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A workshop for drafting the FMA- INDIA SOCIAL POLICY

Jul8

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A workshop for drafting the FMA- INDIA SOCIAL POLICY was held in Yercaud, Chennai from 29th June to 1st July 2017. The main purpose of the workshop organised by NDF was to give guidelines for the social ministry as well as for the better coordination between the different realities operating in the FMA Institutions. There were 17 participants from all seven provinces. Rev. Fr. Joseph Xavier SJ, the NDF consultant resource person facilitated the group.

The workshop commenced at 9 a.m. with a prayer, invoking God’s blessings and light on the participants. Sr. Isabella welcomed the Chief Guest Sr. Manoranjitham, the province delegate of INM, Rev. Fr. Joseph Xavier the resource person and all the participants.

Sr. Manoranjitham in her inaugural talk emphasized the importance of Social Work and various realms of social work carried out by the Government, NGOs, Social Activists, etc. She motivated the participants by citing relevant example of a woman entrepreneur who trained (Security guard) unskilled women for gainful employment and was able to get 100% placement. She exhorted the FMA to utilize every opportunity to serve the poor and work with strong will, faith in divine providence, and in cooperation with one another, in order to build a new and better world.

Fr. Joseph Xavier put forth four relevant questions to the participants for the preparation of the introductory draft of the Social Policy. They are:

  1. Why does FMA India need a Social Policy?
  2. Who should be the audience for these policies?
  3. What should be the nature of the policy?
  4. What are the various dimensions the policy should cover?

This brainstorming session geared up the participants for preparing the draft for the future social policy. Subsequently, the participants were divided into three groups consisting of different provinces.A rough draft prepared in 2011 was given for reference. All worked seriously and so after three days of hard labour, a draft copy of the policy was prepared.

Funeral Mass of TERESA SAGAYAMARY RUBEN FMA at Auxilium Dum Dum

Jul6

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In the morning hours of July 4, 2017 when the community members of Auxilium Bandel were in prayer and meditation, the Lord of life and the God of surprises came to take our dear Sr. Teresa Ruben when she was in sleep.

The funeral Mass was held on July 5, 2017 at 10.30 am in the  Provincial House Chapel at Dum Dum. Fr. Joseph Pauria SDB the vice provincial of Kolkata presided over the Holy Eucharist together with 15 other concelebrants. Present for the funeral services were also her mother, brother, sisters and relatives from Bangalore. The chapel packed with Religious, young people, laity, members of the Salesian family, well wishers and friends was a sign of the impact she made on the people with her life of holiness.  Those who addressed the final words of adieu spoke volumes of her deep prayer and faith life.

Her mortal remains were laid to rest at 2.30pm in Bhawanipur cemetery. May she enjoy the eternal peace and joy of the Risen Lord!

Reported by Sr. Lily P.

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Family Day  2017 at Auxilium Convent School, Barasat

Jul1

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The Family Day for class XI & XII one of its kind was first celebrated in Auxilium Convent School, Barasat on 24th June, 2017, at the school Auditorium, as an innovative gesture by our Principal Sr.Clara Saminathan to bridge the communication gap that apparently exists between the teachers and parents. It was also a day which will carve out a niche in Auxilium history as it was the day, when our ICSE and ISC toppers with a special mention of Debasree Pal who ranked first in West Bengal and secured the second position in India, were felicited by our respected M.P Mrs. Kakoli Ghosh Dostidar, who had come on a special invitation from the school management.

          The programme initiated with the lighting of lamp and a prayer service. Sr. Principal then welcomed the parents, who had been escorted to the auditorium. The session was then conducted by Fr, Joseph Pathikal, the chief guest who spoke on the deterioration of child parent relationship due to curricular, extracurricular and peer pressure. Children needed to be handled according to their personality traits. Moreover, he brought to the forefront of the parents the importance of  sex education  and the need to become friends with their wards. It was then the turn of Mr. Banerjee, father of Ritti Banerjee, to speak on behalf of the parents. He, too seconded the advice that was given by Father.

           Mrs. Kakoli Ghosh Dostidar then felicitated the students and applauded the herculean task taken up by the Salesian sisters in moulding the children on the path of virtue and knowledge.

           The programme camne to a close with a short cultural programme by the students of Cl. XI and XII to show case their innate talents which was nurtured by the school since their nursery day. Song on ‘Family Day’ was soon followed by a Semi classical dance programme and then poetry recitation with enactment.

     The parents left the school auditorium contented and their bright smile symbolisesed the hope that they saw in their children to be felicitated next year too, for performing well in ISC.

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Golden jubilee celebration of Sr. Dorothy Gomes at Auxilium Barasat

Jun30

 

Jubilee is a milestone on the journey of life and a reminder of God’s fidelity all through.  Auxilium Barasat   anticipated and celebrated the golden jubilee of Sr. Dorothy Gomes who had come to visit our province and the North East provinces of Guwahati and Shillong from Chennai.  Sisters  from Park Circus, Gobra and Sr. Mary George U from Dum Dum and the entire Aspirantate community joined in the celebration.

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The chapel was all decked in golden jubilee theme   befitting for the celebration of a person who had lived her consecration with great love for Jesus. Before the Eucharist could begin a corsage of gold  was pinned on the habit of Sr. Dorothy by Sr. Elizabeth Makil.  Fr. Joe Kallarangatt celebrated the Jubilee Mass with an apt homily and interspersed with elevating tributes.  The jubilee Eucharist was ushered in with a graceful and rhythmic entrance dance by the boarders.  The introduction to the mass on the jubilee was beautiful and comprehensive.  The aspirants’ choir was melodious and made the Mass truly solemn.  After the Mass the jubilarian was garlanded by Sr. Mary George U and memorial photos were clicked with all the sisters present.

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After this, all proceeded to the Mazzarello hall for the felicitation ceremony.  The boarding choir initiated the ceremony with a melodic jubilee song followed by a modern prayer dance ‘Jesu nam Pukare’.  The aspirants did a short musical on the historical vision of St. Mary Mazzarello,”I entrust them to you” connecting it with the life of Sr. Dorothy Gomes.  A hilarious comedy presented by the boarders made the hall fill with gales of laughter.  The little boarders took Sr. Dorothy back to  Chennai with their humorous lunki dance which is famous hit from the movie, ‘Chennai Express”  Sr. Dorothy addressed the assembly with the inspirational story, “”Don’t go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!” the programme came to a close with the vote of thanks by Sr. Stella, who shared her experience with Sr. Dorothy as a young sister and how she even now look up to her as her role model.  Every celebration is an experience, the external fades away, and the internal lingers and echoes in the most depth of our hearts. Today our hearts are filled with Gratitude and joy that over flows within us as we recall the path, Sr. Dorothy Gomes have travelled, in these 50 years in our Institute. We thank the Almighty for accompanying her in marvellous ways, all through these years and keeping her safe, healthy and productive in His vineyard.

INSTALLATION OF THE NEW ANIMATOR at Auxilium – Gobra

Jun28

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On 17th June 2017, at 3.30 pm during the prayer service, Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath solemnly installed Sr. Philomena Chirammal as the animator of Auxilium Gobra. Sr. Sadhana Majumder in her introduction reminded all present the Article 114 of our Constitutions that “Mary is the real Superior like her let every daughter of Mary Help of Christians called to the service of authority … Let her carry out her animation and guidance in the spirit of the preventive system attentive to each individual sister, seeking to create a climate of trust, sincerity and Salesian simplicity, encouraging the community, the apostolic enthusiasm of “Da Mihi Animas.” Then Sr. Provincial solemnly handed over the key of the tabernacle to Sr. Philomena.

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The community members joined together praising and thanking God for the newly appointed animator. Soon after the prayer service our little boarders greeted Sr. Superior with their melodious song. Sr. Rose gave a statue of Mary Help of Christians to Sr. Philomena as a token of love. The day was ended with full of joy and happiness praising and thanking God for the gift of Sr. Philomena Chirammal , as the animator of the community.

 

DB Tech – Barasat: 2nd Guest Lecture for Phase 6, Batch 1 (13th batch)

Jun28

 

On 15th June, 2017, Mr. Gopen Mondal (Area Relationship Manager of DTS) came to DB Tech Barasat to give his lecture on Hospitality. He gives placement in various hotels and hospitals like Tata Medical, ITC, JW Merriate, Medica Super Speciality Hospital.

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At 1:30 p.m. we started our programme by Sir Utpal Chakroborty, who introduced Mr. Gopen Mondal to everyone. He shared with students good experiences of his life. Later he explained the meaning of hospitality and about DTS Organisation . He said that DTS is a very big platform for the young people who can get the path of success after completion of the course if that student has the desire to go further in his future. Then he mentioned the importance of time in our life and why money is needed for a better life. He said that students shouldn’t waste their time by thinking unnecessary thing but should should utilize the time properly. After this he gave the chance to the students for asking questions about salary, increment and promotion. After the programme students were very happy and highly motivated. At the end Sir Asit Roy thanked Mr. Gopen Mondal for sharing his valuable thoughts and experience with the students.

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Hospitality Trainer

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HIV AIDS Awareness Programme

Jun28

On 14th  June Sir Bishwajit Mishra conducted a session on HIV AIDS to make the students of Don Bosco Tech Barasat Centre to become aware of it. First he explained about Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

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He explained in detail how it occurs. Following initial infection, a person may not notice any symptoms or may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. Typically, this is followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms.As the infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of common infections like tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic infections, and tumours that rarely affect people who have working immune systems.These late symptoms of infection are referred to as AIDS. This stage is often also associated with weight loss.

After that He mentioned the reason of HIV. HIV infection is spread from person to person when human blood and sexual fluids (semen and vaginal secretions) are shared. HIV can be transmitted through:

  • Unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral*)
  • Transfusion of contaminated blood
  • Sharing of contaminated needles used for injectable drugs
  • Sharing infected needles for tattoos and body piercing
  • Oral sex (the risk is small, though)
  • From HIV infected mother to her child during pregnancy, child birth or breast feeding

Then he showed a video on HIV AIDS. Over there everything the reason, effect of HIV AIDS was clearly mentioned. At the end he cautioned the students who are going work in hotel industry to be careful and aware.

 

Summer Camp held at Auxilium Convent School New Chumta

Jun10

 

From 21-22 May 2017, summer camp was held at Auxilium Convent School New Chumta for the students of class VI – X.  74 participants started the camp by entering into a moment of prayer experience animated by Sr. Inocencia Jojo the principal of the school on the theme “I am the light of the world” [Jn 8:12].

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During the prayer hour they shared spontaneously their reflections. One of them said: “as the string was connected to each other’ hands to make a net, in the same way they need to be united with Jesus so that they can become a light to the others”.  Soon after the prayer they were divided into seven groups.  Then the Bible quiz competitions, games, action songs were followed.  All took an active part and enjoyed to the full. The day came to an end with a solemn Sunday Mass celebrated by the Parish Priest Fr. Sanjay Kindo.

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On the second day of the camp, the participants started the day with short prayer. It was followed by the performance of Bible drama and solo singing completions.  All of them enjoyed seeing the Bible drama and they also deepened the various experiences of God’s call as experienced by selected personages from the Old and New Testament. At 11.00 a.m. they attended the Holy Mass and the celebrant was Fr. Yacob Kindo the Parish Priest of Garidhura. Lunch was provided at 12.30 p.m. by Sr. Theresa Vettuvazhiyil, the superior. After lunch the children participated in the interesting games & action songs.  This was followed by the prize distribution for the winners of the various competitions. Besides the prizes each one was gifted with a face towel given by Mr. Anil Sharma one of our well wisher from Siliguri.

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