The 29th Annual Conference of the MGOCSM and YM was held at Christian College of Enginnering & Technology (CCET), Bhilai under the patronage of St. Thomas Mission, Bhilai and Calcutta Diocese. It was hosted by CCET MGOCSM unit. The theme for the conference was “Love your #Selfie” and the theme bible verse was “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius, metropolitan of the Diocese of Calcutta was present throughout the conference. The main speakers for the conference were Rev. Fr. Philip Kuruvilla, Ex Bursar of the STOTS, Nagpur and Rev. Fr. Dr. Bijesh Philip, Principal of STOTS, Nagpur.  The conference began with the celebration of the Holy Qurbana celebrated by Rev. Fr. Philip Kuruvilla. The conference flag was hoisted before the inaugural session. The Diocesan Secretary, Very Rev. Thomas ramban, welcomed the guests as well as the delegates of MMS and MGOCS & YM in the inaugural session.  There were 5 main sessions based on the theme. Rev. Fr. Philip Kuruvilla dealt on the topics: i) Love your Selfie, ii) Love, iii) I can do everything through Christ and Rev. Fr. Dr. Bijesh Philip also dealt on the theme. Rev. Fr. Dr. Joshi Varghese dealt with topic ‘Christian response to Social Media’.

A panel discussion was organized where contemporary issues related to young people were discussed and deliberated. The host unit conducted various group activities. The Raipur MGOCSM unit led the conference with melodious songs. Various inter unit competitions were held: Group song competition, Documentary competition, Mime competition, Collage making competition and Bible quiz competition. H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius led one of the evening devotions and interacted with the delegates in another session. Rev. Fr. George Varghese, Rev. Fr. Kurian John and Rev. Fr. Lijo John led morning and evening devotions. The sacrament of Holy Confession was also arranged for those who came prepared for it. On the concluding day the business session was held in which the units read out their annual working report and handed overhe same to the diocesan metropolitan. Few of the delegates gave feedback about the conference. The prizes for the competitions were given away in the closing ceremony. The details of winners are as follows:-

Group Song Competition

First – MGOYM, Bhopal       Second – MGOCSM Bilaspur            Third – MGOCSM, Raipur

Mime Competition

First – MGOCSM, Kolar,       Second – MGOCSM, Bhilai               Third– MGOCSM, Nagpur

Documentary

First – MGOCSM, Raipur      Second – MGOCSM, Bhilai               Third– MGOCSM, Nagpur

Collage

First – MGOCSM, Nagpur     Second – MGOCSM, Bhilai               Third– MGOCSM, Jabalpur and MGOCSM, Raigarh

Quiz

First – MGOCSM, Bhilai       Second – MGOCSM, Bhopal             Third– MGOCSM, Nagpur

MGOCSM unit of Mar Gregorios Orthodox Cathedral, Bhilai bagged the overall championship trophy for the year 2019.

Very Rev. Geevarghese Ramban, Very Rev. Thomas ramban, Rev. Fr. Jose K Varghese, Rev. Fr. George C Varghese, Rev. Fr. Kurian John, Rev. Fr. Dr. Joshi Varghese Rev. Fr. Jeffin Varghese, Rev. Fr. Aju K Varghese, , Rev. Fr. Jobin Abraham, Rev. Fr. Biju Daniel, Rev. Fr. Anish Joseph, Rev. Fr. Lijo John and Rev. Fr. Shinu Cherian were present during the conference. 200 delegates from 13 parishes of the diocese attended the conference.

In the closing ceremony Rev. Fr. Jobby Peter, Vice President of MGOCS & YM, proposed the vote of thanks. President Thirumeni lowered the conference flag and Catholica Mangalaganam was sung.

Key note address by H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan

A four- day long International Eco- Conference was inaugurated by Most Rev. P. C. Singh, the President of the National Council of Churches in India and the Moderator of the Church of North India at the CSI Synod Centre in Chennai. The Conference has been organized by the consortium of Higher Educational Institutions of the Church of South India (CSI). “In the year 2025, the level of Co2 in the Atmosphere will increase to 500 ppm (part(s) per million) due to various anthropological activities, but the allowable range is only 50ppm!”, cautioned Prof. Dr Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan; the Vice-Chairperson of the Ecological Commission of the Orthodox Church, during the inauguration session. Rt Rev. Dr Vadappally Prasada Rao, the Deputy Moderator of the Church of South India, presided over the meeting. Rev. Dr Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda, the General Secretary of the Church of South India, welcomed the dignitaries and delegates who are consisted of the Scientists, Research scholars, and Eco activists from across the globe.

Two days workshop for Pre- Primary teachers was organised by MGM Group of Schools at CCET ( Christian College of Engineering and Technology) Bhilai. About 100 teachers from 18 schools attended the workshop led by Mrs. T. Raja Rajeswari , an eminent educationist and mentor. The sessions aimed at empowering the teachers with various education modules and strategies for effectively moulding the Pre Primary kids. The interactive sessions empowered the teachers to identify multiple intelligence, behavioural problems, learning readiness,interests and skills of the kids.
The participants who were from from MGM sr. Sec. School Bhilai, Mar Baselios Vidhya Bhavan Bhilai, MGM Public School Bhilai, MGM School Rajnandgaon, MGM HSS Raipur, MGM HSS Bilaspur, MGM HSS Korba, MGM School Kamilini, MGM HSS Jagdalpur, MGM School Ashoka Garden Bhopal, MGM HSS Bhopal, MGM HSS Itarsi, MGM HSS Dawakalan, MGM HSS Sarni, MGM HSS Dhanpuri MGM English School Rourkela, MGM School Chend and St. Mary’s Ranchi expressed much appreciation for the enriching sessions. 

Fr. Jose K Varghese, Fr. Kurian John, Fr. M.J. Mathew, Fr. Joshi Varghese and Fr. Aju K Varghese gave leadership for the programme.

 

His Grace Dr.Joseph Mar Dionysius, the Archbishop of Calcutta diocese under the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church will be visiting Nagaland from 10^th March to 13^th.The Diocese of Calcutta is spread over ten states from Nagpur (Maharastra) to Nagaland. Under his able leadership there are more than 22 Higher Secondary schools, an engineering college, Christian College of Engineering and Technology(CCET, Bhilai) , ST. Thomas College (which offers graduation to Ph.D), St.Thomas B.Ed college and more than a dozen mission projects for the upliftment of the down trodden.

FR.P.S.VARGHESE RECEIVING BISHOP H.G.DR.JOSEPH MAR DIONYSIUS AT DIMAPUR AIRPORT

In a press release by Fr.P.S.Varghese, Vicar and Principal of MGM Hr.Sec.School, informed that on 11^th morning 10.30, St.Thomas mission society Governing Body meeting at MGM College followed by inauguration of Mar Theodosius memorial auditorium at MGM Hr Sec School. Evening at 4.30 Consecration of newly built shrine in front of MGOS Church.  On 12^th morning 7.30 Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion and consecration of renovated Shrine at Midland junction at 11.30.

Arch Bishop Mar Dionysius consecrated renovated cross tower at Midland junction on 12th Sunday. MGOS Church Midland originally constructed and dedicated the cross tower in1988, by Bishop Mar Coorilos. Renovation work started in August 2016 and completed by January 2017.During Bishop visit on today it was consecrated and dedicated for the people.