Texas January 20 2006:
The Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement of the
American Diocese held the first Council meeting for the new year
on Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14, 2006 at St.
Gregorios Orthodox Church, Garland, Texas. The Diocesan
Metropolitan and MGOCSM President, Mathews Mar Barnabas presided
at the weekend meeting.
Future leadership camp dates and locations, visit by His
Holiness Didymos I, and the Mission Trip 2006, the budget and
expense report, area reports, reports by the Vice Presidents,
the Dallas Leadership Camp presentation and National MGOCSM Day.
It was reported that the National MGOCSM Service Day was held on
October 22, 2005 throughout the Diocese was on the agenda.
Session I of the Council meeting took place on Friday.On Friday,
January 13, His Grace the Metropolitan was given a warm
reception with lighted candles and religious umbrellas at St.
Gregorios Church. Evening prayers began at 7:00 PM followed by
the lightning of the lamp to inaugurate the Council weekend.
On Saturday, January 14, His Grace led the morning prayers
followed by Session II of the Council Meeting. The different
MGOCSM units worked together to create "help kits" for the
victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. Also, several areas
worked with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for the
victims and donated blood through the American Red Cross.
Both meetings were
attended by Fr. John Kunnathusseril, Fr. Thampan Varghese, Fr.
Raju Daniel (Vicar of the hosting parish), Fr. C.G. Thomas, and
Fr. Rege Mathew, the Dallas area Vicars.
The 2006 Leadership camp will be held at the Texas Christian
University in Dallas, Texas from July 27-30, 2006 under the
leadership of and the expected visit of His Holiness Baselios
Mar Thoma Didymos I, His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, His Grace
Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, His Grace Bishop Yussef, Dr. Peter
Gilquist, Dr. Clark Clarkson
Over 150 MGOCSM delegates are expected for this years camp.
Ashok Kunnathusseril is the Dallas/Oklahoma area Council Member
and Siji John and Anita Chacko are the Camp Conveners.
Fr. Mathew Koshy (Vice President of the Southeastern Region)
,Fr. Mammen Mathew (Vice President of the Southern Region) and
13 Council members representing the Northeast, Central, Southern
Regions of the Diocese were also present.
MGOCSM General Secretary, Dn. Paul Cherian welcomed the
gathering.
( Indian Orthodox Herald News Release,
November 23, 2005 )
