NEWSWATCH | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2020

Author: Serena DSouza

THE CATHOLIC CHAI

CHAI! I am sure it strikes a chord with all of you along with a mental picture of accompanying grease-filled, not so healthy but gobsmacking tasty roadside treats. But wait a minute! What’s CATHOLIC about chai? Wondering if you missed out on some major announcement during online Sunday mass? Before you start bombarding Google or WhatsApp, allow me to calm your palpitations by informing you that this is not the case. However, there is an exciting new-relevant-happening-much needed CHAT show called THE CATHOLIC CHAI. Yes, you read it right. 

Jesus Youth India Media Ministry supported the personal mission of a bunch of 20-28-year-olds to start this incredible journey which began in mid-2019. Cristin Joseph, an editor cum director by profession and the mind behind this idea, envisaged using social media platforms to spread the good news. Discussions over CHAI meetings on topics related to the Catholic Church led to the ideation and a deeper understanding of the need for readily available, validated content on the Church’s teachings in a format that was youth friendly. With a lot of prayer and inspiration by the Holy Spirit, Cristin and his fellow group members translated the vision into the bi-weekly YouTube chat show which premiered on May 16, 2020 despite the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. 

The team, a beautiful blend of working professionals and college students, is streamlined into three sub-groups: Hosts (Johny Baby and Neil George), the research team (Maria Joseph, Ann Mary and Anna Ros) and the creative team (Cristin Joseph and Diya Mary Shaju).  The team is also guided by mentors, CC Joseph, Jacob Jose and Fr. Bitaju. They do recognise the necessity and power of prayer. Despite their hectic professional commitments, all the members come together for daily prayer for the chat show, participate as a group in Holy Mass before every episode and have paired team members to encourage each other to pray! 

Wondering how this is different from the plethora of content available on the internet? The Catholic Chai doesn’t shy away from addressing the matters that concern today’s youth. Additionally, their chat show has live audience whose questions are catered to by the resource of the show. They have discussed the stand of the Catholic Church on topics such as dating and relationships, contraception, same-sex attraction, mental health, political chai, being a Catholic woman and so on.  The chat show also ensures the recruitment of an apt resource person (national and international) after discussions with the mentors, priests and JY India Council. Although it may sound like The Catholic CHAI is contrary to the light-hearted-yet-hurried meetings during work that 'chai' is associated with, the team has managed to discuss these relevant aspects with a non-preachy, fun yet sober demeanour.

I am sure there have been a gazillion unanswered topics which have crossed our minds causing us to ponder over its relation to the Catholic Church.  If so, do watch the Catholic CHAI on YouTube (past episodes are available as well!). The team is also open to feedback regarding the topics that the audience would like to hear. You can DM them on Instagram.com/thecatholicchai. What are you waiting for? Get your hot cup of CHAI and snacks with your friends and tune in to the world of THE CATHOLIC CHAI!

Papal Embrace for JY

His Excellency, Bishop Mar Raphael Thattil recently had an audience with Pope Francis. He speaks about that meeting. 

Then I said to the Pope, ‘Holy Father, I would like to add one more thing.’ Pope Francis replied, ‘What is it?’ I looked at him and said, ‘I am the newly appointed Ecclesiastical Advisor for the Jesus Youth movement.’

At that very moment, I saw the Pope's face brighten with joy. He embraced me towards his heart and said, ‘You are the Ecclesiastical Advisor for Jesus Youth movement, appointed by the Holy See. Tell the Jesus Youth that they are very close to my heart.’

I thought that in his affection for me, the Pope had hugged me. But actually he wanted to show that Jesus Youth was very close to his heart. 

‘They are very dear to the Church. They are most needed in the Church. I pray for them. I bless them.’

My beloved Jesus Youth family, I would like to tell each of you that the Catholic Church, the Holy See and the Holy Father, Pope Francis considers Jesus Youth as a horizon of glory, beyond your expectations. The Church and our Pope perceives us as a great missionary movement and a missionary presence.  The Holy Father reminds us of who we are, ‘A missionary movement at the service of the church – a mission movement that works for the Church.’