SALESIAN FAMILY DAY - 2012

Philomeena Mendes and Wency Pinto

MATUNGA, JANUARY19, 2012: January 15, 2012 was a day of great celebration for the Salesian Family. SDBs, FMAs, Delegates, Past Pupils, Salesian Cooperators, VDBs, SMIs, and ADMA from Mumbai, Lonavla, Ahmednagar, Virar, Vasai, Pune, Chotta Udepur, Nerul, and Narukhot met together at Don Bosco Primary School Hall, Matunga. The response was overwhelming as we were in all about hundred and seventy in number.

Fr. Ajoy Fernandes presided over the Holy Mass concelebrated by Frs. Thomas D’Costa, Joe Braganza, Brian Moras, and Vivian D’Souza. The programme started with a prayerful Dance prepared by PP of FMA. Fr. Wilfred introduced the Salesian Cooperators of the twelve units; the new group of Aspirant-PP from Lonavla, and each of the other groups present.

The Chief Guest, Fr. Ajoy was felicitated with a bouquet of flowers. He then addressed the gathering, conveying the greetings of Fr. Michael Fernandes, (Provincial). He stressed that we as Salesian Family are collaborators and we all share in the common mission of reaching out to the poor youth in the rural areas following the Don Bosco India Project. The Strenna of 2012 by the Rector Major: “Let us make the young the mission of our life, coming to know and imitate Don Bosco”, was then presented with the DVD prepared in Rome, by Fr. Wilfred, Salesian Family Delegate. He invited all the units to spend two meetings to discuss this Strenna. Few dance and song items then enlivened the programme. Fr. Wilfred thereafter gave special thanks to Claudina and Ketan. Later he called on the units to fill in bio data forms, and fulfil certain norms before taking the Promise, and informed of the forthcoming outreach programme to Karjat on February 12, 2012.

Claudina raised the vote of thanks. The Salesian Family Day concluded with Fr. Joe Braganza blessing the meal. While some served themselves, the rest enjoyed a quick round of Housie and spot prizes all organized by the Past Pupils Federation. The function came to an end by 1.30 pm.

SALFAM RECOLLECTION CUM WALKING PILGRIMAGE – BANDRA

Philomeena Mendes
MATUNGA, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011: On Sunday September 4, 2011 eighty members comprising Salesian Cooperators, ADMA, FMA, and Past Pupils gathered at St. Andrews High School, Bandra from 8.30 am. Fr. Wilfred D’Souza, Salesian Family Delegate welcomed Fr. Bastin Thomas sdb the preacher, as well as all the participants. A prayerful meditation on Psalm 94 before the Blessed Sacrament, interspersed with Hindi bhajans helped us spend time with Jesus.

After a short break and fellowship, Fr. Thomas presented the topic “Don Bosco the Exorcist” very vividly with excerpts from the Biographical Memoirs. Don Bosco had to fight the harassment of the Evil one against him and his boys. Spiritismrampant in Turin also lured away good Catholics. The participants interacted very well and various points were raised. It was clear that we have a duty to proclaim and not compromise our faith in every challenging situation.  Fr. D’Souza in his homily at the Eucharist, concelebrated with Fr. Thomas, showed how God made Ezekiel responsible for admonishing God’s people. Jesus too wants us to help those who are going astray. Don Bosco calls the Salesian Family to bring the young to Jesus. He also made a mention of the Pastoral letter the Cardinal had just issued, concerning the new texts of the Missal to be in use from Advent this year.

Fr. Magi Murzello, Principal of St. Andrew School was profusely thanked for giving us the A.V. hall as well as organizing the canteen for our snacks and lunch. A bouquet of flowers and a Thank You card will be taken by Sr. Alka to him as he could not be present.

After a brief Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Claudina, the group started walking in procession to the Mount reciting the Rosary and the Divine Mercy prayer and singing hymns to Our Lady. After venerating our Blessed Mother and a cup tea, all dispersed having participated in a spiritual feast.

SALESIAN FAMILY OUTREACH PROGRAM

Claudina Pinto
THANE, NOVEMBER 29, 2010: The members of the Salesian family went for an outreach program to Bosco Samaj Vikas Sanstha at Jawahar, Thane district on Sunday November 28, 2010. Bosco Samaj Vikas Sanstha is a social development organization working across the Thane district of Maharashtra with tribal and rural communities. Seventy members of the Salesian family, Salesian fathers, Sisters, Cooperators, Past Pupils, ADMA and VDB from different centre of Mumbai left the city by two buses. One from Matunga and the other from Andheri and Borivili at 7.30am. After a long journey of four hours they reached the destination and were welcomed by Fr. Anaclete D’Mello and other staff members with a broad smile.

Fr. Elias Dias, Fr. Wilfred D’Souza and Fr. Lloyd Rodrigues celebrated Holy Eucharist. In his homily Fr. Elias Dias spoke about advent and how to prepare for the coming of Christ. He said; 1. By giving in- whatever differences we had in the past. 2. By giving up- our sins and our weaknesses. 3. By giving out- by sharing ourselves and our goods with others we will have a wonderful Christmas.

After the mass Mr. Melvin and Fr. Anaclete explained to the members their social works in the villages and how the programs are oriented towards the education and empowering poor people to become the agents of social change for the transformation of society.

After lunch the members played a short housie game and were then divided into groups who visited different villages. When they came back they had snacks. Sr. Phyllis Fernandes thanked Fr. Anaclete on his hospitality and all the arrangements. The members of the Family contributed their mite for the development of this tribal project. The Past pupil of Andheri unit adopted one village. All admired the challenging work done by the Salesians in this neglected belt of Adivasis in Maharashtra.

ADMA GOES ON A MARIAN PILGRIMAGE

MATUNGA, OCTOBER 12, 2010: Saturday October 9 was chosen as a suitable day to go on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at Karjat. The Marian Devotees left our Shrine at Matunga in a bus at 7.00 am and headed straight for the other Marian Shrine. We were greeted warmly by the Priest in Charge, Fr. Callistus Fernandes. Unexpectedly, we were joined by another group and were able to celebrate a Mass together in the little Church well decorated for the feast on October 13. ADMA members were content to have the opportunity to pray the novena prayer and spend time in personal prayer.
We then headed for Don Bosco’s. It was a first time visit that brought great ‘oohs and aahs’ to everyone’s lips. It seemed unbelievable what the Salesians are capable of.
Fr. Xavier was a most wonderful host spending the rest of the morning with us. His informative inputs left everyone so impressed and he certainly made many new friends as he had an eager, enquiring audience. A good lunch, a little siesta and a round of party games made up the rest of the afternoon, before we got ready for the journey back home. It was a memorable day that also served to offer members a chance to get to know each other better, this being their first outing together.

THE FIRST COMMITMENT DAY FOR ADMA

Wilfred D’Souza sdb
MATUNGA, AUGUST 20, 2010: ADMA – The Association of Mary Help of Christians celebrated the Commitment made by twenty of its first Members on Saturday August 14, 2010. The occasion was even more special due to the presence of Fr. Klement Vaclav. They received their commitment at the 8.15 Mass. As they stood before God’s altar answered the questions put to them about their understanding of their enrollment and then recited the formula of the Commitment. Each of them received a Badge of Mary Help of Christians and Membership Card from Turin and the book of Regulations printed in the National Centre of the Salesian Family.

The Association started at the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, Matunga on September 8, 2009 and has been regularly holding their formation meetings on the first Saturday of every month under the direction of Fr. Wilfred D’Souza. On the May 24, 2010 the local unit was officially aggregated to the Primary Association at the Basilica in Turin and a Diploma to this effect has been received.

SALESIAN FAMILY DAY 2010: MUMBAI

Glenford Lowe sdb

MUMBAI, JANUARY 18, 2010: Seven of the vast 27 Salesian Family members met at Don Bosco Institute of Learning, Kurla on January 17, 2010, to celebrate their annual Salesian Family Day. Over 230 members representing the SDBs, FMAs, Cooperators, Past Pupils, SMIs, VDBs and ADMAs participated in the get-together.

Fr. Provincial presided at a Solemn Eucharist concelebrated by a number of priests representing the various units in the Province. At the homily, Fr. Provincial blended the Strenna for the year 2010 “We want to see Jesus” together with the gospel reading “They have no Wine”. In the finitude of our lives we seek the person of Jesus who gives us a new infilling. In the centenary of the death of Don Rua, this is our new calling - “to imitate him who was a faithful disciple, always dynamic, transforming water in wine”, he said.

The Salesian Family members were then introduced to the Strenna of the Rector Major. In true Salesian style, the evening had a lot in store: from Koli dances to Bollywood beats, songs from Becchi SDBs to Mornese FMAs. No one would have liked to be left out…. a family photo froze the memorable moment in time. The community of DB Kurla spared no efforts to provide us with the best.

Fr. Brian Moras took the opportunity to invite the Salesian Family to get involved in the up-coming Youth Ministry holiday and Vocation Camps. The harvest is still rich and the Salesian family was invited to ‘pray their part’ and propose to young people “Why NOT, a PRIEST?”

A sumptuous meal and fellowship brought the event to a close. Thanks to Fr. Elias Diaz, the delegate for the Salesian Family, for his untiring efforts to lead the SF to greater strength and commitment.

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.