RECOLLECTION CUM PILGRIMAGE OF THE SALESIAN FAMILY

Claudina Pinto
BANDRA, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010: The annual Recollection cum Pilgrimage to Mt. Mary’s was held at Auxilium Convent, Pali Hill Bandra on September 5, 2010. There were seventy- four members who took part in the program.

Fr. Elias Dias welcomed the members of the Salesian family for the Recollection cum Pilgrimage. He thanked Sr. Theresa Joseph and her community for making all the necessary arrangements for the program. He also thanked Fr. Ivan Rodriques for accepting to celebrate the mass and preach the homily for the group.

Mrs. Claudina Pinto informed the members about forth coming Spiritual Retreat at Chinchwal Pune at the end of this month.

In the first session Sr. Phyllis Fernandez the National delegate of the Salesian family for FMA exposed with PowerPoint presentation the life and holiness of Don Michael Rua.

This was followed by a group discussion and sharing of ideas. In the second session she dealt with the lives of our Patrons: Don Bosco, Mary Mazarello and St. Francis de Sales.

Fr. Ivan Rodriques celebrated the Holy Eucharist. In his homily he spoke on blessed Mother Theresa. Her vocation and the crosses. All Christians are called to carry their own crosses. As members of the Salesian family we have our own crosses to carry. He encouraged the members to live as real Disciples of Christ. After lunch the members went in procession to Mt. Mary. On their way they recited the holy rosary and sang hymns. At the basilica a short prayer service was conducted prepared by the Pali Hill unit of the co-operators.

Mrs. Philomena Mendes thanked the sisters of Pali Hill Convent, Fr. Ivan Rodriques, Fr. Elias Dias and all the co-operators for making this program a success.

BIS #1989 ANIMATION PROGRAM FOR THE SALESIAN FAMILY

Ketan Gala
MATUNGA, AUGUST 23, 2010: The Salesian animation program for the members of the Salesian family was held on August 22, 2010 at Don Bosco Provincial house Mumbai. The animators were Rev Fr. Joaqim D’Souza Provincial of UPS and Fr. Elias Dias the Provincial delegate of the Salesian family Mumbai Province.

The theme of the animation was the historical aspect of the life of Don Bosco. There were seventy members from different branches of the Salesian family present for the program.
At the Eucharist Fr. Joaqim D’Souza was the main celebrant. In his homily he said that god wants us to be saints but he will not do it without our co-operation. We all are the members of the Salesian family and we want to be saved by following the spirituality of Don Bosco. Once Don Bosco said to his students that all are called to be saved. It is easy to be saved. God rewards to those who achieve his holiness. How can we achieve this holiness? Don Bosco gave us a short way to holiness. Be cheerful, do your duties well and engage in the apostolate. We will be able to do this only when we have apostolic charity in our hearts.

The topic of animation was dealt by Fr. Elias Dias. In the first part he explained the reason why we should study Don Bosco. He then spoke on the ancestry, childhood days; schooldays, seminary days, and the ordination of Don Bosco. In the second part he explained his life at the Convitto Eccelesiastico, Wandering Oratory and his settlement at the Penardi shed. In the third part he spoke about the development of the Oratory, founding and the spread of the congregation, his missionary zeal, his death and beatification and canonization.
The members of the Salesian family were very pleased to know and learn the whole life of don Bosco. Mrs. Claudina Pinto the Provincial coordinator of the Salesian co-operators proposed the vote of thanks.