Archive | December 2018

Annual NDF Meet

Dec22

Annual National Development Forum Meet was held at Auxilium Reach out Guwahati from 17 -19 December 2018.  On 15th, a warm welcome was extended to the participants of  NDF. In the evening the Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Joseph Xavier SJ. During homily he invited the participants to live the present joyfully and not to waist life in waiting for the life to come.

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On the first day Kolkata province animated the Liturgy. On the onset of the meeting the hosting province symbolically welcomed the participants as per the Assamees culture. During inaugural session the lighting of the lamp and invoking God’s presence lead the participants to surrender the event in the hand of God and be open to his inspiration. Sr. Annie the directress of Auxilium reach out centre and the social development coordinator of ING gave official welcome on behalf of the province. In her inaugural message the chief guest Ms. Ishanu Shah the deputy commissioner for labour of Assam emphasized the importance of education for social change and nation building. She appreciated the formal and non formal educations imparted by Salesian sisters. Second resource person was Ms. Ananya Goswami the child line member of Assam. Being the past pupil of St. Mary’s School Guwahati she appreciated a lot the value based education imparted by Salesian sisters and all that are being done for the upliftment of the poor and marginalized.

Sr. Alphonsa Kurisingal the provincial of Guwahati province appreciated the noble works being carried out by the social development sector in order to bring smile in the faces of poor and marginalized. She challenged the participants to stand alone and do something different, because it is easy to move with the crowd which may be a hindrance in achieving the goal. During first session Sr. Manisha fma from Mumbai province enlightened the gathering through her presentation and explained the types of education. The next session was group work and discussion based on building education strategy guided by Fr. Joseph Xavier the consultant of NDF.

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On second day during the first session there was the review on the Child Protection Policy and drawn some conclusion for its amendments. Fr. Joseph Xavier explained the implication of last year’s report and how it should be focused to present to the outsiders. The annual report presentation by NDF, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata provinces made the group to understand the various activities carried out by social ministry in the different provinces. Fr. Joseph through his able guidance commented on the reports and gave guidelines for good report writing and taking photos.

On the third day Trichy, Shillong and Guwahati provinces presented the annual report. Based on education for social change and nation building Fr. Joseph framed some questionnaires which enabled for the annual planning for 2019-2020. Fr. Joseph invited the group to discuss and give concrete suggestion as God inspires and not to be led by the emotion. Four different groups gave their valuable suggestions then during presentation all the suggestions were compiled and taken as action plan for the coming year.

The day’s programme ended with valedictory programme when Chennai province thanked the organizing body and participants for all the sharing and contributions towards the successful completion of the 15th NDF meeting. During good night Fr. Joseph appreciated the efforts made by different provinces and invited the participants to be always motivated and daring in bring about social change. Finally visit to Tapesia the Don Bosco University was part of the programme.

Participants

2nd Novitiate Experience

Dec18

The 1st phase of the Second Novitiate was held at Sacred Heart Convent, Provincial house, Bangalore from 15 November – 15 December 2018. Then junior sisters from the provinces INK, INC, INM, INT participated in it. The resource persons with their well prepared class to made us to understand in a deeper level the values of religious life and to form strong convictions.

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The Second Novitiate programme commenced with inaugural prayer service. Sr. Celine Jacob, provincial of INK carried the statue of Blessed Mother representing four different provinces and as gesture of our entrustment to our Bl. Mother. After which we were warmly welcomed by Sr. Provincial and sisters of the community with welcome song offering beautiful roses to each one of us as a sign of great love for us.

The sessions were taken by various persons on different topics such as Period of Juniorate, Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, 7 habits of highly effective people, Religious life in cannon Law, Salesian Spirituality and preventive system, Different forms of prayer and meditation for better God experience, Women Discipleship, Ongoing formation, call to holiness, Psycho-Spiritual integration, Community life and sense of belonging, Understanding the depth of Liturgical celebration, Marian Dimension of the  institute and challenges of media on the life of the young people. It was really a strengthening, encouraging and enriching experience. We were convinced of our religious call which is a call, a privilege, a responsibility which is demanding yet joyful. It is a gift and a task that is given by God to his chosen ones to give Jesus. The 1st phase of the Second Novitiate concluded with a thanksgiving programme during which we expressed our gratitude to God the Almighty and the sisters of the community for their hard work and sacrifices. We express our gratitude to our dear Sr. Rose Ezarath, the Provincial for giving this beautiful opportunity for our spiritual growth and all our sisters for their prayerful support.

Sr. Clara Rai & Sr. Neera Tigga

Christmas Celebration at Auxilium, Gobra

Dec18

Christams.

On 14th December 2018, Auxilium convent School, Gobra Celebrated Christmas with the Nursery children and their parents. Sr. Elizabeth Makil, Superior of Park Circus, was the Chief Guest of the day. The programme began at 9:30 a.m  by welcoming the  Chief Guest and parents with tilak and Welcome song followed by the lighting of the lamp. A folk dance was presented by one of our spoken English students. The Nursery children entertained their parents through rhymes and action songs. Sr. Elizabeth Makil gave the beautiful Christmas message that is Jesus came for us in the world and He loves us and He is always with us. The vote of thanks was given by Sr. Margaret Barla, highlighting that Jesus came to bring peace, Justice and love for us.  The Christmas message was given to the gathering through a beautiful power point programme. Finally children received  gifts from Santa clause.

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Retreat for the parents held at Holy Child Auxilium Vasant Vihar

Dec17

On 24th November 2018, Holy Child Auxilium Vasant Vihar organized a Retreat for the Catholic/Christian parents of Classes Nursery to XII. It was held from 8.00 am to 1.30 pm. Fr. Francis Karthanam V.C. and his team from Divine Ashram, Faridabad animated the day’s programme. The participants numbering about 200 appreciated the initiative under taken by the school management for their spiritual wellbeing. The retreat was concluded with lunch.

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Annual day celebration at Auxilium Convent School New Chumta

Dec13

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The Auxilium Convent School New Chumta situated at the foothill of Himalaya ranges and surrounded by tea garden organised the annual day celebration on 11th December 2018. The celebration started at 2.00 pm with the arrival of the chief guest Ms. Runu Roy B.D.O. Matigara development block. The scouts and guides ushered   her with slow march and a ceremonial welcome was given to her by putting khada and giving a bouquet of flowers by staff and students.

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Sr. Innocentia Jojo, the principal of the school welcomed the gathering and conveyed her annual day message, inviting everyone to be genuine person especially in setting ones goal and heading toward it. In a special way she invited the students to grow like tree big and graceful. Life is given by God to each one and each one is responsible in making it beautiful. Sr. Basanti Ekka read out the annual report. During the celebration Ajay Oraon, the first Scout from the school who qualified himself in the Rajya Puruskar Testing Camp and was awarded by West Bengal Governor on 26th July 2018 was felicitated by Ms. Runu Roy who handed over the Rajya  Puruskar certificate to him.

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The colourful presentation of the programmes by each class in a diverse ways made the day an experiential one. Each item was unique and presented well. Class V presented the values that a person lives in a family from childhood days till one becomes very old. Class VIII depicted the concern of the mother earth which is crying out for its protection. They also gave message to be aware of the fast food and the adulterated food which causes various health hazards. Class VII through their mime presentation invited the gathering to save nature and stop global warming.

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Ms Runu Roy thanked the School and the management for inviting her to be the chief guest for the day. She congratulated the students for their wonderful performance and invited them to discover their talents and develop them. She invited the parents and teachers to help weaker students and not to be partial in dealing with students. She specially invited the parents to take care of their children and encourage them in their studies. At the end of the programme Ms. Maria Mahanti Toppo proposed the vote of thanks. The sun set gracefully and the celebration got over with the chirping of birds as they were leaving for their nest by 4.00pm. Everyone left the campus with lots of joy and contentment.

Feast of Mary Immaculate

Dec10

On 8th December at Mazzarello Convent the Feast of Mary Immaculate was solemnized in a grand way. Morning liturgy was prepared by Sr. Lucy Tirkey. She helped the community to recall the significant events that took place on this date in the life of Don Bosco on 8th December such as:

1842 –  Meeting with  Bartholomew Garelli and starting of  his mission for the young people

1842 – Opening of the first chapel for the festive Oratory of St. Aloysius

1847- Opening of the Oratory of St. Aloysius

1853- prediction of  Don Bosco that the Waldensian Church in Turin would be one day a Catholic Church dedicated to the Immaculate Mary

1862- Instead of a lightning conductor Don Bosco erected a statue of Mary Immaculate near the spot hit by the lightning on May 20th, 1861.

mary Immaculate 035.JPGThe community celebrated the name feast of our dear Sr. Lily D’Souza. Both Mazzarello and Sacred Heart communities  joined together for the celebration. Mazzarello community was blessed by the  presence of Rev. Fr. Jose Mathew SDB, the Provincial of INN Province and Rev. Fr. Hillarius Kullu SDB the Rector of  Hatia.

Fr. Provincial in his sermon stressed that Holiness consists in little things so we e need to keep the target of our life – that is Holiness. Our Blessed Mother persevered in achieving the virtue of Holiness. The Lord is asking us to give our best.  Anyone who is full of grace will go beyond to help the needy person like Mary our mother. Therefore there is no room for laziness. We are full of grace, so let us move to stretch out our hand to embrace the world like Don Bosco.

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After Mass Rev. Fr. Naresh Pradeep Kujur SDB the Vice Provincial and Rev. Fr. P Akkilettu Francis Biju Abraham the Provincial Economer  also joined the celebration. Thereafter boarders wished superior Sr. Lily, Happy Feast Day, welcomed the Fathers, and enacted the scene of the meeting of Don Bosoc with Bartholomew Garelli . He congratulated the children for their good performance and recommended them go ahead courageously on their journey no matter what comes. Celebration continued with the festal meal.  It was indeed a treasured celebration which everyone enjoyed to the full.