BIS #3203 CAMPAIGN TO STOP CHILD MARRIAGE IN KAPADVANJ BLOCK

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3203

CAMPAIGN TO STOP CHILD MARRIAGE IN KAPADVANJ BLOCK

 

KAPADVANJ, NOVEMBER 01, 2012 :An awareness campaign is being organized in three villages of the Kapadvanj block to stop  child marriage. The youth themselves are involved in this campaign in their own villages with the help of DRISTI Don Bosco, Kapadvanj.

 

DRISTI took the initiative to train few youth. Accordingly four youth together with DRISTI staff were sent to Delhi to equip themselves with the knowledge and methodology to abolish this social evil which in turn leads to other major problems for society and the young couples themselves.

 

After receiving the training in Delhi, these four youth have decided to organize signature campaign in their own villages. Thus on 13 October 2012 in Navamuvada, 14 October 2012 in Hadmatya and 20 October 2012 in Bapujinamuvada, youth of the village came together under the leadership of Ms. Sangeeta in Navamuvada, Master Kishan in Hadmatiya and Master Vijay in Bapujinamuvada.

 

In all these villages around Sixty five youth were gathered.  After imparting information and enumerating the evils of child marriage, the youth of these villages were convinced and asked them to be part of the movement.

 

Mr. Sanjay Parmar DRISTI Staff and Fr. Mayank Parmar told the group of youth leaders about DRISTI activities and offered them our backing with all the expertise of DRISTI to help the youth of the villages in choosing the career for their future. The youth were enthused and agreed to join the signature campaign and promise under oath that they will not marry until they attain the legal age of marriage and also convince others to do the same.

 

At the next meeting that is to be held at Don Bosco Kapadvanj, the youth leaders have on their agenda  the drawing up of a concrete plan to abolish child marriage in the coming year.

 

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BOSCO BIS INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI

Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
Email: bis@donboscomumbai.org

Website: www.donboscomumbai.org

News Blog: http://bismumbai.blogspot.com

 

 

 

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BIS #3202 THE LORD'S RANCH - GOD'S OWN MEETING PLACE

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3202

THE LORD’S RANCH - GOD‘S OWN MEETING PLACE

Cl. Joyston Machado

 

DIVYADAAN-NASHIK,  OCTOBER 30, 2012 :   The community of Divyadaan travelled all the way to the Lord’s Ranch a place so beautifully clad by nature’s beauty. The community embarked with the intention of meeting the Lord in Silence, prayer and reflection. This retreat at the Lord’s Ranch has indeed been a moment of breaking out of one’s so comfortable cocooned living to allowing Christ’s love to guide us. Focusing on the theme ‘Heal me my Lord’, there were various topics which over the course of the days which would gear together to spell out this theme. We very often begin a spiritual Journey with  ‘In the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.’ But this experience must not be one which would end by saying ‘As it was in the beginning, is now and at the hour of our death.’

 

The retreat was truly a changing moment for each and everyone. It showed us that we from being people who are so caught up in the routine of doing things, were slowly opening ourselves to allowing the spirit to work (rhythm) in us.

 

There were various themes that were selected for each day of the Retreat. At the end of each day a movie on the theme of the day was shown to all. The retreat preacher Fr. Richard D’silva through two sessions during the day and also animating the meditation and other moments of prayer made this retreat a lively spiritual experience for all. The Retreat was a moment of knowing our relationship with God and about God’s relation with us.

 

It was a moment to know that we are the amazing children of an Amazing God in life we are so often caught up in our little world that we think that our God is also one like us. But the truth is that we do not realize that we are children of a mighty God. Before I could make a shame of my life the Lord made a shame of his life by Dying on the cross. Before I decide what to do in my life, God has already decided what to do with my life. God is everywhere and in everything. From being in the deepest portion of my cell as Laminin as a CROSS, to revealing himself at the core of the Whirlpool galaxy in the form of a CROSS, God is there. And therefore we are the blessed children of a gracious God.

 

It was a moment of introspection within my life and a retrospection of my past this was a moment when we got to see ourselves as individuals who so often are busy performing things so selfishly, independently and boldly as we wander from one stage in life to another without making Christ truly the centre of our lives.

 

It was a moment of looking at my own ‘CALL’ our vocation is so very special. This was an opportunity to look at our individual vocation and our call. In the journey of life we are so often caught up with and are camouflaged by the things and people around us that the Lord’s call to ME – which is so special and unique, is almost lost in this journey.

Even when we take a look at our own Religious Life we notice it with a lot of negativity and pessimism. We fail to look at Religious life as a love being made visible through the person of Christ.

 

There is one thing the Psychologists says which is very true, that is the main problem that Religious face today is the whole question of,” Am I really called?” We often doubt whether we will remain faithful to the Lord, but in the long run forget that it’s not we but the Lord who is FAITHFUL to us.

 

It was a moment of sharing one’s cries with the Lord sometimes what triggers the most is that we individuals cry alone, little allowing our own parents, relatives, friends and even GOD know about what is going on within us. This is of utmost importance because when we only know that God who loves us so much is ready to listen to all that troubles us and all that hurts us, if only we can share it with him.

 

It was a moment to realize that our call is to be like Christ as religious we are called to be followers of Christ. We are called to follow Him by imitating him. Christ calls us to Holiness. To be alive is to be holy, and this is Christ’s wish for all of us.

 

It was a moment to realize that we are on a Journey our journey through life can be categorized into two halves. In one we are searching for a direction and an identity in which we are constantly striving to prove something to people (who I am? what can I be\do?) often relying on having more and getting more. And in the other we leave everything to find our happiness in Christ as we rely on giving more to people.

 

It was a moment of healing there are numerous of baggage’s we normally carry as we journey on in life. We little realize that this at times can cause a lot of harm to us, and in some way we lose our identity and direction in life. We give a lot of meaning to our burdens that we fail to realize that the Lord wants to touch our lives and help us to grow. There are loads of pain, suffering, troubles that we carry and which we are living with from the time of our birth. The retreat was an amazing moment of unloading all the unwanted baggages. In other words all our fears, anger, anxiety and guilt and all the others that stop us from being true witnesses of Christ’s through our very lives. The inner healing service which was so well animated by Patrick (the person who was responsible for our staying at the Lord’s Ranch and who was also co-coordinating the whole Retreat) these moments were indeed one which were so filled with an inner filling of one’s life with a little more of Christ and a much leaving out of our own past pains and hurts which for so long we have been battling with.

 

It was a moment of looking at the Vows as steps towards God the talk on the vows became so special and important in our search for God’s love

·         Poverty: becomes so special because through it we ultimately take God as our greatest treasure and leave everything else behind.

·         Chastity: is a complete giving of one’s love to someone who awaits it and is so madly in love with me. That is God.

·         Obedience: is entering into a partnership with God when we listen and obey him through our elders and our superiors.

It was a moment of total surrender to God as religious we are invited to put our lives in God’s hands, so that I may change my life through Him. The Lord calls to a total giving up of oneself because its only in giving that God can make use of us to do the good that He intends to do through us. This is only possible if I allow Christ to work in my life.

 

It was a moment of looking at our communion with those in our community it’s so very easy to speak of community life, but so difficult to live in it. This is often the feeling of many. The thought that lingers in our minds of a community is one in which there are a lot of rubbing of shoulders, fights and misunderstandings, but that’s not the only meaning of a community.  Living in a community means to be able to accept the other’s opinion, to be ready to have a good communication with all without setting barriers on some, to live in a family spirit completely ready to share one’s life selflessly to seek the good of the other.

 

We are so often mistaken thinking that a community is made up of structures and situations, but it’s the individuals, people living together, ‘I’ who make the community.

A community is one which is built on Prayer and is fostered by an atmosphere of togetherness where challenges are a must for a united GROWTH of all.

 

We came for the retreat with our little Life in which we were Living In Full Energy, but we have to finish this experience with a Life in which we are Letting Christ’s Love To Flow In us and From us to Everyone

 

It’s said, “We know the tree by knowing the fruits”.  These moments were not only a R-E-T-R-E-A-T without allowing anything really going deeper within oneself. But this has been a RE-TREATING of oneself with the true and selfless love of Christ in each of us and from us to everyone.

 

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BOSCO BIS INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI

Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
Email: bis@donboscomumbai.org

Website: www.donboscomumbai.org

News Blog: http://bismumbai.blogspot.com

 

 

 

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BIS #3201 BROTHERS DAY OUT!

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3201

BROTHERS DAY OUT!

Cl. Dustin Yarde.

 

DIVYADAAN-NASHIK, OCTOBER 30, 2012 :  In the wee hours of the morning on the 26 of October the annual retreat of the community of Divyadaan came to an end and a wonderful picnic commenced, one that was chalked out so as to make sure that the brothers pursuing their B.ph. degree get to enjoy a glimpse of all the wonderful work that our fellow confreres are carrying out in and around Pune.

 

The first stop was Don Bosco Yerwada where we have a school, college and a lively parish apostolate going on simultaneously in full swing. Fr. Egidio Falcao was there to give the brothers a warm reception. He then gave a summary of the work being carried there and all the various initiatives that the Fathers there have being taking up. The brothers were then treated to a sumptuous meal following which the journey continued taking the brothers to JDV College of theology and philosophy. The tour of the campus began with a look at the Papal seminary, then to the library and ended with a look at all the lecture halls where many a priests and bishops have been imparted with the priceless knowledge of God.

 

Next the brothers visited DBYC Koregaon Park, where the Rector Fr. Nelson Carvalho welcomed them warmly and the brothers were treated to some delicious snacks and tea. Then Fr. Nelson introduced the staff of DBYC and all gave a brief history of the house and how it is actually the motherhouse of Divyadaan itself. Then the brothers received a very informative and inspiring tour of the terrace of the house where Fr. Damien has began with terrace plantation and various other eco-friendly initiatives, this proved to the brothers that where there’s a will any space is big enough to accomplish it.

 

The journey then continued taking the brothers out of Pune and into Chinchwad where the brothers were affectionately greeted by the Rector Fr. Corlis who personally led them through a guided tour of the entire house and all the different workshops and trades that the place has to offer. The brothers were mighty impressed with all the professional faculties made available especially to the poor for whom to receive such education is nothing short of a dream come true. Then after a wholesome dinner the brothers resumed their journey to their next destination i.e. Lonavala.

 

Lonavala being the aspirantate for most of the brothers did bring back many fond memories and smiles on the faces of the brothers and the warm-hearted hospitality of Fr. Cletus made the visit extra special. After a good night’s rest the brothers joined in for the celebration of the Eucharist with the aspirants and also helped in animating the mass with their various musical talents.

 

Then after breakfast various matches of volleyball and football were organised which provided the opportunity for more interaction between the brothers and the aspirants and also for a healthy competitive spirit on the playing field. Then after an early and splendid lunch the brothers recommenced their journey to their final destination i.e. our Salesian community at Karjat.

 

The brothers reached Karjat by late afternoon and after some tea and snacks were welcomed once again by the Rector Fr. Xavier and were privileged that Fr. Xavier took time out to first share with the brothers all about the various works that are being carried out within the campus with regards to saving the environment and then after an informative and also entertaining session(thanks to Fr.’s quick wit) Fr. led the brothers around the campus to see for real all the work being carried out there. The amount of hard work and creativity that manifest itself around the campus is amazing and the catchphrases of Fr. Xavier viz. “kachre mein Paisa hai!” and “No one is hopeless and nothing is useless” etched itself in the minds of the brothers.

 

In the evening the brothers were led into a wonderful moment of prayer using Taize chants by Dn. Charles. Later Fr. Xavier gave the goodnight to the brothers once again exhorting them to think big and not get limited to petty issues like grumbling etc. in our daily lives. A lovely barbeque followed where the brothers also got an opportunity to put their cooking skills to the test.

 

October 28, the last day of the picnic began early morning with the brothers being led up the mountain for a meditation cum walk. Then the celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed and after breakfast the brothers met once again for an input session by Fr. Xavier this time on the technical work being carried out. The brothers were again exceedingly impressed by the facilities being offered, again to the poorest of the poor, and also by the values of self-governance that is employed to empower the boys and to give them a taste of true responsibility. Again after the session Fr. guided the brothers around the workshops where they got to see how many of Fr.’s ideas have taken on real shape. Then after an early lunch the brothers were led to the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima where they got to spend a moment in prayer and then resumed their journey back home.

 

All in all the entire picnic was a very enriching experience and the brothers were really edified by all the work being carried out in these various houses and also with creativity and dedication of the Fr.’s towards their missions. What was also very pleasing was the warm hospitality that the bro.’s received in all the houses which has really helped to make this entire picnic a really memorable one and also filled the brothers with the zeal to look at how they themselves can imitate their hardworking confreres in their own little ways.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BOSCO BIS INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI

Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
Email: bis@donboscomumbai.org

Website: www.donboscomumbai.org

News Blog: http://bismumbai.blogspot.com

 

 

 

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BIS #3200 FAMILIES ARE LIKE FUDGE - MOSTLY SWEET WITH A FEW NUTS

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3200

FAMILIES ARE LIKE FUDGE – MOSTLY SWEET WITH A FEW NUTS

Leela Mathias

 

NORTHERN ARABIAN VICARIATE, OCTOBER 30, 2012 :  On Sunday, 28 October 2012, the Family Cell of St. Therese in the Northern Arabian Vicariate organized a half-day renewal programme for married couples. Thirty two couples along with their children attended the program.

 

The day commenced with the parish priest situating the various sessions against the backdrop of the teaching of Christ on marriage. When questioned on divorce, Jesus turned the clock back to Genesis and reaffirmed that a husband and wife are no longer two but ONE flesh.

 

After a brief introduction, Fr. Joy conducted a session on ‘we are Different – yet One.’ The group viewed a video clip – a short family story which depicted the different characters in a joint family. They were so different from each other and yet they were bonded as ONE family.  What kept them together was prayer.  Fr. Joy emphasized that a family needs to be rooted in God to stay together.

 

Next, Fr. Blany Pinto took a session on Interpersonal Communication and listening skills.  Participants were enlightened on different aspects of communication and the numerous barriers which lead to a breakdown in communication. Later, he highlighted the importance of Listening skills, while alluding to Christ who transformed people through his compassionate listening. He insisted that one needs to listen not just to the words but also to the feelings of the other in order to understand the other.

 

This was followed by a session on Anger Management.  The resource person explained that there is always a ‘cause’ that leads to anger.  Addressing the cause of the anger and dealing with it helps one to overcome frustration. The couples were then invited to share their experience of anger with each other and identify the causes. They were reminded to employ the communication and listening skills as they shared their experiences on anger.

 

No session is truly effective unless it is followed by a few lines of action. Mr. Sonu George encouraged the couples to prepare a personal and a family action statement with a view to strengthen the family bond and to help them grow spiritually.

 

The highlight of the day was the Holy Mass. During the offertory, the couples were invited to offer their personal and their family action plan to Jesus and invoke his blessings on the family. After the Holy Mass, the action plan was returned back to the couples as they received blessings from the main celebrant.

 

The parish priest concluded the day by reminding all present that : Family is like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.

 

 

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BOSCO BIS INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI

Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
Email: bis@donboscomumbai.org

Website: www.donboscomumbai.org

News Blog: http://bismumbai.blogspot.com

 

 

 

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BIS #3199 A HEALTHY MIND IN A HEALTHY BODY

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3199

 

A HEALTHY MIND IN A HEALTHY BODY

Mrs. Nimarta Sandhu

 

NAVI-MUMBAI, OCTOBER 30, 2012 : Dominic Savio Kindergarten , Nerul organized the Annual sports Meet for classes Pre-Nursery and Playgroup on Friday October 26,  2012 at the school ground.

 

The aim of the event was to inculcate a spirit of healthy competition and team work.

The programme started at 4.00 pm with the arrival of the chief guest Mrs. Shipra Shrivastava.

 

After the school Anthem the chief guest declared the meet open. The toddlers of Pre Nursery looked cute in the Ants costume as they marched to the tune of “Ants go marching one by one”.

 

Children of Playgroup A and B presented a display on the tune “The Wheels of the bus” . They displayed the interesting sights and sounds of the bus.

 

Playgroup C and D performed to the tune of “If I were a butterfly”.  Children dressed up as Robins , Butterflies, Elephants and many more. The message was Beauty of God’s creation. The synchronized movements of the toddlers captured the hearts of the parents.

 

The formation display was followed by competitive events for both Pre-Nursery and Playgroup. Children took part in the races with great enthusiasm.

 

The parents cheered the participants with even greater enthusiasm .

 

The winners were given medals and certificates by the chief guest in a victory ceremony. The children were treated with healthy snacks at the end of the programme.

 

 

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BOSCO BIS INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI

Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
Email: bis@donboscomumbai.org

Website: www.donboscomumbai.org

News Blog: http://bismumbai.blogspot.com

 

 

 

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BIS #3198 WADALA HAS A HEART FOR THE MISSIONS

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3198

WADALA HAS A HEART FOR THE MISSIONS

SDB Correspondent

WADALA-MUMBAI, OCTOBER 27, 2012 :  The Parishioners of Our Lady of Dolours Wadala, rallied round the Cultural Cell, the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Team to make our Mission Sunday celebrations an event to remember.

 

This year the proceeds of the celebrations would go to the Salesian Mission station of Dakor, Gujarat, in their efforts to build up their Church. Fr. Alex Fernandes sdb, spoke to us at all the masses on Saturday and Sunday and impressed on us the necessity to have a good church in this Hindu pilgrimage town, that sees lakhs of pilgrims come in throughout the year. 

 

Envelopes were distributed the previous Sunday and collected this Sunday. Besides, after the mass the Cultural Cell of the parish organised a mini fun-fair in aid of the missions. The Youth and the Confirmation group successfully organised the games at the event, while the volunteers along with the cultural cell saw to the cafeteria, selling of coupons, prize stalls, the Sound system complete with the D.J.

 

The various communities and individuals contributed a tremendous variety of food articles ranging from sorpatel, vindaloo  and fugees to sandwiches and croques, cutlets and roast meat, kheema pav and fish,  and a variety of chocolates and cold drinks. The volunteers at the cafeteria were kept busy receiving the offerings from individuals and communities till late in the morning.

 

The sale of all these items and the participation in the games and lucky dip were indeed noteworthy. The crowning part of the morning was the crowning of the “Dakor King” and “Dakor Queen”. Our chief guest was Fr. Alex Fernandes and he stayed through the morning, participating in all the activities on offer. Our sincere thanks to the organizers and the communities/individuals who made this morning memorable indeed.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BOSCO BIS INFORMATION SERVICE (BIS) MUMBAI

Don Bosco Provincial House,
Matunga, Mumbai - 400 019. INDIA
Email: bis@donboscomumbai.org

Website: www.donboscomumbai.org

News Blog: http://bismumbai.blogspot.com

 

 

 

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