Long Live Don Bosco!

Youth Gather

Long ago in 1815, in a shed a boy was born, destined to be liberator of the world’s abandoned youth. From the day of his birth to the day of his burial in 1888, Don Bosco’s life was a colourful saga of extraordinary achievement through dedication, hard work and trust in God, all directed to the well being of his young people. The year 2014-2015 began with great pomp and joy as the Salesian Family celebrated the Bicentenary Year of the Birth of our father and founder, Don Bosco. The concluding days of this year saw a lot of activity all over the world, beginning from his very birthplace. Here in India too, Don Bosco’s followers were one with those in Turin through various activities. Here are some of the Festive activities that marked the ending of the Bicentenary celebrations in Nashik - Maharashtra.

Marian Academy

On the 8^th of August, all over India in selected cities, the Don Bosco Bi-centenary International Short Film Festival of India was held. Nashik was one of the proud selected cities. Out of the 20 chosen short films, 10 were screened for children, youth, parents and the religious. Each film had a beautiful message to offer to all young and old. This short film festival was focused on bringing to the front light, the great virtues that Don Bosco stressed upon in a visual form.

On the 15^th of August the community of Divyadaan organized a day for the youth of Nashik with the theme: ‘Youth - the Shapers of Tomorrow’. Through the screening of the film on Don Bosco, interactive sessions and knowledge filled talks by Fr. Kenneth Pereira SDB and Fr. Robert Pen SDB, the youth were helped to  realize their role as the makers of world tomorrow by beginning to live their today's in the best way possible.

Youth Gather

On the same day after the evening Eucharist, in the Don Bosco Parish, a Marian Academy was organized in honor of Mary and as a way to conclude the Bicentenary celebrations in the Parish. Different religious communities and parish zones put up dances, songs, skits, etc. in honor of Mary and Don Bosco. It was truly a heart touching scene to see young and old on the stage enthusiastic like Don Bosco, honoring Mary and showing her their love and admiration.

On the 16^th of August, the great day of celebration, we in SHTC concluded this memorable year with a beautifully animated prayer service, taking us on a journey from Don Bosco’s birth through the very core of his spirituality which can be applied to any setting, not only Christians.

As we conclude this remarkable year of history in the life of the Salesian Family, we thank God for gifting us in Don Bosco, a father and friend. May the celebration of this year not end with August 16^th, but help his followers to reincarnate his spirit and charism to become signs and bearers of God’s love for all young people.

Marian Academy

Marian Academy

Independent India

On August 14th at the stroke of midnight the British flag was lowered. At the first minute of August 15^th the Indian tri-colour flag was raised with pomp and glory signifying the independence of India from foreign rule and we were born to freedom and independence.

We celebrated the 69^th year of freedom of our beloved Bharat Mata on the 15^th of August, 2015.  On every Independence Day we, as true patriotic, celebrate the freedom won by the sacrifice of our forefathers whose lives inspire and touch us. To make this day a memorable one the SHTC rejoiced with the entire nation in celebrating our Independence Day. We were all bubbling with great joy and love for our beloved nation India.

Preparation for this great day began a week ago. With hearts full of fervour and enthusiasm we decorated our Indian flag in the chapel expressing our loyalty and respect to Mother India. On 15^th August we began our day with a meaningful prayer moment praying for our country, its leaders and for all its citizens so that all of us may live in harmony and peace, followed by a short programme. The chief guest for the day was Sr. Anelfreda Miranda who hoisted the Indian flag.  We the novices sang patriotic songs, Sr. Minal Bhosale and Sr. Priti Kemu delivered their speeches in English and Marathi expressing their views about India, and we performed a cultural dance to express our love towards our motherland. Sr. Anelfreda shared with us her words of wisdom on this 69^th Independence Day and enlightened each of us. We Indians need to understand that real freedom is the freedom of heart that sets spirits free to live in peace and harmony with enlightened choices. We Indians need to be progressive in thought and actions with the power to discern the ugly and irrational, we need to be loyal to divine guidance to make our India a free, united and dynamic nation, A PARADISE ON EARTH. So let us with one mind and heart work for the development of our country India. 

BHARAT MATA KI JAI!

Grace filled moment for SHTC

At the dawn of 13^th August 2015, our hearts at SHTC were filled with joy and excitement to welcome our dearest new Provincial Sr. Rita Dora Thomas. We waited for this day with joyful expectancy and at last that long awaited moment came when Sr. Rita stood at the entrance of our house.

As it was her first visit as a Provincial, we welcomed her in a traditional Indian style by performing aarti and extending our warm wishes with a bouquet of flowers. We, the novices sang a welcome song to express our joy of having her in our midst. We all proceeded towards the chapel for a short prayer service to thank God for the priceless presence of Sr. Rita who lighted the lamp as a symbol of God’s presence, His blessing and His unconditional love in our life.

In the evening we had a short programme in honour of Sr. Rita which consisted of two dances, a skit and songs dedicated to Mary and Don Bosco. After the program Sr. Rita enlightened us with her inspiring and encouraging words. She met us personally and guided us and encouraged us to follow the Lord with much fervour and zeal.

Though it was a flying visit, we felt privileged to have her in our midst. It was a great joy to spend time with her. In such a short period we experienced her motherly care and concern. Her interest in helping us in our formation journey, made us feel special. Indeed these two days proved to be fruitful and enriching ones for each one in the community.

May the Good Lord bless our dear Sr. Rita with His choicest blessings and continue to guide her as she shepherds our Province with her creative and dedicated service. 

Mary, Beacon of Hope and Joy

Marian Nite is the culmination of the Marian Month, but for us Mary still continues to be a beacon of hope and joy. We were indeed happy to spend a month with Mary, bringing joy and witnessing Christ to others. Our Marian month was solemnly concluded with a Marian night. It was well animated with games and a quiz. All these gave us valuable messages. We were thrilled to have the Sisters of Maria Vihar, whose company we enjoyed.Mary is a model for youth. We are called to draw many young souls to the loving embrace of Mary who are faced with the challenges of life. As we conclude our Marian Month, we desire to be like Mary, beacons of hope and joy to all those whom we encounter in our daily living.

 

It’s a Great Day to Thank the Lord

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us all rejoice and be glad”.

5^th August marks a festal day for the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. It is a triple celebration combining the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the feast of Our Lady of Snows and the Birthday of our Beloved Institute. On this great day, FMA all over the world will receive the revised version of their Constitutions and are called to renew their vows through a solemn celebration during the day in keeping with the year of Consecrated Life.

Here in SHTC, we began the day on a festal note with a beautifully animated Morning Prayer, followed by a  solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by  Fr. Ivo Coelho sdb, the General Councilor for Formation. During his homily he focused on making Jesus the center of our life, through the daily reading of the Word of God and a daily transformation of our hearts. Our union with Jesus will lead us to become more human. In the evening, in keeping with the request of our Mother General to renew our religious profession, the communities of Maria Vihar and SHTC had a combined evening prayer service. During the prayer moment, the professed sisters renewed their ‘fiat’ to the Lord. This was followed by a fellowship meal and a moment of recreation.

Our hearts are filled with joy on this beautiful day and we wish to thank God for all his wonders that he has worked in these 143 years of our Institute and which he continues to work even now. We also thank the sisters of the Community of Maria Vihar for their large heartedness and sisterliness. May God bless them and Mother Mary keep them under her protecting mantle always.

A Beacon from the Holy Land

Here in SHTC, Nashik, there came a true beacon of hope and joy in keeping with our Marian month theme, on the 3^rd of August, 2015, in the person of Fr. Ivo Coelho sdb, the General Councilor of Formation for the SDB. 

He came with tidings from the Rector Major and our Mother General and with a specific request of praying for the cause of the beatification of the Venerable Salesian Lay Brother, Simaan Srugi. He brought along for us, some pamphlets, books and pictures with relics in remembrance of this holy man. 

On 5^th of August we were privileged to have him to celebrate the Holy Mass for the celebration of the completion of 143 years of our Institute. On the same day he came to give our community a conference highlighting the letter of the Rector Major to the Salesians titled ‘The Five Dreams of the Rector Major for the Conclusion of the Bicentenary Year’. 

The five dreams are as follows:

     1. I would like to see every Salesian happy,

     2. Be rooted in God,

3   3. I would like to see all Salesians working         for poor young,

     4. Live life with great simplicity and humility     without desire for power and money,

5   5. May there be collaboration between the         Salesians and the lay people (especially          in the Indian context).

He also asked us to be aware of what happens to us at every moment and to contemplate the mystery of the other person and creation.

We were happy to have such a wise and down to earth person here in our midst to give us such an enlightenment to help us in our formative journey. May the Lord bless him, sustain him and guide him onward in the great mission entrusted to his care.