Archives

Life Skills Champion – DB Tech

Jul8

                        DB Tech.

Life skills champion training was organized by DB Tech India for the selected staff from the various parts of India. It was conducted at the Bangalore Provincial house from 2nd June -10th June by the Sky Blue. The following were the topics dwelt during the seminar.

The three pillars of Life Skills Champion:

  1. PERSONAL SKILLS –  Explore and know Thy Self
  2. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS – Working with Others
  3. LEADERSHIP SKILLS – Leading and Dealing with Self and Others

13 topics to make us Life Skills Champions are:

  • Perceptions and values
  • Goal setting
  • Decision Making
  • Team Work & Collaboration
  • Customer Service
  • Managing Time
  • Initiative & Drive
  • Self Esteem and Attitude
  • Handling Emotions
  • Communication Skills
  • Interviewing Skills
  • Gender Sensitivity
  • Managing Money

The training enriched the participants with various life skill activities, helped them to discover and develop the new initiatives and to prepare to cope up with challenges gracefully and positively. The ultimate change can come only from self and not from anywhere else ultimately I am responsible for my actions.Life Skills Champion could make the world a better place for themselves and for others.

Sr. Leelamma P.

 

Inauguration and Blessing

Jul4

On 28th June 2014, the long awaited day brought delight, excitement and surprises for the community of ‘Nirmala Niketan’, Jaigaon. The newly constructed residence of the sisters was officially blessed by Fr. Rajesh Barla, the parish priest of St. Mary’s Church,Mechia village and inaugurated by Provincial Sr. Maria Pettayil and Animator Sr. Annie Thevarkunnel in the presence of the Provincial Councilors, sisters from the neighboring communities of North Bengal, collaborators and the recipients of our mission.  The Holy Eucharist was the climax of the day. After which the assembly gathered in front of the residence for a short prayer service. Sr. Maria lighted the lamp, which was placed at the entrance of the house, reminding everyone that Jesus is the True Light ever present in the house where all are welcomed to experience His warmth and love. The memorable and joyous day was ended by invoking the blessings of Mary, the Immaculate Heart.

Sr. Pranati  S.

 

Inauguration of DB Tech – Gobra

Jun24

 After a long mobilization for DB Tech on Wednesday, 18th June became a historical day for Auxilium Promotional Centre, Gobra. With much joy we are able to inaugurate DB Tech in the presence of Sr. Francesca Ekka, Sr. Philomena, Sr. Sherley, Mrs. Satabdi, Sisters, Sir Bablu, Sir Mark and the students. Sr. Sherley, the centre coordinator, took the initiative of hosting the inauguration programme. The programme was consists of invoking the Holy Spirit, reading from the Bible, “We are the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World” and lighting of the Lamp by various representatives. It was followed by offering of prayer to God asking His blessing upon the students and their families. Superior Sr. Francesca encouraged the students and shared the life of Don Bosco, how he helped others and encouraged the youngsters to proceed towards their goal recalling the words of  Don Bosco ‘WORK, BREAD AND HEAVEN”. Mrs. Satabdi shared her few experiences at DB Tech and how she reached the position of a state coordinator from a simple trainer. Sr. Philomena Chirammal too welcomed the students and spoke on dignity of  hard work which brings joy and happiness. Mr. Mark, the teacher gave vote of thanks to all who were present and also shared his experiences of mobilization. The programme was concluded with the National Anthem.

Mr. Bablu

 

 

NEW TEACHERS SEMINAR ON DON BOSCO’S SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

Jun21

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Induction programme for new teachers was conducted on 15th June 2014 by Fr. Joe Arimpoor SDB (Director DBARK, New Delhi).He began by stressing on the need for an induction program in an institution stating that it prepares a teacher in tune with the institutions culture.

     Fr. Joe established a relation between knowledge and awareness which later leads to a greater insight and enables a person to deal with his problems. He laid stress on the need to read as THOSE WHO READ ARE THOSE WHO LEAD.

An  Auxilian teacher must know her students inside out. A good educator identifies the

hidden potentialities of a student and accompanies them to realize them. This identification

of potentialities can be done by the PASTORAL APPROACH as propagated by Don Bosco

good educator is like a good shepherd. He must possess the following seven qualities:

  1. Know his student deeply.
  2. Be present everywhere.
  3. Lead them towards greener pastures.
  4. Protect the sheep.
  5. Run after the lost sheep.
  6. Make sacrifices.
  7. Lay down his life.

Fr. Joe laid stress on the presence of teachers and sisters with the students at all times which must be corrective, directive appreciating, encouraging and animating presence.

An educator must just not be a certified teacher but also a qualified one. She must know how to lead to draw out and to develop the students. He continued by drawing the difference between discipline and culture of discipline. Discipline is by force and external while culture of discipline is internal and based on conviction, values and principles. Thus he tried motivating the teachers to move from the practice of punishment and reward to Reason, Love and God. The teachers were then given a list of instructions from Don Bosco to the Educators and in a group the teachers were asked to identify the 3 most and 3 least practiced exercises.

Auxilian school culture was also discussed in detail. Culture was defined as the integration of values, beliefs, attitude, spirit, style, tradition and rules.

On 16th June 2014 the seminar for all the teachers was conducted and it was based on Auxilium School Culture. The workshop was informative and was conducted in a very enthusiastic way by the resource person who with the help of anecdotes, examples and his own personal experience made the workshop participative and interesting one.

 By Ms.Sunita Singh

 

 

Unexpected cyclone attack

Jun21

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On 8th June 2014, is an unforgettable day for ‘Vicuna Nivas, Jumaikela and the surrounding areas.   At 2.00 p. m unexpectedly cyclone attacked this area. It was short but the disaster was great. It turned and twisted the trees and its branches and uprooted huge trees in the playground and in the garden. Play ground was looking like a battle field. In the neighbourhood walls were thrown down and the houses were blown off. There was heavy rain fall accompanied by hail stones, lightening and thundering. The situation was very frightening.  Student’s cycle shed also destroyed as the branches fell on it. The rain lasted till 4 p.m.  The disaster of our garden was greater. All the fruit trees and the fruits were ruined. Mangoes were full under the tree, most of the banana trees were broken with its tender fruits, huge mulberry tree was uprooted and the Jamun trees laden with unripe fruits branches were down to the ground. The Primary student’s midday meal kitchen was down on the ground. Situation was heart breaking. First time such a disaster happened in this area.  Seeing all these two boarders Sashikanta and Niketa Xalxo exclaimed in the words of Job; “The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Let us praise the name of the Lord”. We thank the Almighty for protecting our lives and saving us from greater disasters.

Sr. Shanti Tirkey

DB Tech (BASE) inaugurated at Auxilium Promotional Center, Barasat

Jun11

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The 1st batch of BASE (Bosco Academy of Skill And Employment) at Auxilium Convent Promotional Center Barasat, for Hospitality (Housekeeping & Food & Beverage) & Retail Management kicked off with its 5 days orientation programme on 2nd June 2014. It will continue for the next 90 days and thereafter.

The solemn inauguration of the three months course took place on 4th June at 9.30 am during a meaningful prayer service with 20 enthusiastic young men and women who have been enrolled so far. The program started with the welcoming of the Students and the Sisters by Sr. Sherley  K. The Prayer song “WELCOME HOLY SPIRIT” created a suitable atmosphere for the inaugural prayer. Then a short passage was readout from the Bible by Sr. Sherley. It was followed by the “Lighting of Lamp” by Sr. Teresa A, Sr. Lily P, Trainers and a student. While the Lighting of the Lamp was going on the Students sang a song “Jyoti se Jyoti Jalao”. Two of the students Deborshi and Joysree read out a prayer each. All present joined in the prayer “Our Father In Heaven”. Sr. Teresa addressed the students and encouraged them to profit the maximum from the training program. Sr. Lily P. expressed her joy in having the students in Auxilium. She also explained to them about the benefits of this job placement training program which would help them to build a bright future after completing the course from DB Tech. and invited them to be a light that gives hope for many others around them.. A Power Point Presentation was shown to all present in the hall to highlight the importance of the training at BASE. A song on DON BOSCO was played on the Screen which showed who was Don Bosco and what he wanted to do for the Youth.   Sr. Sherley gave a Vote of Thanks to all the Sisters, Students and the Trainers. The  program ended with a short prayer “PRAISE HIM”..

Team Auxilium Barasat.

THE FIRST PROFESSION

May28

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The long awaited day came for the 8 second year novices to say their first “yes” to God. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist began at 6.30 am which lasted for two and half hours. The novices Kharpran  Restitula, Mosang  Lemnom, Nayak  Ranjita, Nayak  Rinki, Sabhasundar Namita, Sabhasundar Pranati Manjari, Tete  Rasni, Thapa Dominica Josephine were led to the altar with an entrance dance accompanied by  Sr. Rose Ezarath, the novices Mistress, the main celebrant Rev. Fr. Hilarius Kulllu SDB, the Rector of Don Bosco Kokar, nine other priests and their parents.

Fr. Hilarius in his homily highlighted the cost of discipleship. He said that each one of us have been consecrated at our baptism and we enjoy as being God’s children. He also spoke about our finding of Jesus. In order to respond to His call we need to know who is Christ for me? Unless and until we find in Jesus the beloved, whom God the Father calls ‘this is my beloved Son’ we can’t be His disciples. We need to focus our attention on our belovedness. The love of Jesus is like a fine pearl, to attain this, one should be ready to sell everything in order to purchase this pearl. He continued further that our work as a Daughters of Mary Help of Christians should be mission oriented. It is fulfilled by working for the poor and the needy young people. It is by doing good that we become good. It is by giving justice that we become just. It is by being with the oppressed that we become joyful.

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Provincial Sr. Maria Petttayil accepted the vows of the novices and welcomed them into the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with a garland. The newly professed sisters with great joy glorified God through their rhythmic steps. After the Holy Eucharistic celebration felicitation followed.

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Sr. Prema Francis

 

“Here I am you called me.”

May26

                                          Final Profession

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 Thank  You Lord  for  their  generous “Yes” 

                                           First Profession

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Called to be an instrument of His love.    

                          Renewal at  Sacred Heart Novitiate  Ranchi

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 My soul  magnifies the Lord !

Triple feasts celebrated at Barasat -St. Domenic Savio, Mother Mazzarello and Rabindra Nath Tagore

May12

 

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Celebrations are part and partial of our academic calendar. And month of May brings varieties of celebrations; St. Domenic Savio,       St. Mary Mazzarello, Rabindra Jayanti. Auxilium Convent School Barasat celebrated all these feasts with much vigor and enthusiasm. The feast was anticipated on 9th May 2014. Both primary and high school celebrations were meaningful and colourful. High school stated with lighting the lamp and invoking God’s blessings upon the gathering and offering garlands to the portraits of St. Domenic Savio, St. Mary Mazzarello and Rabindra Nath Tagore. The houses blue and green whose patron saints were commemorated with power point presentations on their lives, songs, skits and to add more colour to the celebration the thrilling dances were performed on the stage. Music club was in-charge for Rabindranath Jayanti and through short video clip, poetry and songs were presented to make the day a memorable one.

Primary school also had songs, skits and dances etc to celebrate their respective house’s patron’s saints feasts. The literary club organized the inter house elocution competition of classes I – V for the occasion of Rabindra Nath Jayanti. The participants of four houses then recited poems written by him.

At the end of the celebrations Sr. Teresa Adampakallel, the animator congratulated them for their wonderful performance starting with the invitation cards. She also appreciated and awarded those who had prepared the invitation cards with some pictures because it were true arts of future artists. In her concluding message she invited the teachers and students to imitate their virtues and strive to be great in the sight of God like St. Domenic Savio, Mother Mazzarello and Rabindra Nath Tagore. She also appreciated the rich cultures – art and music of Bengal and thanked them for keeping up the tradition so well.

The Feast of St. Mary Mazzarello

The long awaited feast of St. Mary Mazzarello was celebrated on 10th May 2014 at Auxilium Convent Barasat. The sisters had a meaningful Morning Prayer and meditation on St. Mary Mazzarello’s letters and recommendations. In the evening at 6.30 pm the Holy Mass was celebrated. Rev. Fr. Mani SDB the director of Don Bosco Technical School Krishnagar was the main celebrant. Rev. Fr. Sunil Kujur from Minor seminary and Rev. Fr. Aloysius Carvalho from Arunoday were the con celebrants. Many sisters from neighboring communities, some staff members and family members of our workers were present. The entrance dance by the boarders to lead the celebrants to the altar, introduction to the Mass on St. Mary Mazzarello, prayer of the faithful and meaningful and melodious singing made the participation of Mass more prayerful and meaningful one. In his vibrant homily Rev. Fr. Mani highlighted the virtues of St. Mary Mazzarello: her tremendous trust in God, love for Eucharist, simple and humble life, her able leadership as the first superior general which enabled to expand the mission to far away countries. He also compared the life of St. Mary Mazzarello with the life of St. Paul who, once experienced the Lord and spent his whole life to proclaim the Good News. So also St. Mary Mazzarello spent her entire life in service of Him and His people. He also explained some of the means to follow the example of Mather Mazzarello: Approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently to receive the grace of God, fasting and praying the whole Rosary to overcome the power of evil one.

After the Holy Eucharist there was a get together in Auxilium Aspirantate refectory.  Before meal Sr. Teresa Adampakallel thanked everyone for coming and sharing our joys with us on the feast of our co-foundress. The celebration came to an end with so much of joy and contentment. 

 Sr. Basanti fma 

 

THE ANNUAL ANIMATION DAY AT DON BOSCO LILUAH

May10

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The month of April with the rising up the degree of heat day by day, tested our strength of mind and body.  With cool showers we felt the joy of singing the acclamation of joy all the more befitting to the season of Easter and entered into a new month –month of May with all the events which holds in it.

It is with great joy and rejuvenating spirit that the FMA Past Pupils welcomed the invitation from the National president and the World Councillor Mr. Tikmany to join the ‘Animation Meet’ with the SDB Past Pupils in Don Bosco Liluah on 4th May 2014. With the feeling of oneness looking up to the same horizon, the children of the same father Don Bosco expressed their joy and thrill when meeting and greeting each other. It was a great delight to see the bond of love and relationship among the members even though they vary in age and time when they enjoyed their school life.  As the programme began Rev. Fr. Joseph Pathickal, the Provincial Delegate of the Federation of Don Bosco Past Pupils warmly welcomed the members of the different Units who gathered for this occasion.  He drew the attention of the audience to think of the ‘new leadership’- a new Pope, a new Rector Major, new Provincial, new elections for our country and for the Association too which will take place this year.  The visit of Don Bosco’s relic brought a great impact all over the world.  His relic visit can be taken as a preparation for the bicentenary celebration of his birth 2015.  He invited the members to know Don Bosco more, study him more and follow him even when meeting with difficulties.  He wanted our life to be a celebration to live with enthusiasm by doing the maximum for others, keeping Don Bosco as the centre and imitate him in making young people as the centre of our life.  By saying this he handed over the mike to Rev. Fr. Biji Thomas the Rector of DBL, the resource person who spoke about the spirituality of Don Bosco so beautifully. He said Don Bosco became famous not for his work but for his sanctity. His holiness comes from God. He is a saint for the simple reason he takes his holiness from God and he shared with others. The spirituality of the Salesions is nothing else but charity-love that was his holiness. ‘Da mihi Animas Cetera tolle’ was explained with biblical quotations.  Past Pupils do a lot of good works and people benefit a lot from all that they do but one thing cannot be forgotten that importance is to be given to save our souls and the souls of others. Activities and movements will call for criticism. Don’t be afraid to go ahead in doing  good.  God loves us so much, how can we keep this love only for us we should share it with others.  It is not in giving but in being and involved for the welfare of others we exercise our charity.  Our hearts must be free from grudge, jealousy, unforgiveness and other evils.  Salesian Spirituality must be seen in us by our family members, in the community where we live, in our work place and wherever we are.  Every position, every action, everything we do is to be directed to save souls. That was Don Bosco’s way and his spirituality.

With showers of appreciation for the institution and cherishing the memories of the ones who shaped their lives there was lot of interactions and sharing of views and ideas.  The meeting came to a halt with a sumptuous meal which also added the occasion to share more with the batches of their own as well as building up the bonds with others.

Explaining the spirituality of Don Bosco to a mixed group of people who belong to different religion and culture was made so simple and palatable by Rev.Fr.Biji and we learnt a lot. We were reminded very strongly the reason for our being in the association. We did realize that we need to improve the quality of our thoughts and provide right direction to our thoughts, attitudes and way of life.

 Sr. Elizabeth Joseph (Federation Delegate)