BIS # 3502 AWAKENING THE DREAMER, CHANGING THE DREAM

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3502

AWAKENING THE DREAMER, CHANGING THE DREAM

 

By: BIS Correspondent

 

NERUL-NAVIMUMBAI, APRIL 30, 2013: The seminar was held on April 30, 2013 in the Audio visual room in Don Bosco Senior Secondary School, Nerul. It was conducted by Mrs Orla, Fr. Anthony Dias and Fr. Cleophas Braganza.

 

The seminar began with an introduction given by our Principal Fr. Anthony Fonseca.

 

Mrs Orla began the seminar with an introduction of the Pachmama Alliance story which was related to the tribal people of South America.

 

It was basically a seminar to create an ecological consciousness among us and how we could implement it in our curriculum. The four important questions which were further highlighted and explained were:

 

1) Where are we?

 

2) How did we get here?

 

3) What's possible for the future?

 

4) Where do we go from here?

 

These questions were explained through videos and power points on the issues of Globalization and Extinction.

 

The group discussions and brainstorming sessions conducted by Fr. Anthony Dias and Fr. Cleophas Braganza added an extra punch to the seminar. We discussed how we could integrate ecological values in our day to day teaching.

 

The seminar ended with an inspirational video 'Lead India'.

 

"WE BELONG TO ONE UNIVERSE AND WE NEED TO PROMOTE A NEED BASED ECONOMY RATHER THAN A DESIRED BASED ECONOMY."

 

                

 

 

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BIS # 3501 SUMMER CREATIVE WORKSHOPS VALEDICTORY PROGRAMME

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3501

SUMMER CREATIVE WORKSHOPS VALEDICTORY PROGRAMME

 

By: BIS Correspondent

 

BORIVLI-MUMBAI, APRIL 30, 2013:  On April 30, 2013, The 'Summer Creative Workshops Valedictory Programme' started with a prayer by Rev. Fr. Allwyn Misquitta.

 

Fr. George Carlos welcomed the students from fifteen different schools. The event was held in the school hall. The students from the Speech and Drama group enacted a skit, followed by a dance performance by the dance group.

 

The Malkhamb and Gymnastics students displayed their talents well, followed by a performance of the well-trained Roller skating students.

 

A few students then entertained the audience with their soft music on the keyboard.

 

Participation certificates were awarded to all the participants by Fr. Principal and the respective coaches.

 

                

 

 

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BIS # 3500 CREATIVITY AT DON BOSCO, NERUL

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3500

CREATIVITY AT DON BOSCO, NERUL

 

By: BIS Correspondent

 

NERUL-NAVIMUMBAI, APRIL 30, 2013: Creative day was held on Saturday April 27, 2013 between 8:15 am to 12:00 pm at Don Bosco Senior Secondary School, Nerul. There were four groups (Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D.

 

Group A and B were busy creating Party Caps, Aquatic World with Paper Plates, Eye Mask, Painting on the Theme Go Green, Care for my Pet, and A Day at the Zoo.

 

Group C and D were seen enthusiastically competing in various events like Poster Painting, M-Seal Insects, Flower Making, Tooth Pick Structures, Salted Biscuit Toppings and Designer CD Etc…

 

Many students from different groups took part in the Contest. The entire campus was abuzz with creativity.

 

There were separate venues for all the events. Seven judges were invited to judge the competition.

 

On the whole, it was a good and a well-organized competition. We wish to thank Teacher Kiran and Teacher Monali our Art Teachers for organizing and executing the entire creative day event.

 

 

 

 

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BIS # 3499 DON BOSCO BALPRAFULTA ANNUAL DAY

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3499

DON BOSCO BALPRAFULTA ANNUAL DAY

 

By: BIS Correspondent

 

ANDHERI-MUMBAI, APRIL 29, 2013:  April 20, 2013 was a special day in Don Bosco Balprafulta as it was ' Annual Thanksgiving day'.  Several NGO's represented by their staff and a few stake holders, who assist Don Bosco Balprafulta whilst working on Child Rights participated.

 

The Annual Day began with the welcome address given by the Rector of Dominic Savio. Rev. Father. Godfrey D'souza, who welcomed the gathering and appreciated the efforts put in by the team members. The day's Programme was well synchronized with a mix of children's dance and skit performances based on the theme of Street children which gave much food for thought.

 

The program next in line was the annual report presentation which traced the various activities taken up by the organization; next was a short movie presentation made by the staff of Don Bosco Balprafulta, on the Theme of the Annual Day " Street Child whose responsibility?"   This was followed by The Chief Guest Sir. D. Tripathi, Secretary of Maharashtra State commission for protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) a Gandhian who spoke elaborately on the growing phenomenon of slum   children on streets and a Gandhian philosophical approach for addressing the problem.

 

To highlight the annual Day; was a public debate on the current trends and challenges and way ahead of street children.  This was preceded by Don Bosco Research Centre presenting the major findings of the Rapid Assessment Study (RAS) in Mumbai, study on home placement and study on drug addiction in collaboration with National Commission of Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

 

Important trends such as slum spill over to the streets, prevalence patterns and measures recommendations in each of these studies were highlighted. The program continued with a panel discussion; the panellists comprised of –

Mrs Mrinalini Kher Hon. Secretary and Trustee of Kherwadi Social Welfare Association and co-founder of Yuva Parivartan spoke about Changing Face of Street Children in Mumbai.

Ms. Sunita Mhaiskar Assistant Labour Commissioner – Mumbai and Head of Child Labour Cell spoke on Prevalence of Child Labour among street children. 

Dr. Sunita Shanbag Head of PSM Department – KEM Hospital spoke about the Health and Psycho-social Trauma of Street Children.

Dr. Deepa Bhanushali Administrative Officer Education Department - M-Ward spoke about Street children and their educational challenges.

 

The debate had an interesting insights and presentation. The audience was well animated and raised many important questions which were well ably handled by the panelists. In conclusion the Chairperson of the debate Rev. Fr. Barnabe D'Souza in his conclusion remarked mentioned that the responsibility to advocate for Child rights with regard to street child lies in the hands of each individual rather than the Govt. or society   The programme was concluded with the Vote of Thanks given by Sr. Jacinta the Asst. Director of Don Bosco Balprafulta. The programme came to a close with a sumptuous tea and snacks.

 

                

 

 

 

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BIS # 3498 BISHOP LOURDES DANIEL BAPTIZES AND CONFIRMS BHINGARITES

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3498

BISHOP LOURDES DANIEL BAPTIZES AND CONFIRMS BHINGARITES

 

By: Bento D'Souza

 

BHINGAR-AHMEDNAGAR, APRIL 29, 2013:  A week long training in catechism was held to prepare one hundred and ten children for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and confirmation, from April 22 to 27, 2013 at St John Baptist Church, Bhingar camp.

 

The bishop of Nasik Diocese, Lourdes Daniel baptized one baby Aaron and administered the sacrament of confirmation to seventy seven children from urban and villages around Bhingar during the 8 o'clock Marathi mass on April 28, 2013.

 

Fifty seven children received Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion during the mass. Two days earlier thirty children had received baptism and eight marriages were rectified.   The service had baptism, confirmation and First Holy Communion spread during the Mass and ended with satkar of the Bishop, Catechisms teachers, women helpers. Certificates were given to those who received the various sacraments.

 

For the whole week the entire parish rallied around the village children at the camp making this a truly participatory experience showing the power of the common priesthood in the development and service of charity.

 

The youth group sang with full zest at Mass. The entire parish was caught up in a moment of a sacramental "wow and euphoria". The children were energized with the new encounter of Jesus in their teen lives. The parents were relieved to see their children grow up properly as Christians.

 

The Salesian Priests and elders of the community were happy to see their young parishioners-future of society and church- grow up into practicing and literate Catholics. The Bishop was happy to see that we had given sacraments to clear up the backlog and the parish flourishing in faith and full participation.

 

 

 

 

 

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BIS # 3497 MATUNGA ALUMNI SERVE LUNCH TO SHELTER DON BOSCO

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3497

MATUNGA ALUMNI SERVE LUNCH TO SHELTER DON BOSCO

 

By: By: Mr Kailash B. Parekh (Secretary)

 

MATUNGA-MUMBAI, APRIL 29, 2013:  April 19, 2013, being the auspicious day of Ram Navmi and the last day of Chaitra Navratri, the Matunga Alumni Unit decided to feed the under privileged children at the Shelter Don Bosco, Wadala with the real liquid Gold –Aamras (Mango Juice).  The cause of the youngsters who stay in this caring institution are always at the heart of our members.

 

An entire spread of lunch consisting of Aamras-Puri, party samosas, vegetable, dal and rice was specially cooked at home with love and affection by the family members of Mr Popat and Mr Chandan.  The ladies and children of these families along with the office bearers of the Alumni personally served the children and the support staff members of the shelter.

 

The children relished the Aamras to their heart's content.  Once again the donors experienced that there is more joy in giving than receiving.  The Alumni thanked Almighty Lord for giving them the vision and the direction for taking up this noble cause.

 

The 1998 batch of Past Pupils came forward to distribute chocolates as desert.

 

 

 

 

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=?utf-8?Q?BIS_#_3496 __DOMESTIC_HELPERS_IN?= THE ‘GARDEN OF EDEN’

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3496

DOMESTIC HELPERS IN THE 'GARDEN OF EDEN'

 

By: Curie Colaco

 

NORTHERN ARABIAN VICARIATE APRIL 29, 2013:  On Friday, April 26, 2013, the Salmiya Parish Youth (SPY), under the able guidance of Fr. Lionel Braganza, organized a Domestic Helpers day programme for men and women at Don Bosco School.

 

The theme selected for the occasion was 'Garden of Eden'. The youth decorated the premises beautifully with trees, vines, date palms and an assortment of fruits and handmade flowers to simulate their idea of what the Garden of Eden could have been.

 

Around one hundred and sixty eight Domestic Helpers arrived at the school with cheerful expressions. They filled up the seats eagerly waiting for the programme to begin. The function was preceded by Mass, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Lionel Braganza, who welcomed all the helpers and thanked them for being present to enjoy the evening with the youth. The readings were done by the domestic helpers while the SPY members in the choir animated the mass with their melodious voices.

 

To get things started, SPY volunteers rallied the helpers into a circle and danced with them to some well-known party music like 'The Birdie Dance', after which they were made to do action songs. Energized by the songs, the people were led to do the IPL dance which they performed with much gusto. The emcees awarded spot prizes to the enthusiastic domestic helpers.

 

'Crossing the River Jordan', a game, was held after the spot prizes which had all the domestic helpers scurrying around the volunteers. The tension in the atmosphere was palpable as the last few contestants battled for the prize. After the exhilarating game, the domestic helpers were given a moment's time to catch their breath.

 

The assembly of domestic helpers was then divided into seven groups to facilitate the group discussion on the topic of 'Seven Deadly Sins'. Volunteers were assigned to each group and were made to pick up slips of paper on which a deadly sin was written.

 

Each group was given a period of fifteen minutes to prepare a short skit and then present the skit. What followed was a series of vivaciously enacted performances, which received thunderous applause. The lively skits brought out a feeling of kinship and fondness among the domestic helpers.

 

Lunch was served and this was followed by a few more spot prize distributions. After the sumptuous meal, everyone gathered for a game of Housie, and the entire assembly danced together for the final Jam session. All in all, the event left the domestic helpers with new friends, memories and an experience befitting the Garden of Eden.

 

As they left, they profusely thanked the priests and youth for organizing a fun-filled day.

 

                

 

 

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=?utf-8?Q?BIS_#_3495 __EMPOWERING_CHILDREN?= THROUGH CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3495

EMPOWERING CHILDREN THROUGH CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT

 

By: BIS Correspondent

 

AHMEDNAGAR-MAHARASHTRA, APRIL 27, 2013: Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, Ahmednagar ventures out into new avenues. This time the focus group is children below the age of eighteen years. The staff and community are working on setting up Children's parliament in about thirty villages.

 

Children's Parliament gives a chance to speak for the children, by the children and of the children.  It serves as a platform for the children to develop leadership skills, confidence, team spirit, analytical skills and maturity.

 

This is none other than an organisation/movement for children. Children's Parliament work towards establishing a casteless, secular, egalitarian and non-violent society at the neighbourhood to global levels.

 

The initial process required choosing a village and in that village electing their ministers by following Sociocracy election method.  According to the needs of that village, the different ministers are elected starting with Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Home Minister, Education Minister, Sports Minister, Speaker and Health Minister.

 

They function at different levels. Representatives from different levels federate to form a network. Thus, a Structure is formed to operate from below for the children to participate meaningfully and adequately in issues that affect them.

 

They collectively analyse local problems with a global perspective and evolve solutions. They execute their actions with the help and guidance of adult members of their communities. They also continuously involve in monitoring and evaluation of their own activities. In this way, children continue to involve in addressing their problems and the problems of their village.

 

In order to help children function better, a two day training camp on various leadership skills, capacity building and personal growth is being held in BGVK itself. The children come together for the parliament session.  There they discuss the problems and issues that affect them as well as their village. The children are made conscious of their rights and responsibilities as children.  Their ambition is to grow to become good citizens of India and to fight against Violation of Children's Right.

 

                

 

 

 

 

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BIS # 3494 ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3494

ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE

 

By: Fr. Vivian D'Souza sdb

 

WADALA-MUMBAI, APRIL 25, 2013: We are all aware of the fact that the State of Maharashtra is going through a difficult period of drought in some areas of the state, and the situation in these regions, especially as regards to the ordinary and essential drinking water is indeed grave.

 

An SOS phone call from Br. Ramesh Durairaj, from our Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, Ahmednagar, to conduct a 'Drinking Water Drive" for the parched areas of  Ahmednagar found resonance in the heart of our Parish Priest, Fr. Godfrey D'Sa, who launched out campaign to collect bottles of drinking water to be sent to Ahmednagar.

 

His passionate plea for this cause went out to parishes and institutions from Borivli and beyond to South Mumbai. The campaign was taken up by some of our daily newspapers and the FM radio and bottles of drinking water kept pouring in small and big vehicles.

 

Finally we had to call a halt to the campaign as we had more than a huge truck and a tempo full of drinking water bottles that we sent with our wishes and prayers to the BGVK centre.

 

The people of Mumbai are indeed generous and willing to respond to a cause, at short notice and through word of mouth.  Our Special Thanks to the confreres and boys of Shelter Don Bosco, who helped out with the loading and unloading of the bottles and to the several parishioners and friends who helped out in this drive for a worthy cause.

 

                

 

 

 

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BIS # 3493 WADALA CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING DAY

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3493

 

WADALA CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING DAY

 

By: Fr. Vivian D'Souza sdb

 

WADALA-MUMBAI, APRIL 25, 2013:  The Parish of Our Lady of Dolours, Wadala, celebrated their Annual Thanksgiving Day on Saturday  April 13, 2013. This is an annual feature which began last year.

If the parish is vibrant and alive, with so many formation programs and activities, it is because of the creativity and generosity of our Religious and Lay leaders in the parish. 'Many hands make light work' and that has been the slogan taken up and carried out through all the initiatives and programs during this scholastic year.

 

Hence the Parish Team felt the need of recognizing and celebrating our common effort to reach out to each family and individual in the parish through the various initiatives carried out in the spiritual, social, cultural, economic and educational fields.

 

This Thanksgiving Day was our way of saying thanks to the many individuals and groups that helped to build the parish. We had the Thanksgiving Mass at 7.00pm followed by a Family celebration and Dinner.

 

The Cultural Cell took up the responsibility of preparing the invites and sending them out to the various communities and the Youth kept us on our toes with the games, the grand march and the dance sessions organized for us.

 

Our Parish Priest, Fr. Godfrey D'Sa, enumerated the different groups of parishioners and thanked them for their availability and service to build the parish. He also spoke of the sad departure of Fr. Sanjay from the parish and asked us to pray for his good health and his future mission in life.

 

We were treated to some delicious snacks and dinner, catered by one of our parishioners. It was indeed a good and enjoyable evening for those who joined us to celebrate the evening of thanks!

 

                

 

 

 

 

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