BIS # 3664 TO LORD GANESHA WITH LOVE - GOING GREEN

by Ms. Sunita D'Souza 

WADALA-MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 2, 2013: It's that time of the year again when streets, shops, homes and offices are decked up and prepared for the installation of the idols of Lord Ganesha. St. Joseph's High School has also begun preparing the students for the festival – the Green Ganesha way. On the 30th of August, 2013, ten students from very class from Std. I - X assembled in the school hall for the 'Green Ganesha Workshop'. An eco-friendly organisation - Vidyamargam, demonstrated and helped the students in the preparation of Lord Ganesha idols that were eco-friendly, adorable and creative.

Ms. Ashwini from Vidyamargam addressed the students and stressed the importance of using eco-friendly material in the preparations of the idols of Lord Ganesha. Her team members conducted a presentation that outlined the harm caused by idols made with materials such as Plaster of Paris, etc. at the time of immersion. During the discussion there was an active participation from the students with amazing responses aimed at creating an eco-friendly atmosphere around the time of the season of Ganesh Chaturthi.

The students, divided into ten groups in order of their classes, were provided with clay by the members of Vidyamargam.  The ten instructors of Vidyamargam distributed themselves in each of these groups to personally instruct and assist the members of the group. It was indeed an efficient and effective arrangement since there was individual guidance and encouragement. To express their love and gratitude to Lord Ganesha for being with us, some students melodiously and joyously sang the 'Aarthi Prayer' – a prayer of praise and thanks to Lord Ganesha.  Another group of students joined in singing the song 'Bholenath'.

The Greenline team members, Mr. Aristo and Ms. Jessica, were in attendance. They marvelled at the eco-friendly idols of Lord Ganesha intricately and artistically designed by the students. Besides capturing the snapshots on their cameras, they were assigned the difficult task of selecting the best five designed idols from each of the two sections – the Primary and the Secondary.  They announced the results at the end of the workshop Fr. Bernard Fernandes (Principal), Ms. Nicole Britto, the Headmistress, and Mrs. Matilda Fernandes, the Primary Head teacher interacted with students moulding the idols in their own distinctive style and their own 'vision' of Lord Ganesha.

The workshop ended with a prayer. Fr. Bernard thanked the entire team of Vidyamargam, in particular the coordinator, Ms. Sunanda  Nevase, for their guidance and assistance. He also thanked the Greenline team members for their presence and assistance in all the greening activities.

Ganpati Bappa Moorya!

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BIS # 3662 BCY-CAREER GUIDANCE WORKSHOP

by Bento D'Souza

BHINGAR-AHMEDNAGAR, SEPTEMBER 2, 2013: On 29th August 2013, thirty youth, the office bearers of the Satellite Youth project, leaders, secretaries and treasurers of the various zones met at St John Baptist Church, Bhingar for a training session and a workshop to help them articulate their aspirations and career goals. Planning and choosing a career path for themselves, is what the two hour workshop aimed at.

At the very onset of the workshop the participants were asked to prepare posters in groups on their target ten years from today.  Fr. Nelson animated the session and the Pastoral youth animation team members, (PYAT) Solomon Gaikwad and Shyam Pol assisted the youth in the preparation of the charts and gave them useful tips to present their views before the group of elders, parish council members and others.

This planning exercise helped the elders as well as the Salesians understand what the youth want for themselves in their future. This way they could facilitate the direction of the journeys of the youth, help them focus on goals and also help remove obstacles along the way.

This was the first Basic Christian Youth event of the year, the ball is now setting rolling for other events to follow. This is the beginning of the Salesian Youth Movement in the Bhingar Parish.

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BIS # 3663 OATH TAKING CEREMONY

by Fr. Bento D'Souza 

BHINGAR-AHMEDNAGAR, SEPTEMBER 2, 2013: On 31st August, 2013.  Fr. Michael Fernandes, the Salesian Provincial and Fr Ajoy Fernandes, the Vice Provincial who were on their regular Provincial team visit at St John the Baptist Church, Bhingar attended a unique program. They were honoured with a satkar and a phetta, which crowned their foreheads. They were also presented with a shreephal and shawl in the church.

After the satkar, the young members of the newly formed group of the Basic Christian Youth (BCY) took an oath of commitment to abstain from all forms of bad habits, focus on their aspirated goals in life and achieve success in what they set their minds on. Mr. Solomon Gaikwad, of the Pastoral Youth Animation team (PYAT) compered the event.

The youth listened in attention to the words of advice from the Provincial covering many issues that the youth should care for. Mr. Mark Anthony entertained the group with his melodious violin. Fr Nelson Falcao, the parish priest, gave a vote of thanks. The event ended with a prayer and a renewed vision of the enthusiastic youth eager to build a better future for themselves and their environment.

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BIS # 3662 BCY-CAREER GUIDANCE WORKSHOP

by Bento D'Souza

BHINGAR-AHMEDNAGAR, SEPTEMBER 2, 2013: On 29th August 2013, thirty youth, the office bearers of the Satellite Youth project, leaders, secretaries and treasurers of the various zones met at St John Baptist Church, Bhingar for a training session and a workshop to help them articulate their aspirations and career goals. Planning and choosing a career path for themselves, is what the two hour workshop aimed at.

At the very onset of the workshop the participants were asked to prepare posters in groups on their target ten years from today.  Fr. Nelson animated the session and the Pastoral youth animation team members, (PYAT) Solomon Gaikwad and Shyam Pol assisted the youth in the preparation of the charts and gave them useful tips to present their views before the group of elders, parish council members and others.

This planning exercise helped the elders as well as the Salesians understand what the youth want for themselves in their future. This way they could facilitate the direction of the journeys of the youth, help them focus on goals and also help remove obstacles along the way.

This was the first Basic Christian Youth event of the year, the ball is now setting rolling for other events to follow. This is the beginning of the Salesian Youth Movement in the Bhingar Parish.

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BIS # 3661 JAI VIDNYAN

by BIS correspondent 

BORIVALI-MUMBAI, AUGUST 30, 2013: Science… Oh how vividly it paints human life! Oh how wonderfully it slakes curiosity's thirst!

Science is thus an integral part of our existence. It explains everything from how we are born to why our Universe is what it is today. A scientific temperament is therefore a must to survive in today's world. A Science Club in a school is an ideal platform to inculcate this virtue and foster a spirit of enquiry. Don Bosco High School – Borivali, inaugurated its Science Club on the 30th of August 2013.

It was a beginning on a truly positive note. The traditional lamp was lit to invoke God's blessings. The dignitaries' present- Fr. Rector, Fr. Administrator and Miss Chausheela Pujare were given saplings as a token of life and beauty. Fr. Rector delivered an insightful address about Man's relation with Science. A skit showed how a sound scientific temperament can eradicate blind beliefs. The members of the Science Club were introduced to all present.

The establishment of the science club was possible only because of the untiring efforts of Miss Diana and Miss Venessa, who are the guiding lights of the Club.

After the program, the first activity of the Science Club commenced. It was a game of scientific dumb charades, wherein an unlabelled diagram was drawn and the students had to try and guess the terms. There was tremendous competition between the Isaac Newton's, the Thomson's, the Robert Hooke's and the Edwin Aldrins. The Aldrins emerged winners. Finally Fr. Baptist – our Administrator along with the students planted a sapling.

JAI VIDNYAN!

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BIS # 3659 A GLORIOUS GOVINDA DAY FOR DON BOSCO LONAVLA

by BIS correspondent 

LONAVLA- MAHARASHTRA, AUGUST 30, 2013:  What was meant to be a regular exhibition of the traditional 'Pot-breaking practice' on the eve of Gokulashtami turned out to be a day of glory for eighteen students of Std. VIII of Don Bosco Lonavla. The Kaivalyadham Vidyaniketan School - Lonavla organised an Inter school Dahi-handi Competition on their grounds on 29th August 2013. The two participating teams were from the hosting school and Don Bosco Lonavla respectively. The event began with the felicitation of the Chief Guest Mr. Kadu, BJP leader and social worker and Ms. Bhosale, the Principal of Kaivalyadham Vidyaniketan.

A short presentation on the origins of the feast of Janmashtami and the life of Lord Krishna followed the felicitation. The team from Don Bosco Lonavla was supposed to break the pot first after lots were drawn in their favour. The rules of the competition were explained to the participating teams. According to the rules each team would get 3 chances to break the pot. Each team had to make the pyramid formation and every attempt had a maximum time limit of 6 minutes. Before breaking the pot, both the teams had to do the customary salute in the pyramid formation. This practice of making the salute itself boosted the confidence of the participating teams.

When the Don Bosco team, under the guidance of their coach, Saurabh Khillare, began their first attempt, the pot, hanging 12 feet high seemed out of reach and the continuous splashing of water also took a toll on the human pyramid. The team from Kaivalyadham was the next to make an attempt but also failed in reaching the pot. In their second attempt, Don Bosco School changed strategy and replaced their 'Govinda' to Ashish Jadhav. Ashish reached the pot but found the pot too tough to be broken with bare hands. This was followed by another unsuccessful attempt by Kaivalyadham. In their third attempt, the Don Bosco team was provided with a baton to break the pot, the Govinda of the Don Bosco team courageously leapt to reach the pot when he realised the pyramid was crumbling. Although he did not break the pot, his courage and the spirit of the team had already won the hearts of the judges and they were declared the winners of the Dahi-Handi competition. Since the pot had to be broken, it was lowered for the runners-up team, who was also exhausted but completed the pyramid and broke the pot ceremoniously.

At the end of the event, the Principal of Kaivalyadham Vidyaniketan was all praise for the courage and showmanship of the participating teams. The students of Don Bosco team were elated with the exultation and praise they received and were eager to show a better performance next year.

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BIS # 3660 THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETS AT LONAVLA

by Bis Correspondent 

WADALA-MUMBAI, AUGUST 30, 2013: The Parish Pastoral Council of Our Lady of Dolours Church took time off to do some serious assessment and planning for the year 2013-2014, amidst the beauty and freshness of Lonavla. 29 Council members together with the Parish Team camped at Don Bosco, Lonavla from the morning of the 24th till after lunch the next day.

The camp began with an input session on the need and value of "Self Help Groups" in building up stable and economically viable groups in the communities (SCC). The three sessions were ably animated by Mr. Royal D'Souza from Don Bosco Institute - Kurla. The group unanimously took a decision to begin at least 30 self-help groups in the various areas of the parish. They also came to a conclusion that a core team will study and execute the project.

The next task in hand was to plan to mobilize as many parishioners as possible in 'Community Service", through the "Ten is Mine Project", a brainchild of Fr. Godfrey, the Parish Priest and the inspiration of Bishop Bosco Penha. An impassioned plea was made to encourage each family in the parish to devote at least ten hours a month to help build up the Community (SCC) and the Parish community through this Community Service Project. A brainstorming brought forth many valued suggestions and endeavours that could be worked out for the betterment of the parish. A committee was to be formed to take this project forward which would be inaugurated on September 15, 2013 the parish feast. Other issues like the Sunday collections, Church support, data collection with regards to details of the members of families in the Parish was also taken up.

The Bombay Catholic Sabha enlightened the group on the various Government schemes available for the Minorities, Senior Citizens, Widows and the Rajiv Gandhi health scheme for those holding the yellow and orange ration cards. The PPC then held their monthly meeting to review the programs of the previous month and plan for the coming months.

The cultural wing of the Council prepared a few party games that got the group on their feet for the get-together after dinner. The evening adoration and a festive mass took care of the spiritual part of the program.

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