LAUNCH OF ADMA IN MUMBAI

Natasha Almeida
MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009:
THE ASSOCIATION OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS (ADMA) was launched on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at the A.V Hall at the Provincial House, Matunga. The feast day of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother was chosen for this first gathering. The meeting was led by Fr. Wilfred D’souza and Fr. Elias Dias.
Fr. Wilfred in his opening address welcomed the participants and said that as members of ADMA they now become a part of the Salesian Family. The meeting planned to focus mainly on two aspects: what ADMA entails as an association and a look at the Marian feasts in the month of September.
Fr. Elias, the Provincial Delegate of the Salesian Family taking the podium mentioned that starting off ADMA in Mumbai was his dream. “Devotion to Mary Help of Christians and to the Blessed Sacrament is a gift. If we do not make use of these gifts it is useless,” he added. He also made a mention of the up coming programs for the month of October and November for the Salesian Family.
For the benefit of the members Fr. Wilfred explained the origin of the Association and what the Association aims at. Very briefly he explained the nature, goals and the commitments of ADMA. In the second half of the meeting Fr. Wilfred discussed the various Marian feasts in the month of September. The enthusiastic house came up with various suggestions of carrying out the membership of the Association on a day to day basis. Similarly, a very brief sharing and question and answer session got the members involved. The 23 members who attended the first meeting have set the sails going for the ADMA in Mumbai.
The association will meet on the first Saturday of every month at 5.30pm.

FAMILY PRAYS TOGETHER TO STAY TOGETHER

Chris Valentino sdb
MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 08, 2009:
The Salesian Family of the Mumbai Province celebrated a day of recollection at Auxilium, Pali Hill, Bandra-Mumbai on Sunday, September 6, 2009. At a day dedicated to the theme “My Commitment Today” the Family members gathered in large number, 97 to be precise - to pray, reflect, commit and renew their vocation. They came, they stayed and they went back rejuvenated.

The day began with ‘nashta’ and thereafter proceeded to heavier things as Sr. Teresa Joseph, a renowned speaker, writer and animator-trainer addressed the members with an inspiring power-point programme. She had the members glued to every word she uttered on Don Bosco’s Charism, the joy of belonging to the Salesian family, the Rector Major as the centre of the unity, pastoral charity, Da Mihi Animas, and the key elements of the Preventive System. She said “we are all called to work for the common mission… making the gift of our Charism to the Church and to society and by asking ourselves: What is Don Bosco asking me to do today?”

Later Sr. Phyllis with great experience and acumen expressed her views on what the word “commitment” entailed for us all. In a talk peppered with apt humour and genuine reflection she expounded in a very lucid manner the importance of commitment and what it means to us today, as members of the Salesian Family.

The family then celebrated a well-animated Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Christopher. Speaking during the homily, Fr Christopher dwelt on the Salesian Family as a Movement and drew examples from ordinary life to explain how ours is a movement with a difference. He stressed: “in order to commit ourselves to the mission and dream of Don Bosco we need to know ourselves better, form ourselves together and then work together in peace and harmony.”

Fr. Elias Dias, the Provincial Delegate of the Salesian Family thanked the FMA Sisters of Pali Hill for hosting and animating this recollection pilgrimage, Fr. Christopher for celebrating the Holy Eucharist and his homily and all the members of the Salesian Family present for the occasion, for their love and sacrifice.


After lunch all the members of the Salesian Family walked to Mont Mary’s Basilica singing hymns and reciting the Holy Rosary. In the Basilica they held a short prayer service and then dispersed back to their own hearths with a heart filled with Don Bosco and our Blessed Mother!