BANGALORE: Initiative for Call Centre, BPO Youth

BANGALORE: Call Centre, BPO Youth to Get Special Pastoral Attention

BANGALORE, September 19, 2006 (KC Blog): If a new initiative by some Bangalore Youth start's rolling, call center and BPO employees can look forward to being treated with special pastoral attention.

The Bangalore Jesus Youth (JY) Professionals' Ministry has decided to take a challenging step in reaching out to youth working in BPOs and Call Centers across the city.

The idea for the initiative came from a talk, tuesday 12th September, by His Grace Bernard Moras, the Archbishop of Bangalore addressing the pastoral concerns of migrating professionals. A note from Rohit D'Souza, co-ordinator of the Bangalore JY Professionals' Ministry quoted the Archbishop as saying, "if these youth, who stay in bangalore for work, lose their faith during their stay then who will be held responsible? We would be held responsible."

Employees of BPOs and call centres across the country, work under very stressful conditions in odd shifts, mostly at night. Mass and sacraments have been out of reach for many Catholics in the industry.

The initiative stresses the need to address issues such as individualism, fashion, abortions, live-ins, extra-marital affairs. Taining counsellors, teaching youth how to handle money, having flexible mass and confession timings will be part of "repackag[ing] ourselves to address the existing problem."

After a time of prayer, discussion and brain storming with pastors, senior leaders, and JYs working in BPOs, a core group consisting of Patrick, Britto and Manoj, was elected Sunday 19th, to pray and work towards solutions. As of now the group plans for a retreat in November particularly for the call centre and BPO youth.

The initiative is backed by the guidance of Bangalore Jesus Youth pastor, Rev. Fr Tom Polackal SDB, psychology expert, Rev. Fr. Dr. Jose and Mr. Mathew Joseph, a JY 'elder' and co-ordinator of Joynet, the international Jesus Youth mailing list.

The Professionals' Ministry in Bangalore is a one of the several ministries part of Jesus Youth, an international Catholic youth movement with a Charismatic spirituality that had its beginnings in the South Indian state of Kerala.

The Jesus Youth are grateful to the Salesian priests for their support and involvement in this venture.

END