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Mini Boscoree held at Don Bosco School, Kokar

Oct29

The Salesians of New Delhi Province organized   for the first time Mini Boscoree for the Scouts and Guides from 16th -20th October 2018 at Don Bosco School, Kokar in view of the 13th National Boscoree which will be held at Nashik, from 30th December 2018 to 3rd January 2019. Mini Boscoree was inaugurated by Mr.Bandhu Tirkey MLA and the former Educational Minister and Jharkhand Scouts and Guides Master. He was extremely happy about this movement and expressed his gratitude for forming scouts and Guides for the better world to live.

Fr. Naresh Kujur SDB the Vice Provincial of Delhi Province in his messages said that education should never be confined solely to the teaching but it should introduce scouting which develops both the physical and moral attributes of Scouts and Guides through outdoor activities. He quoted the last message of Baden Powell to the world Movement of Scouts: “One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are boys, so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are men.” Father concluded his message saying “Let this ‘Mini Boscoree’ be a celebration and participation of various troops gathered in the true spirit of Scouting.”

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For Mini Boscoree the Special animators were Mr. Narayana Swamy and Mr. Raja Sudamani from Channai. They gave their best to train the troops for the coming events and side by side training was given even to the animators which was really unique. Every day at the end of the programme, animators met together for the evaluation. Daily BP six exercises, Inspection and Pioneering, gadgets, Adventure games, Friendship games etc. helped the troops to be brisk and quick. Camp Fire was the moments of excitement for all. Hiking to Don Bosco Hindi Medium School at Gadigaon added lots of joy and happiness to the troops. Treasure hunt game was tiresome but there after music and dance brought life to the participants. At Gadigaon School each institution planted one tree as a symbol of making the world green and clean.

Fr. Davis Maniaramben, the youth Pastoral Delegate of the Delhi Province explained about the theme of Mini Boscoree ‘Health, Harmony and Holiness’. First H- is Health: Good health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Without health there is no happiness, no peace and no success. Mahatma Gandhi used to say, “It is health which is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” Second H- is Harmony: This is the need of the hour! There is an inseparable bond between us and human being and nature. Third H- is Holiness: Holiness is to describe the otherness.  Baden Powell in his last message to the Scouts said “ I believe God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn’t come from being rich, or merely from being successful in your career, not by self-indulgence”.  Father concluded saying that Baden Powell tells us that we are put here to be happy and if we don’t live healthy lives and in harmony with one another, with nature and with God we aren’t going to be happy.

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Eight schools participated in the camp and Mazzarello School was one among them. 13 Scouts and 30 Guides took active part in the camp with three animators Sr. Aruna Kispotta, Sir Birendra and Mrs. Anjna Bara. It was a very enriching experience as SDB and FMAs worked hand in hand by involving themselves for the success of the Mini Boscoree.  Kudos to the organizing committee for making the Mini Boscoree a mega event for the Scouts and Guides to remember.

Sr. Arun Kispotta

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CONTINENTAL SEMINAR OF ACSSA SOUTH ASIA

Jul4

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The third continental seminar of ACSSA South Asia was held from 22-24 June 2018 at the Provincial House of the Hyderabad Province with 16 participants comprising of 7 Salesians and 9 Salesian Sisters, representing four Salesian and the seven FMA provinces respectively. The formal inaugural session on 22nd at 9.30 a.m. set the tone to the seminar proceedings. Fr Thathireddy Vijay Bhaskar, Provincial of Hyderabad, presided over the session and inaugurated the seminar. In his presidential address he highlighted the importance of a faithful recording of history. Fr Thomas Anchukandam, Director of Istituto Storico Salesiano, Rome and member of Presidenza ACSSA gave the keynote address, stressing the exigency of continuity in the documented history of religious institutes, which calls for conviction, commitment and competence on the part of the one called to this mission.

The messages from the Rector Major Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, from the Mother General Rev. Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, from the Regional Councillor for South Asia Rev. Fr. Maria Arockiam Kanaga and from the President of ACSSA Rev. Fr. Francesco Motto were listened to fondly by the participants. These messages evoked a feeling of proximity of the Superiors at this seminar. Their words of appreciation at coming together to study the topic of “Incisive and Innovative Salesian Personalities of India” were of encouragement to the participants to continue as promoters of Salesian history in the region. The messages have motivated them to dedicate themselves even more enthusiastically to transmit the incisive and innovative contributions of our predecessors to the coming generations in order to ensure the future of the Salesian congregation as willed by Don Bosco in India.

Three Salesians and four Salesian Sisters presented their historical and documented Papers on the above topic: Mother Catherine Mania FMA- A Charismatic Missionary presented by Sr. Molly, Kaniampady portrayed Mother Catherine as an epitome of Salesian missionary life who devoted her long life for the poor. Sr. Lily Perumpettikunnel presented Sr. Terezija Medvešek FMA, “An Embodiment of Love and Service” as the only FMA missionary who came to India from Slovenia and had embodied in a significant manner the “Salesian spirit”, and lived her Salesian vocation understood as mission. Fr. Thomas Anchukandam highlighted the significance of Fr. Joseph Carreño SDB for Salesian India as he was a true sign and bearer of God’s love to all and all loved him in return. Fr. Joseph Pandicherry gave an account of Fr. John Lens SDB and his personality. Sr. Teresa Phawa presented Sr. Josephine Goad FMA as an ardent and enterprising missionary in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Sr. Sangeetha Sahayarani presented Sr. Nancy Pereira FMA throwing light on her incisive and innovative works. Finally Fr. Mathew Kapplikunnel the Secretary of the ACSSA South Asia presented Fr. Philip Thayil SDB as a visionary and innovator. Every presentation was followed by clarifications, suggestions etc.

The seminar was concluded with the evaluation of the programme and the vote of thanks by Sr. Philomena D’Souza the president of ACSSA South Asia and Fr. Mathew Kapplikunnel the secretary.

The badge distribution ceremony of Bharat Scout & Guide at Auxilium Convent School New Chumta

Mar26

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The badge distribution ceremony of Bharat Scout & Guide was held on 8th March 2017 at Auxilium Convent School New Chumta. We were privileged to have the presence of provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath on this auspicious occasion.  The badges were distributed by provincial to those scout & guide who had passed the pravesh and pratham examination.

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SEMINAR ON “PASSING ON OF OUR MEMORY”

Jul2

The Seminar on PASSING ON OF OUR MEMORY – Glimpses of Indian Salesian History, was held in Don Bosco Provinical House, Bangalore, June 24-26, 2016. The Seminar was held under the aegis of the premiere institute of history of the Congregation, the ISS (Istituto Storico Salesiano), Rome, and the mother body of ACSSA (Associazione Cultori di Storia Salesiana). Rev. Fr. Thomas Anchukandam sdb, the Director of ISS and member of the Executive Committee (Presidenza) of ACSSA represented both these institutions at the Seminar. Fr Thomas was a source of inspiration and guidance right from the inception of the idea, the planning and conduct of the Seminar. The realization of this Seminar was also thanks to the interest and initiative of Rev. Fr. Maria Arockiam Kanaga, Regional Superior of South Asia, by way of motivating the Provincials.

The participants were all from the Salesian Family – 8 Salesians (RMG 1, INB 1, IND 1, INK 2, INH 1, INN 1, INS 1); 11 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (INB 1, INC 2, ING 2, INK 1, INM 3, INS 1); 1 Sister of Mary Immaculate (Bangalore). Sr. Maria Pettayil and Sr. Lily Perumpettikunnel from our province were among them.

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The Inauguration began at 9.30 a.m. with a fervent hymn in praise of and in prayer to Don Bosco. Rev. Fr. Kapplikunnel, the Coordinator of the seminar welcomed everyone in affectionate terms. Rev. Fr. Joyce Thonikuzhiyil sdb the Provincial, gave the presidential address.

What followed was a ‘Connect to the Centre’ listening to the messages received from Rome:

  • The Rector Major Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime exhorted the participants, to demonstrate in a credible way the Salesian contribution in the various sectors of human promotion, especially in that closest to the world of the young.
  • The Mother General of the FMAs, Sr Yvonne Reungoat reiterated that writing history for recognizing the wonders of God in the educational endeavours of our past, and that examining the past with the intention of learning to plan for the future is a commitment on the part of historiographers.
  • In his message, Rev. Fr. Maria Arockiam Kanaga, the Regional Councillor for South Asia made a poignant mention about preserving the memory of our history and of our ancestors for the sake of our posterity.
  • Fr. Francesco Motto, President of ACSSA, affirmed that the Indian ACSSA will be instrumental in passing on to the future generations of the Indian Salesian Family the rich documentary heritage that previous generations have gathered with much sacrifice and zeal for souls.

Fr. Anchukandam presented his paper on Preserving and Passing on of the “Memory” in the Salesian Tradition. He also spoke elaborately on ‘Preserving the Sources and Writing History’. Fr. Mathew Valarkote sdb the Provincial Secretary dealt on ‘Archive Keeping’.

Sr. Philomena D’Souza (INB) presented her paper on the Founding of Auxilium, Wadala (1945 – 1954);  Fr. Varghese Palatty sdb ( INN) on ‘Don Bosco Ashalayam Delhi;  Sr. Lily Perumpattikunnel (INC) on ‘FMA Presence in New Delhi’(1967 to 1980); Sr. Cecily Thomas (INK) on the ‘Mission of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco for the Girl Children at Risk in Bangalore’; Fr. Mahimai Das (INM) on ‘The Social Service Guild’ of KJC, Bangalore (1968 to 2000); and Fr. Jerish Kochuparambil (IND) gave an account on the Servant of God, Bishop Orestes Marengo sdb as the Architect of Salesian North East India.

Other events of the seminar were: a memorable experience at DB Tech Skill Mission Centre at Bannerghatta Road for the training of Trainers; visit to FMA Convent, Nirmal Jyothi, and  Don Bosco Renewal Centre .

In the Concluding Session the participants of the Seminar expressed their intention to proceed with the launch of the South Asia unit of ACSSA, with those who were present for the seminar as the founding members. The English expansion of ACSSA was fixed as: Association of the Promoters of Salesian History. In the elections that ensued, the following were elected unanimously as the office bearers of the ACSSA:

Sr. Philomena D’Souza fma                  : President

Fr. Varghese Palatty sdb                       : Vice President

Fr. Mathew Kapplikunnel sdb               : Secretary cum Treasurer

Sr. Rajapushpam smi                            : Joint Secretary

Fr. Anchukandam sdb officially welcomed the Office Bearers of the ACSSA. The deliberations continued with defining the criteria for membership of ACSSA, frequency of meetings, date, venue and theme for the next meeting, finance, publication of the papers presented during the seminar and suggestions relevant to the promotion of Salesian History.

Future admissions will be regulated by a set of Statutes which will be drawn up by the Executive Committee (Office bearers) and approved by the general body in the next meeting.

It was decided to hold the next meeting of ACSSA in the last weekend of June 2018 on the theme: Salesian Stalwarts of India. The venue proposed was Hyderabad, or in the case of any inconvenience, Mumbai.

The frequency of meetings: The Executive Committee will meet at least once a year and as often as is necessary. The general body will meet once in two years, on which occasion serious studies/papers should be presented.

Fr Kapplikunnel earnestly pleaded with the participants to continue as members. He noted that continuity was of paramount importance for the realization of the scope of ACSSA.

With a joyful hymn of thanksgiving to God for Don Bosco, the curtains came down on the South Asia ACSSA Seminar held at Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore, from 24 to 26 June 2016.

Participant – Sr. Lily P. FMA