Bangladesh Catholic Students' Movement, Chittagong

The students of Bangladesh Catholic Students’ Movement (BCSM), Chittagong Unit arranged an advent retreat program for the youths to take the preparation of the Christmas. The program also aimed at celebrating the Christmas spirit. The program was held on 18^th Dec 2016  in the Mariam Ashram, Diang Parish with the participation of 11 youths of Cathedral and Diang.

The retreat started with meditative songs followed by a meditative session by Fr. Leonard C. Rebeiro, Parish Priest of Diang. Participants also got the chance to take the reconciliation sacrament before the holy mass offered by Fr. Terence Rodrigues, parish priest of the Cathedral.

After lunch in the evening participants enjoyed some games and the program came to an end with a distribution of Christmas gifts among the participants.    

According to the decision of the previous study session a cultural program was organized by BCSM Chittagong in aid with the parish with team to celebrate the feast of cathedral parish. There were some amusing performance in the program such as cultural dance, religious & modern music & songs performed by the youths & children of the parish.

The program started at 7.30 pm right after the Holly Mass and continued till 8.30 pm. Many people enjoyed the performances with much interest. 

In this globalized world foreign cultures are intruding the domestic culture far more easily especially in the third world countries like Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a developing country with a rich cultural and historical heritage. The history of this country is very inspiring and enthusiastic and also she has a very rich language which is called the sweetest language in the world. But unfortunately within the past decade foreign cultures like European or American cultures intruded into our culture. Young generation are losing interest in the domestic culture and becoming fond of the foreign culture which is considered a part of being modern nowadays.

On August 07^th 2015 12 youths of BCSM Chittagong gathered in a study session and had some valuable discussion on the topic: ‘Young Generation to Save the Domestic Culture’ where we found out that we can not stop the process of globalization but we can save our culture through creative performances. We can aware people about our culture through its practices. In conclusion of the discussion it was decided to arrange a cultural program on a specific topic with creativity which will be demonstration for the people of the parish to make them aware of our culture. 

‘Bangladesh is a developing country with lots of possibilities. But here in Bangladesh unemployment problem is very severe where More than 500 applicants have to compete for a job in some occasions. That’s why we need to find some source of income from abroad.’ Resource person Mr. Rockybul Hasan was expressing the importance of outsourcing job during his session in the ‘Outsourcing Workshop’ organized by BCSM on 29^th May 2015 in Cathedral Parish Hall Room. 35 participants came to know, how to get involved in outsourcing job and become self-sufficient. The participants were given practical lessons on outsourcing through internet and laptop.

There were much more in the workshop beside the practical lessons on outsourcing. BCSM ‘Youth Music Ministry’ started their journey through performing some worship songs in the workshop. One of the former coordinator of BCSM Chittagong Ms. Cynthia D’Costa who recently got married was honored by the present members through a crest.

There were also some games to refresh the minds of the participants. The daylong ceremony came to an end at 5.00 pm with a Mass offered by Fr. Lintu Absalom Roy.

Monthly youth prayer gathering is one of the constant activities of BCSM Chittagong. Though it was supposed to be organized every last Friday of a month we couldn’t continue due to lack of participants. So based on the current Lenten season BCSM, Chittagong organized a youth prayer gathering on 27^th February in Cathedral Church of Chittagong. 15 members of BCSM Chittagong and few Catholics participated in the prayer.

As well as previous years BCSM Chittagong combined with CSO went to 'Provat Ferri' on the early morning of 21st February. It may not be a big deal to walk a couple of mile and render a flower to the martyrs as a token of love and respect to them but this little things keep our Glorious History alive, inspire us to love Bangla language, to feel what a proud nation we are!

 22 members of BCSM and CSO Chittagong were present in the Cathedral Church within 6.30 am and the possession to the Shahid Minar Began at 6.40. There was a slight arrangement of breakfast for the participants in a well known restaurant of Chittagong named ‘Hotel Bridge’.