SALESIAN COOPERATORS RETREAT

Claudina Pinto
 CHINCHWAD, OCTOBER 6, 2010: The Salesian cooperators took a couple of days off from their family life and spent two days in the calm of the Don Bosco non formal technical setup at Chinchwad. The group of fifty four enthusiastic members of the Salesian family came in on the evening of October 1, 2010. Fr. Vivan D’souza was the animator. At the outset of the retreat Fr. Corlis and his community welcomed the members.  Mrs. Claudina Pinto gave a warm welcome to the cooperators, thanked Fr. Vivan for accepting to preach the retreat and Fr. Corlis and his community for making it possible to conduct the retreat at Chinchwadi.  Fr. Vivan D’souza then took over to initiate the group into recollection through an introductory talk and the power point presentation. The next day was spent on self–emptying process and on the sacrament of reconciliation.
   
The last day was dedicated to Christ experience this culminated into a beautiful and unique experience of surrender. Fr. Elias Dias celebrated the concluding Holy Eucharist. In his homily he said that Don Bosco was a guide for many people who wanted to climb the mountain of holiness. Don Bosco offered a few means to achieve his holiness:
·         Word of god
·         Spiritual reading on the lives of saints
·         Reception of the sacrament of reconciliation and communion
·         Popular devotions
·         Practice of virtues and get involved in the active charity.
     
Do all these simple things for the greater glory of God.  Mrs. Philomena Mendes gave the vote of thanks. She thanked Fr. Dias for organizing the retreat, Fr. Vivan for his animation and for Fr. Corlis and his community for their kindness, generosity and hospitality.

PAST PUPIL MEET FOR THE YEAR 2010-2011

Bro. Anthony Dias sdb
DAKOR, SEPT EMBER 21, 2010: The past pupils meeting took place on September 19, 2010. The meeting began with the prayer moments led by bro. Anthony. Around twenty youth had gathered for the meeting and it was nice to see some of the older students present there for the meeting.

In the second half of the meeting Mr. Hasmukh one of the resource person was called upon to give the talk to the youth. The resource person spoke on the topic of dealing with different situation in life and especially when it is easy to live life for oneself but difficult to live for another. He also spoke to them on the topic that it is important that we help each other in the different situations in life. Then the youth went for lunch after the session and came back for the second session which was taken by Fr. Mayank Parmar sdb on how to become the member of the past pupil unit and he invited the youngsters that nothing is impossible in life. He also spoke to them about the joining of the past pupils association. In the evening the past pupils were provided tea and snacks they enjoyed the day. They had a little jam session in the hall. The students were interested in having a basketball match with the boarders and they played a good game recalling the days when they used to play in their boarding days.the meeting ended on a good note and they went away saying good bye to come back for the good memories that they had cherished for their lives.