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BOSCO FEST at HC Auxilium Vasant Vihar
As we celebrate the bicentenary of his birth, the H C Auxilium dedicates this fest to our father and founder, Don Bosco: Bosco Fest 2015. An Italian Roman Catholic priest of Latin Church, Don Bosco was born on August 16, 1815. He was an educator and writer of the 19th Century. He devoted his life in finding practical and creative means of responding to the chaotic lives of young people, the juvenile delinquents and worked towards the betterment and education of these disadvantaged youth.
Following his footsteps, HCA had taken the privellege to honour young budding talents, as we truly believe that every child is a genius and all he needs is a window of opportunity to come forward and shine like the stars. The stage was set for 27th & 28th August 2015 and the participants from 20 schools of the Delhi NCR region came forward to exhibit their talent and participate in the grand inter-school competition in the field of Dance drama, International folk dance, and Kaleidoscope which included card making, paper mosiac & graffiti art on the first day. On the second day, they participated to vie for the top positions in Mime, Western solo and band performances.
On this auspicious occasion, the Chief Guest Rev. Fr. K A Joseph sdb, Rector of The Technical School at Najafgarh, addressed the gathering and Declared Bosco Fest 2015 Open. Rev Fr. Cyprian Credo OP, the Parish Priest St. Dominic’s Church, was the Guest of Honour.
The programme commenced with the floral tribute to St Don Bosco by the honourable Chief Guest Fr K A Joseph, the guest of honour Fr. Cyprian, Superior Sr. Ruben, the Principal Sr Celine A, Vice-principal Sr. Karuna, the teacher and a student representative from the participating school teams. This was followed by Bicentennial Anthem presented by the School Choir, a video Don Bosco – the Fascinating Saint was shown to the audience. Thereafter, a skit ‘Dream Of Don Bosco’ was performed by the students of HCA. As per the tradition, the host school presented an item each for the various competitions but did not compete with the guest schools.
We had a panel of esteemed judges from the realm of music and dance to judge the show and give their valuable suggestions to the competitors. The chief guest Fr. Cyprian gave away the prizes.
The Dance Drama Competition was judged by Mr Soubir Mitra, a professional jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and ballet dancer, Mr. Sumeet Jain and Mr. Ryan Kwan, choreographers and dance instructors in The Kingdom of Dreams. To judge International Folk Dance Competition Ms Aarushi Chouhan, the founder member and the president of the Dance Society of DCAC, Delhi University and a trainer in hip-hop and zumba, joined Mr Ryan Kwan and Mr Soubir Mitra.
The Judges for Mime and Western Music Competitions were Mr Yaman Shastri, a lead guitarist in Aryan Band, Mr. Arpan Guhakhakurta, a film personality and founder member of Advaita Band and Mr. Arnab Bhattacharya, a film personality, a professional drummer and the founder of Rock Band Avni.
The first day witnessed the Dance Drama Competition and the results are:
First Position St. Xaviers’ School,
Second Position Presentation Convent School
Third Position Loreto Convent School
The International Folk Dance Competition,
First Position G D Goenka School
Second Position St. Mary’s School, Dwarka
Third Position St. Francis De Sales
The off – stage competition included Card Making, Paper Mosiac and Graffiti Art.
Card Making Competition
First Position St. Francis De Sales
Second Position St. Mary’s School, Dwarka
Third Position St. Georges School, Alaknanda.
Paper Mosiac Competition
First Position St. Francis De Sales
Second Position St. Mary’s School
Third Position Poorna Prajna School.
Graffiti Art Competition
First Position St. Anthony’s School
Second Position St. Mary’s School, Dwarka and
Third Position St. Georges School, Alaknanda
The Second Day had Mime Competition and Western Solo and Band Competition.
Mime Competition
First Position St. Xaviers’ School
Second Position St. Anthony’s School
Third Position St. Mary’s School, Dwarka
Western Solo Performance
First Position St. Georges School, Alaknanda,
Second Position G D Goenka School
Third Position D P S Vasant Kunj
Western Band Competition
First Position St. Francis De Sales
Second Position St. Xaviers’ School
Third Position St. Anthony’s School
The Overall Rolling Trophy was bagged by St. Mary’s School, Dwarka
The Principal Sr. Celine A thanked and expressed deep gratitude to the Chief Guest Rev. Fr. K A Joseph SDB, and Rev Fr. Cyprian Credo OP the Guest of Honour for being there to witness and enjoy the grand programme. She also thanked the participants and extended an invitation for the next year’s function. She appreciated the whole hearted cooperation of the co ordinators, teachers, the school Cabinet, volunteers and all the students in making this Bosco Fest 2015 a grand success.
Ms Rita Bakshi
H.C.Auxilium Vasant Vihar
Chronicles of Pilgimage cum Education Tour on the occasion of the Bi-Centenary Celebration of Bon Bosco’s birth
It was a unique occasion that the Province of FMA Kolkata, planned to organize the over sea Educational Tour for higher secondary students and teachers. From Auxilium School Dum Dum 5 Students, 3 past pupils and Sr. Esther the Principal of Auxilium School Dum Dum and 4 teachers and 9 students from Auxilium School – New Delhi were the privileged ones. We started our 10 days tour to Italy via New Delhi and reached Rome on 9th Aug 2015. This entire unimaginable journey was undertaken in order to participate in the CELEBRATION OF BI-CENTENARY OF OUR FATHER AND FRIEND OF THE YOUNG, DON BOSCO’S Birth day on 16th August 2015 at Turin.
10th August 2015: Visit to Rome
It was an exciting site to experience the ancient Rome with the modern Rome. Ancient pyramid built by Octavian Augustus and the palatine-believed to be the birth place of Rome’s 1st emperor Augutus Maximus-a place of entertainment: mainly used for chariot racing and the 1st ancient largest stadium this could accommodate 150,000 spectators.
Capitoline Hill-The Capitoline contains few ancient ground-level ruins, as they are almost entirely covered up by Medieval and Renaissance palaces (now housing the Capitoline Museums) that surround a piazza, a significant urban plan designed by Michelangelo. Piazza del Campidoglio- built by the famous artist Michel Angelo-the place is also nick named as the wedding cake.
Visit to St. Peters Basilica – Here we prayed for our Parents, Teachers and Students.
11th August 2015: Visit to Rome Continues…
We visited Vatican Museum where the display works from immense collection built up by the Popes throughout the centuries including some of the most renowned classical sculptors and most important masterpieces of the Renaissance art in the world.
Sistine Chapel , the Apostolic Palace, also the official residence of Pope in the Vatican city. It is a place for both religious and functionary papal activity. The place is a papal conclave, the process by which a new Pope is elected. The fame of the Sistine Chapel lies mainly in the frescos that decorate the interior and most likely the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and The Last Judgement Day.
Wonder Raphael’s room was originally built as a suite to apartments of Pope Julius II.
St Peter’s Basilica, a famous place of pilgrimage and is the largest church of the world. It is the most prominent building in the Vatican city and the holiest shrines of Christianity. It is traditionally the burial site of its titular St Peter, who was the head of the twelve Apostles of Jesus and the first Pope.
Piazza Novana, the pedestrian paradise, filled with café, street performers, milling tourists, kids playing football and splashing fountains.
12th August 2015: Florence
Leaning tower of Pisa, built in white marble, is slightly tilted and is one of the tallest monuments of Pisa. It has 294 steps and astonishingly most of us were successfully able to climb the 294 steps at one go. It was a spectacular view to see the entire Pisa from the top.
Tuscan countryside is known for its landscapes, traditions, history, artistic legacy and its influence on high culture.
Piazza dei Miracoli is an important center of European medieval art and one of the finest architectural complexes in the world. Considered a sacred area by its owner, the Catholic Church, the square is dominated by four great religious edifices: the Pisa Cathedral, the Pisa Baptistry, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery).
13th August 2015: Venice
Venice is a city in north eastern Italy sited on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. It is located in the marshy Venetian Lagoon which stretches along the shoreline, between the mouths of the Po and the Piave Rivers. Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture, and its artwork. The city is entirety listed as a World Heritage Site, along with its lagoon.
Gondola Ride– People travel from one part of the city to another by boats and tourists enjoy the city ride on well decorated gondolas. We all were divided into groups of 4 each, for the gondola ride. It was indeed a splendid sight to view the city on the gondola.
14th August 2015: Venice
St. Mark’s Basilica is the most famous of the many churches of Venice and one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the world. Located just off the Grand Canal, the gleaming basilica overlooks the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) and adjoins the Doge’s Palace. San Marco is a cathedral, but has not always been so: it was the Doge’s chapel until it became the seat of the Archbishop of Venice in 1807.He is the patron saint of Venice.
Realto Bridge-The Rialto Bridge is the most famous of the bridges that cross the Grand Canal (the other two are the Accademia Bridge and the Scalzi). It was the city’s first bridge over the Grand Canal connecting the highest points on the lagoon islands settlement.
Piazza San Marco often known in English as St Mark’s Square, is the principal public square of Venice, Italy, where it is generally known just as “the Piazza” (la Piazza). All other urban spaces in the city (except the Piazzetta and the Piazzale Roma) are called “campi” (fields). The Piazzetta (the ‘little Piazza’) is an extension of the Piazza towards the lagoon in its south east corner (see plan). The two spaces together form the social, religious and political centre of Venice and are commonly considered together.
Doge’s Palace is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice in northern Italy.
15th August 2015: Turin
Turin is the capital of Piedmont. In the year 2006 the winter Olympics was hosted in this part of the world. It is the first city from the Alps mountain. Turin is located between Italy and Florence much closer to France .It is also considered the capital of industries.
In short it is also called FIAT (Fabrica Italiana Automobile Turin) hence it is an important economic centre. Po is the longest river of Italy which flows through Turin. Our beloved saint Don Bosco started his work here. He lived during the restoration of monarchy during the Savoy period. While working in Turin, where the population suffered many of the effects of industrialization and urbanization, he dedicated his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth. He developed teaching methods based on love rather than punishment, a method that became known as the Salesian Preventive System.
A follower of the spirituality and philosophy of Saint Francis de Sales, Don Bosco dedicated his works to him when he founded the Salesians of Don Bosco, based in Turin.
Together with Maria Domenica Mazzarello, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a religious congregation of Our Sisters dedicated to the care and education of poor girls.
Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, built by St. John Bosco was started with only 12 cents.
16th August 2015: Becchi (Colle Don Bosco)
Participation in the Bicentenary celebration of Don Bosco’s at his birth place Becchi
17th August 2015: Filled with beautiful memories and experience returning home
It was a lifetime achievent and and sheer joy of experience that all of us are going to cherish throughout our lives. Both Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello steered our life since the 1st day we were acquainted with the salesian family.So, getting an opportunity to see their place of origin itself is a privilege for all of us. A dream that most of us might have dreamt of since childhood.
I take this as a pride to thank the Almighty for paving us the path to turn this visit into a reality, the entire group is very grateful to our ex Provincial Sr.Maria Pettayil who daringly permitted and set apath to actualise this plan. We also want to thank our dear Superior Teresa Adampakallel who spend lot of her time to organize this entire trip. Grateful thoughts to our dear Sr.Esther who designed the trip, accompanied us and brought all of us back safely.
By Chumki Sengupta – Past Pupil.
200th Birth Day Celebration of Don Bosco
From 10 -15 August 2015, at Aspirantate Barasat the postulants and aspirants began a Bosco week to prepare themselves for the Bicentenary celebration of the Birth of Don Bosco. The Bosco week was a stunning event beginning with a prayer dance and un- veiling of Don Bosco’s image by superior Sr. Leelamma. The study of the candidate were presented through Mime, Self composed Poem, song and Dance Drama. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience and presented their items in an original way. Every day the Morning Prayer was prepared based on the life of Don Bosco.
On 16th August, the aspirantate community together with the school community celebrated the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. The day began with a well prepared morning prayer. The grant ceremony started with a solemn procession in which the statue of Don Bosco was carried by our sisters. The neighbourhood religious from RNDM, Bethany novitiate and cottage, Jesuit brothers and also the lay people were present. Each one of us carried the flag of Don Bosco accompanied by the hymn ‘ Father of many youngsters’. The entrance dance of the aspirants made the Holy Eucharist more solemn. Fr. Aloysius Carvalo SJ was the main celebrant. In his homily he highlighted the life sketch of Don Bosco. He brought forth the work of Don Bosco for the poor and marginalized young people and his zeal to lead all souls to God. The birthday party of Don Bosco was at 12.30 noon. Both the communities shared their lunch together followed by the games organized by the sisters for the aspirants, boarders and house staff.
In the evening the aspirants and boarders paid homage to our father and founder Don Bosco through a stage programme. We concluded the day with a prayer service and taking blessing from Don Bosco.
Aspirantate Community
Long live Don Bosco! “E viva Don Bosco!” – Celebration at Auxilium – Barasat
16th August 2015 was the most jubilant occasion to celebrate the birthday of Don Bosco, the father and founder of Salesian Congregation after 200 years. ‘The Man’ who has mobilised the world of youth for almost two centuries obviously draws the hearts of every one to rejoice and commemorate the great event. As the celebration went on for one year in various ways, indeed the culmination of the celebration was something distinctive. Being Sunday the other religious communities of Barasat were here for the Mass, so all joined for the significant celebration. All were given a flag and so taking the flag in their hands entered the chapel in procession singing “Father of many youngsters ……”. Two sisters carried Don Bosco’s statue and placed on the niche specially decorated for the occasion in pink and blue. The aspirants welcomed the gathering through entrance dance.During his sermon Rev. Fr. Aloysius Carvlho SJ highlighted on the advent of Salesians to India and the great contribution made towards the growth and development of the Church in our Mother land. He repeatedly spoke about Bishop Matthias , the one who worked a lot to shape the CBCI at that time. He was instrumental in bringing to the notice of Vatican II the need to train the laity as Catechists in the parish and village for local evangelisation. It was the initiative of Bishop Matthias to spread the health ministry in various parts of our country.Rev. Fr.Calvalho emphasized d that the credit of evangelisation in North East and many other achievements is due to the Salesians in India. Everyone’s hearts were overwhelming with gratitude to God for Don Bosco and his legacy to the world. The celebrant invited the gathering repeatedly to thank God for this great saint. The boarders through their melodious singing made the mass more participatory and solemn.
The delicious meal was the binding force between the two communitiesas they shared the lunch together.Then the games for aspirants, boarders, and office and house staff were surprising and the most amusing event of the day. All of them worked in their team to win prizes by taking active part in all the indoor games. The celebration continued till evening and ended with adoration to the Blessed Sacrament. The bicentenary celebration is over but the memory of this celebration will linger in the minds and hearts of all of us especially the elderly people who will continue to get little support as ration in the name of Don Bosco from Auxilium Convent Barasat.
Reported by Sr. Stella P.
Going to the periphery
Pope Francis through his continuous teachings and his own personal example has propelled all to leave our cosy comfortable zones to venture out to the peripheries. The spark had lit in the hearts of the sisters of Barasat a flame and took the opportunity of the bicentenary to launch the first venture to reach out to the poor of the neighbourhood. Networking with the local leaders the sisters managed to identify about 20 old and infirm persons. On August 16 , 2015 they were invited to the feast and they were welcomed into the hall. Sr. Stella the animator in her inaugural speech spoke of Don Bosco and his mission among the young and the needy. The aspirants and the boarders entertained our guests with dances, skit and the dream at the age of nine. After the function the ladies were provided with a box of snacks, 2 kg of rice, dhal and eggs. This good work initiated today will continue every Saturday with the additional deserving people. The sisters were able to see a gleam of smile on their faces. May Don Bosco from heaven in whose memory we have started to work help us reach out to more in the periphery through other works of mercy and love.
By Sr. Stella P.
Bicentenary Celebration at Auxilium Barasat School
August 14th will remain an undeletable day in the memories of the auxilians as the yearlong celebration of bicentennial of Don Bosco’s birth had its culmination with the closing ceremony spearheaded by red house who had inaugurated it as well. The solemn ceremonial was launched with a slow parade led by the school captain, vice captain and the four captains with the portrait of Don Bosco with an entourage of little girls showering rose petals on the portrait giving a sort of heavenly reverie. Sr. Stella garlanded the picture and Sr. Rosy Veliyan the principal lit a candle giving a spiritual aura where a couple of prayers and self-composed poem was rendered. A group of primary class students arrayed in dance to honour the saint of the young. Three boys depicting the nine year old, teenager and grownup Don Bosco conveyed that his presence is required to bring solace to the chaotic world of the young even today. The maxims of Don Bosco was made a living reality by taking them as an oath by the students. The celebration concluded with the concluding speech of Sr. Stella which was poem illustrating the multifaceted personality and the greatness of Don Bosco.
The great celebration also included the “BOSC – O- QUIZZARD” in which Green House bagged the first prize along with all the other houses performing wonderfully well. The tiny toddlers made the stage more colourful with their “RAMP SHOW” Portraying their love for their favourite Bollywood stars. The final closure was marked by folding and handing over the bicentennial flag as a symbol of the students good will in preserving the values which were which they learned from the multitalented maestro, Don Bosco.
“LONG LIVE DON BOSCO”!!!“LONG LIVE HIS WORKS”!!!
(Debasree Pal and AsmitaHobisyashi)ACS, Barasat
Pledge taken at Bicentenaryclsing ceremony
We the students of the Salesian School, promise that we will try our best to exemplify the principle that we have learnt from our school, respect and commit ourselves to uphold, respect and follow the standards set out by our school.
Following the example of Don Bosco, we pledge ourselves to live as one family, regardless of our race, language and religion to build a nation that respects each & every individual.
We further promise that we will give our best and strive constantly for excellence, preserving our academic integrity by maintaining the highest ethical standard in our studies and valuing the relationship with the management teachers and among ourselves, In every instance we will prove ourselves as Salesian pupils following the footsteps of Don Bosco.
Bicentenary Celebration of St. John Bosco at Snehalaya – Palm Gaon
On 16th August 2015 the children of Snehalaya celebrated the birth of Don Bosco with grandeur. The day began with the animated Morning Prayer through power point presentation and followed by Eucharistic celebration. Whole day was dedicated to Don Bosco our Father and friend of youth.
In the evening at 7.00 p.m. children paid homage to St. John Bosco through songs, dance and skit. Rev. Fr. Swanoop Choudhury the Rector of Ashalayam and one of his friends Mr. Francis were present for the festa. The programe was concluded with the distribution of gifts.
Boarders were also part of the celebration of the Past pupils of Don Bosco technical school, Okhla to mark the celebration of the bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth.
Sr. Anima Xalxo
The Past Pupils of Auxilium Dum Dum Unit celebrates Don Bosco Jayanti 200
The Past Pupils of Auxilium Dum Dum Unit celebrated Don Bosco Jayanti 200, on 16th August 2015. The participants of the event were 50 evening school children, 60 senior citizens and 15 past pupils.
The celebration started with an opening speech from Sr. Dominica. She enlightened everyone about the importance of bicentenary celebration of Don Bosco. Sanghamitra Bhattacharya, Secretary of the Dum Dum Unit narrated some memorable events from the life of Don Bosco and urged the little children to follow the footsteps of Don Bosco. It was followed by hoisting of the flag as a mark of respect for Don Bosco and singing a hymn to Don Bosco by the past pupils. A beautiful and energetic cultural event of the children added a spark to the day and mesmerized the audience.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ajanta Dutta, Vice President of the Dum Dum Unit. Thereafter the past pupils distributed biscuits, sweets and potatoes to all the senior citizens and the evening school children.
It was indeed a great moment of pride for the past pupils in being able to do their bit towards the bicentenary celebration of Don Bosco.
Sanghamitra Bhattacharya
Auxilium Dum Dum celebrates Don Bosco Jayanti 200
On 12 August 2015, the middle and the primary students of Auxilium Convent School, Dum Dum celebrated the bicentennial of Don Bosco’s birth. They portrayed the virtues of Don Bosco through dances, dramas and speeches. The performance helped the audience to know his works, struggels and the hard time he had to face, to be a teacher and friend of youth. Superior Sr. Teresa A. appreciated the programme and thanked the sudents for their creative presentation of Don Bosco’s life.
Sr. Dominica T.
FMA INC News Update 