"Children
too have an Apostolate of their own"
Development of a rich inner life is a prerequisite for
spirituality. It is our primary duty to help our children value their spirituality,
understand their cultural origin, build their curiosity, and develop their
aesthetic sensitivity and interpersonal compassion along with nurturing
their
organizational, educational and extracurricular talents.
As
per the Second Vatican Council on Laity, "Children also have their own
apostolic work to do. According to their ability they are true living
witnesses of Christ among their companions. The training for the apostolate
should start with the children's earliest education. In the family parents
have the task of training their children from childhood on to recognize God's
love for all men. They should teach them little by little to be concerned for
the material and spiritual needs of their neighbor. Likewise, lay groups and
associations dedicated to the apostolate, should carefully and assiduously
promote formation for the apostolate in keeping with their purpose and
condition."
SMCA founder fathers had this vision when they formed
Baladeepthi for the children of Syro Malabar community. Since then the Baladeepthi
has evolved as a vital wing of Syro Malabar Cultural association with a definite
structure and well defined by-law. Children of all active SMCA members are
members of Baladeepthi as well.
Day-to-day affairs of Baladeepthi are managed by the Baladeepthi
Central Committee headed by the Baladeepthi President and the four (4)
Baladeepthi Area Committees. The Baladeepthi Committees are elected annually from
among the Baladeepthi members. The Baladeepthi Chief Coordinator from the SMCA
Central Managing Committee and the four Baladeepthi Area Coordinator from the
Area Managing Committees provide necessary guidance & support to the
Baladeepthi committees.
Programmes
for the betterment and development of the children's personal, social and
cultural talents are drawn and implemented every year. Various activities
include seminars and competitions. Personality development, catechetical
training and talent search are the main objectives of most of the activities.
Children are encouraged to avail the opportunities and come out of the
shelter to exhibit their talents and to develop. SMCA arrange to perform the
young talents on stage to get rid of their shyness and make them courageous
to face any audience. In line with these programmes
annual quiz competitions, skit competitions etc. are conducted with great
enthusiasm. It is a matter of pride that children do the role of quiz master,
script writer & director and prove their amazing capabilities.
Apart from these cultural activities
the children are oriented towards their origin and traditions and religious
back ground of Syro Malabar Community to the apostolic beginning and
traditions, with a proper orientation to their ecclesial call to live as a
good Syro Malabar Catholic.
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