*REPORT ON THE DEEPENING AND WIDENING SEMINAR (in Tamil) HELD AT NBCLC, BENGALURU 15th - 19th MAY 2023*

This lay leadership training program intended for deepening and widening the leadership qualities of the laity who have already participated in the basic Lay Leadership Seminar at NBCLC was attended by 49 lay people (13 women and 36 men). Fr. Louis (Anjali Ashram, Mysore), Fr. X.D. Selvaraj, Fr. John Baptist (Director, NBCLC), Fr. Patrick, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Anthony Fernandez, Mr. John Joseph, Mr. Arokiaraj, Mrs. Amali and Mr. J Maria Michael served as resource persons.

The program started at 9am on 15.05.2023 with Lighting of Lamp, Bajan singing and Prayer. The Director of NBCLC inaugurated the training program. Mr. P. Lawrence, the coordinator of the program, welcomed the participants and resource persons. Fr. Louis gave the felicitations. Mr. J. Maria Michael gave some pieces of useful information for the pleasant stay at NBCLC for five days. After tea break, the participants introduced themselves and expressed their expectations from the training. Fr. Louis shared his thoughts on the identity and place of a Christian in the society and in the church. After noon prayer, lunch and rest, the participants were divided into five groups, followed by brushing up of their memory on the lessons learnt in the basic leadership seminar already attended by them, clarifications and highlighting. After evening tea, the participants were initiated to public speaking. After Holy Mass, supper, evaluation and announcements, the participants went for rest.

The programs for the next four days included morning yoga, Holy Mass, evening prayer and discussions.

On 16.05.2023, the second day, Fr. X.D. Selvaraj explained the mission and service of Jesus Christ. Then Mr. Anthony Fernandes delivered a lecture on politics, followed by discussion. The groups were sent to workshop for a group discussion, preparation and writing of essay and practice for delivering lecture on the above two subjects.

On 17.05.2023, the third day, the topic was the Church, its identity and mission. The same procedure of group discussion and workshops, preparation for writing essay and practice of delivering lecture was followed.

On 18.05.2023, the fourth day, the topics were Peoples' Movements and Culture. This was followed by group discussion and workshops and reporting sessions. The doubts were clarified.

On 19.05.2023, the concluding day, the Historical, Social, Religious, Financial, Political and Cultural context in which Jesus Christ carried out his mission was clearly explained and doubts were clarified.

As a result of this program, the participants decided to form groups to follow up as a movement to spread the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and to step up participation of the laity in politics for promoting God's Kingdom.

At the end of the program, the participants expressed happiness and gratitude for the fruitful stay at NBCLC and the deepening of their commitment. Certificates were given away to participants. The valedictory came to an end with a prayer.