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Southern Regional Leadership Conference March 17-19
The Southern Region is planning a youth leadership conference at
Lakeview Retreat Center in Waxahachie, Texas. This will be a model for a
Archdiocesan wide youth leadership meeting. Many topics, from
spiritual focus to church organization will be considered. MGSOSA
leaders are expected to attend. Registration deadline is
February 12, 2006.
More Info &
Registration Form
Contacts in the Denver Parish made
Welcome to Jacobites from our Denver parish.
It's a pleasure to get to know you and introduce you to the rest of
the region.
Officers elected for St. George's Youth
Association for 2006
Jovin Jose, 2006 Youth President
Ritchie Varghese, 2006
Youth Vice-President
Officers elected for St. Mary's Syriac
Orthodox Youth Association, Houston
Siji Chacko - Vice President
Robby Korah - Secretary
Alvin Thomas - Treasurer
Marilyn Babu & John Mathew, Co-Historians
Joby Chandipillai - Committee Member
George Mathew - Committee Member
MGSOSA
Southern Region Fall 2005 Youth Conference November 19-20th 2005
On Saturday, November 19, 2005 St. Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church
of Dallas hosted the Southern Regional MGSOSA fall conference. The
theme of the conference was “Faith: the source of our strength”
(Isaiah 40:30-31 - Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men
stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their
strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not
grow weary, they will walk and not be faint). The conference was
welcome to St. Mary's Houston, St. Peter's Houston, St. George’s
Oklahoma, St. Mary's Dallas, St. Ignatious and all other local
parishes.
The keynote speaker for the event was Dn. Joel Jacob (MGSOSA
Secretary) from New York. The praise and worship team was lead by
Joel Joseph from Atlanta, Georgia. The choir consisted of members
from St. George’s, St. Mary’s (Dallas) and St. Ignatious Church.
There was a total of eighty-five youth members who attended this
conference. Registration started at 11:00am on Saturday November
19th followed with opening prayer led by Fr. Shinoj Joseph. Mr. Binu
Aramath, the regional coordinator, opened the program with a welcome
speech. Dn. Martin Babu served as master of ceremonies. Shortly
following the songs of praise was a social icebreaker game
consisting of t.v families. Afterwards, Ms. Irine Thomas was
unanimously elected as the junior regional coordinator for the
southern region.
After lunch and the second session of praise and worship, Dn. Joel
introduced the first half of the keynote address. Dn. Joel’s speech
which consisted of algebraic formulas for faith, proved to be highly
interactive and lead to fun and open discussions amongst the youth.
In hopes of exploring faith even further, St. Ignatius youth created
unique blindfold obstacle courses and taste test games to
demonstrate the day’s theme.
The second half of Dn. Joel’s keynote address included short
meditation periods where the entire congregation in unison bowed on
their knees and prayed silently.
The basketball tournament was an enjoyable experience for all those
who watched and for all those who played. This time’s trophy was
awarded to St. Mary’s Church Houston. Soon after the basketball
tournament, Rev. Fr. Joseph C. Joseph led the evening prayer. The
day’s events concluded with a tasty Indian buffet provided by St.
Ignatius church Dallas.
On Sunday morning, Holy Qurbana was conducted by Fr. Alias Aramath
and the Sunday sermon was given by Dn. Joel Jacob. Mr. Aramath gave
a vote of thanks at the service’s conclusion. Fr. Aramath presented
gifts from the conference to the keynote speaker and Dn. Joel
presented a rolling plaque to St. Ignatious Dallas, in appreciation
for hosting the conference.
We look forward to ever increasing participation in this region and
the opportunity to meet again in the spring to further strengthen
our faith.
Irine Thomas
Jr. Regional Coordinator
MGSOSA Southern Region
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