Mumbai: Salesian Communications delegates from all over India attending Don Bosco Communications South Asia meeting studied “Social Media and Salesian Youth Ministry.”
It was their annual study day, to be followed by general body meeting in the coming three days. The meeting held at Don Bosco Provincial House Matunga, Mumbai will conclude on 18th October.
Some 50 delegates from 11 Salesian provinces of India as well as a delegation of four Salesian Sisters are participating.
Special invitees at the gathering include president of Signis Western Region Jesuit Fr Ashok Vaghela.
First day started off with the study on the topic: “Social Media and Salesian Youth Ministry” by six presentations and the release of two books: “Press and Social Responsibility” by the Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference Office of Social Communications Office and Church’s Communications Institute NISCORT, Salesian Father Dr George Plathottam, and a value education book by senior Salesian Fr Elias Dias entitled “Petals and Pebbles.”
The day concluded with the prayer session during which the assembly prayed for religious workers and screened “A Homage to CRI India” curtain raiser film made for the Conference of Religious in India golden jubilee celebrations to be held at Guwahati, 7-9 November. A half hour feature film LAURA by Bangalore province was screened after dinner.
Second day is dedicated to taking stock of the media activities in the various provinces and planning for the preparations for Don Bosco’s birth centenary due in 2015. Also planned is the launch of Don Bosco YouTube Channel which will carry short films produced by various Don Bosco media centres.
First day meeting (Tuesday) started with the solemn Eucharistic celebration at the crypt chapel of Don Bosco’s Madonna shrine at Matunga presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes of Mumbai along with General Councilor for Social Communications Fr Filiberto Gonzalez from Rome. Also present was Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia representative provincial of Kolkata Fr Thomas Ellicherayil.
Mr Conrad Saldhana principal advisor to Don Bosco Centre for Learning, Kurla Mumbai gave the keynote address on the theme under study: “Social Media and Salesian Youth ministry.”
It was followed by another talk “Social Media: Challenges and Opportunities in Publishing” by Mr Yogesh Sahu, General Manager NE Mobile.
After lunch session had “Viral Marketing and Advertising, Strategies for Social Networks for Youth” by Nishad Ramachandran, Vice President, Hansa Cequity.
Media education practitioner Salesian Sr Phyllis Fernandes FMA, past President of Signis Western Region presented the FMA success story on “Media and Education” as syllabus for EduCommunication which is currently in place for classes 1 to 12 with 10 lessons plans for each class in Media Education. It is being implemented since 2012 in the FMA provinces in India.
Dr George Plathottam SDB, Secretary OSC-CBCI and Director of NISCORT, New Delhi presented “New Initiatives by the Church in India.” for Communication on Pastoral Leadership.
The daylong sessions concluded with “Social Media Secrets in Catholic Youth Ministry – 21st Century Catholicism” by Fr Ralin DeSouza SDB, director of BOSKON, Communications, Goa.
FMA INC News Update 
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