PROJECT MORNESE – AN EXPERIANCE OF FAITH, JOY & FELLOWSHIP

Oct24

On 29th August 2013, Sr. Mini Mary Putharickal and I went to Rome to participate in the Mornese Project. These were the days of rich experience of our family spirit.

 The resource persons Srs. Moire, Edna Mary, Teresa Jojo and Fr. Joy SDB, the Chaplain and 34 sisters from 5 continents made the group of Mornese Project 2013. Our places of pilgrimage were Vatican City, Turin and Mornese.

 We were excited to visit Vatican, the Basilica of St. Peter the apostle where we had our first Mass celebrated as a group. In Rome, we visited catacombs, the major Basilicas and historical places. Later we moved towards our very own roots of Salesian spirituality.  We admired the Basilica of the Sacred Heart which Don Bosco built.

 In Turin we visited the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians which spoke of Don Bosco’s love for Madonna, Becchi where Don Bosco was born and spent his childhood. At Becchi everything spoke of Don Bosco and the hands of Mary who guided him in his zeal for young people. Later we moved to Chieri where Don Bosco spent his school life and the last days of his illness. In all places we spent our time in prayer.

 Our next destination was Mornese, the land of the bright sun, the sacred place of our foundress  St. Mary Dominica Mazzarello. It was a moving experience to gather around the  Mornese well. We had an enriching visit to the parish church where Mother Mazzarello grew up, to see the Baptismal font and to glance at the register where her name is inscribed. We visited “Mazzarelli” her birth place, Casa Immaculata and  river Roverno”. At the “Valponasca window” we spend the day in silence and prayer. The Animators reminded us of the words of Mother Mazzarello “It was here I learnt to work, pray, contemplate & serve with love”.

 We concluded our pilgrimage with the visit to Nizza where Don Bosco saw Our Lady walking in the house and renewed our commitment to the Lord in the room where Mother Mazzarello died.   In all the places we were helped to reflect the theological and spiritual journey of St. Mary Dominica Mazzarello.

We are sincerely grateful to the Congregation for this special gift given to us and to our dearest Sr. Maria Pettayil, our Provincial for giving us this rich and holy opportunity to drink deeply the spirit of our origin. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all the sisters of the province for accompanying us with your prayers.

 Sr. Alphonsa Kachappilly

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Welcome to Sr. Maria del Carmen Canales, the General Councilor for Youth Ministry at Mazzarello Convent, Ranchi

Oct20

The two days visit of Sr. Maria del Carmen Canales, General Councillor for Youth Ministry along with Sr. Runita Borja to Mazzarello Convent, Ranchi  brought immense joy to  160  young girls of Jumaikela, Ghutiapara and New Chumta. At the entrance she was accorded a traditional welcome. The novices intoned a melodious welcome song and led her to the chapel to sing the praises of Mary- the Magnificat.

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Once again a gorgeous welcome was given in the auditorium by the School Captain Yanina and the four House Captains. They marched with the flags to the rhythm of slow march, showers of glitters were showered, specially designed scarf and bouquet were offered and the students of Mazzarello Convent School sang the welcome song.

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Sr. Maria del Carmen, Sr. Runita Borja, Sr. Maria Pettayil, our Provincial, Sr. Rosalia Tirkey ,the youth coordinator of our province and a youth representative lit the Indian traditional lamp. Thereafter the students performed different dances like Assamese, Bengali, Nagpuri of Chotanagpur, Adivasi and Nepali.

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16th October began with Gospel sharing in groups. Fr. Shilanand  Kerketta SDB, the vice-provincial of Delhi province celebrated the Mass. In his homily, he exhorted the youth to celebrate and enjoy life in its fullness and at the same time to take their life seriously as they have to live to build a better future for themselves. He gave them some tips to overcome some of the difficulties they encounter in their growing years. He added that once life is ruined, it is difficult at times to rebuild again .Hence, he said, precaution must be taken.

The entire day was animated by Sr. Maria del Carmen. It began with the general assembly. Through the group work Sr. Maria del Carmen got the glimpse of our youth, understanding their hopes, dreams and anxiety. She viewed for them a clip of the World Youth day held at Rio de Janeiro. Meeting with the young people was concluded with the video “The Potter” which gave them the message of being generous in one’s life.

Sr. Maria del Carmen presented to the sisters and the teachers the FMA youth Ministry: An Organic Model based on GEM. She highlighted ‘The New Preventive System’ on which the Educational Project is based on four aspects: Social, Cultural, Communication  and Evangelisation which is interwoven with REASON, RELIGION AND LOVING KINDNESS. In the evening, the youth together with the sisters animated the Taize prayer. The day was concluded with Gospel Expression and Melody by the youth. The finale came when all the youth along with Sr. Maria del Carmen lit candles and prayed for peace, to make our world  a better place for all to live while the song “Heal the world” was sung. It was a historic event which the youth will ever cherish.

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Visit of Sr. Maria Del Carmen Canales, the General Councillor for Youth Ministry

Oct17

On 12th October 2013

The Auxilians and the educating community members of Auxilium Dum Dum braved rain and welcomed Rev. Sr. Maria del Carmen Canales, the General Councillor for youth Ministry. She was accorded a befitting welcome with the solemn blowing of the conch, aarti with traditional sieves, and folklore who accompanied Sr. Maria Canals from the gate to the chapel with an enchanting dance.

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13th October 2013

The day began with Morning Prayer based on the Liturgy of the day by Sr. Emilia Vaz, involving the assembly through the singing of the psalms and appropriate commentary.

The Morning session began with welcome address by Sr. Esther Rani Abraham, followed by the lighting of the lamp by Sr. Maria del Carmen Canales, The General Councillor for youth Pastoral, Sr. Maria Pettayil the Provincial, Sr. Ronita Borgia, the secretary of Sr. Maria del Carmen, Sr. Rosalia Tirkey and Sr. Esther Rani Abraham the provincial youth coordinators. The prayer moment was highlighted with the theme song of GC XXIII ‘Make your home in me’.   Sr. Rosalia Tirkey then presented a ppt on the youth pastoral sector of Kolkata province which was appreciated by Maria del Carmen and all the assembly.

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The two sessions delivered by Sr. Maria Del Carmen Canales were centering on: ‘I was entrusted with the gift of announcing the Gospel and The New evangelization as a pastoral priority’.

The salient points that emerged were:’ St. Paul as the great champion of Evangelisation, for him the announcing of the Gospel is the only the essential thing. Paul put his life at the complete disposal of Jesus and his message. We are called to do the same in our Educational field and nothing should deter us from doing this mandate given to us’

The second session highlighted, How we have to respond to the pastoral challenge like Don Bosco who was a pioneer in deciphering the signs of the times.  Don Bosco’s preventive system has unlimited potential and a safe criteria of a method open for continuous renovation allowing re-thinking and re-writing according to the sensibilities and cultures of the times.

Sr. Maria del Carmen concluded the session saying,’ Education should aim not only to impart quality Education but aim at vocational discernment and accompaniment’.

14th October 2013

A specially prepared Morning Prayer ushered the sisters to focus on our call as evangelizers of the young.

The morning sessions given by Sr. Maria del Carmen dealt on Youth Ministry: The Local youth Ministry, A presence that animates and Evangelizes.  FMA Youth Ministry – an Organic Model, so that all may have fullness of life.

The meeting concluded with group work, general assembly and short thanksgiving ceremony.

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Salesians study media, youth ministry

Oct17

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Mumbai: Salesian Communications delegates from all over India attending Don Bosco Communications South Asia meeting studied “Social Media and Salesian Youth Ministry.”

It was their annual study day, to be followed by general body meeting in the coming three days. The meeting held at Don Bosco Provincial House Matunga, Mumbai will conclude on 18th October.

Some 50 delegates from 11 Salesian provinces of India as well as a delegation of four Salesian Sisters are participating.

Special invitees at the gathering include president of Signis Western Region Jesuit Fr Ashok Vaghela.

First day started off with the study on the topic: “Social Media and Salesian Youth Ministry” by six presentations and the release of two books: “Press and Social Responsibility” by the Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference Office of Social Communications Office and Church’s Communications Institute NISCORT, Salesian Father Dr George Plathottam, and a value education book by senior Salesian Fr Elias Dias entitled “Petals and Pebbles.”

The day concluded with the prayer session during which the assembly prayed for religious workers and screened “A Homage to CRI India” curtain raiser film made for the Conference of Religious in India golden jubilee celebrations to be held at Guwahati, 7-9 November. A half hour feature film LAURA by Bangalore province was screened after dinner.

Second day is dedicated to taking stock of the media activities in the various provinces and planning for the preparations for Don Bosco’s birth centenary due in 2015. Also planned is the launch of Don Bosco YouTube Channel which will carry short films produced by various Don Bosco media centres.

First day meeting (Tuesday) started with the solemn Eucharistic celebration at the crypt chapel of Don Bosco’s Madonna shrine at Matunga presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes of Mumbai along with General Councilor for Social Communications Fr Filiberto Gonzalez from Rome. Also present was Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia representative provincial of Kolkata Fr Thomas Ellicherayil.

Mr Conrad Saldhana principal advisor to Don Bosco Centre for Learning, Kurla Mumbai gave the keynote address on the theme under study: “Social Media and Salesian Youth ministry.”

It was followed by another talk “Social Media: Challenges and Opportunities in Publishing” by Mr Yogesh Sahu, General Manager NE Mobile.

After lunch session had “Viral Marketing and Advertising, Strategies for Social Networks for Youth” by Nishad Ramachandran, Vice President, Hansa Cequity.

Media education practitioner Salesian Sr Phyllis Fernandes FMA, past President of Signis Western Region presented the FMA success story on “Media and Education” as syllabus for EduCommunication which is currently in place for classes 1 to 12 with 10 lessons plans for each class in Media Education. It is being implemented since 2012 in the FMA provinces in India.

Dr George Plathottam SDB, Secretary OSC-CBCI and Director of NISCORT, New Delhi presented “New Initiatives by the Church in India.” for Communication on Pastoral Leadership.

The daylong sessions concluded with “Social Media Secrets in Catholic Youth Ministry – 21st Century Catholicism” by Fr Ralin DeSouza SDB, director of BOSKON, Communications, Goa.

Published: 10:03 am, October 16, 2013 Story By: mattersindia.com, C.M. Paul