Christ the King Knanaya Catholic Church of New Jersey is blessed to have to have a very active and thriving youth ministry. The youth ministry is very active in participating in Sunday masses, church perunals and all of our church activities. Whether it is teaching the younger children CCD, dance and song or helping to decorate the church, we can always depend on our youth ministry. As we celebrate our fifth year as a parish, it’s important to look at how far we have grown since the start of our church and remember some highlights over the years.
The first ever youth ministry directors of our parish were Jimmy Poozhikunnel and Shila Lavi Kaipuram led by President Bony Kattuveetil and Vice President Ninchu Valiyakallunkal with the mentorship of Father Reny Kattel from 2018 - 2020. The Youth Ministry was inaugurated on December 9, 2018. They held the first ever forane youth picnic at our church; arranging fun games, food and a great opportunity for youth from each of the different parishes to get together for the first time. They made our church very proud by choreographing a unique multicultural art showcase which implied that all ethnicities and cultures are one, and made by the one and only creator. Our first church perunal was a huge success due to the great participation of the youth where they conducted stalls managing games, selling food, drinks and various items.
The next board was led by directors Rinu Varikyamanthottil and Meryl Kallickal; and President Albert Nellikyakuzhil and Vice President Neethu Valiyakallumkal with the mentorship of Father Bins Chethalil during 2020- 2022. During this time period; there was many activities and new programs conducted. One of the main highlights was that there was a choir team of youth formed to lead the English Qurbana. They lead the English mass every Sunday as well as during the youth days of perunal. The youth ran successful thattukadas at every perunal that was enjoyable for all the parishioners. This board also conducted the first ever Valentine’s dinner for our parish couples. It was a memorable night where our church basement was transformed into a romantic oasis while the youth ministry served food and entertained our couples with a sit down candle light dinner.
Currently, the youth ministry board directors are Sujith Malayil and Alvina Kooplikatt; with President Tom Nedumcheril and Vice President Nimmy Muthalupidiyil and mentorship of Father Bins Chethalil. They have already been very active in many events this year; especially their involvement at the forane picnic and youth Sunday masses. They also hosted the second Annual Valentines dinner which was a huge success, with double the number of couples from the prior year. There was also a wonderful Lenten fellowship held recently at our parish with very active participation from our youth. They have many more activities lined up.
The youth is the backbone of our church; and we are thankful to our parish priest and parents for always supporting us. The future of every church is their youth and we can confidently say that we are laying down a good foundation. We pray that our youth will continue to carry on our faith and traditions passed onto us from our ancestors.
