected areas and helped in relief work services.

It may be recalled that in the month of August 2018, ICYM Mangalore Diocese had successfully launched a similar humanitarian work under the name Mission K2K: Kudla to Kodagu & Kerala supplying relief materials to flood affected areas. ICYM Mangalore Diocese has hailed praises from various youth organizations and associations in and around the state for this work. Rev. Msgr. Maxim L. Noronha - Vicar General, Diocese of Mangalore had paid a visit to ICYM Mangalore Diocesan Office, Olivet House Jeppu and congratulated the youth for initiating Mission KA – 2019 and the efforts put up by the youth as a sign of humanity.

ICYM Central Council, Mangalore Diocese has placed a record, through the service of ICYM youths of the diocese through this mission within the short notice period and are thankful to all the donors, personnel, truck drivers and to all who worked day and night for helping the flood victims and making the "MISSION KA-2019" a successful one.