An enriching one day workshop was organized at the Province level at Auxilium Dum Dum on 30^th March 2014. The resource person for the day was Rev. Fr. Gerald D’Souza SJ from Dhanbad. 43 sisters participated in the meeting.

Through a captivating power point presentation Fr. Gerry touched on three important issues of the day namely: Minority Educational Institutions, Right to Education Act 2002 and Right to Information Act 2005. He brought to the awareness of the participants the essential elements of these three themes. He urged all the participants to have an updated knowledge of these documents to implement the clauses and to safe guard the right of the minority Institutions as per Article 29 and 30 of our Indian Constitutions.

Fr. Gerry briefed the sisters about the registered society – its powers, duties, meetings, objectives and the memorandum of the society. This input session was extremely informative and enabled all the participants to have a thorough knowledge of the norms and bye laws of the registered society. The participants expressed their gratitude to Fr. Gerry and the province.

Sr. Elizabeth Makil

On 7th November 2013 Fr. Pascual Chavez Villanueva the ninth successor of Don Bosco was given a warm welcome in the Provincial house Auxilium  Dum Dum.  Along with him were present Fr. Maria Arokiam Regional Councillor for South Asia, Fr. Juan J. Bartolome Secretary to Rector Major, Fr. Thomas Ellicherail Provincial, Fr. Jose Pampadiyil Vice provincial, Fr. Joseph Manianchira Provincial Economer and Fr. I.C. Jacob Rector of Nitika.

Sisters from seven nearby communities, Sisters of Mary Immaculate, religious from neighbourhood, teachers, students and parishioners accorded a warm welcome with an enchanting adivasi dance.  Bouquets were offered to Rector Major and other eminent guests.

Before the commencement of the Eucharistic celebration in an introduction Rector Major was thanked for his dynamic and paternal presence and prayed for God’s blessings upon him to become channel of God’s love to the young and a builder of communion in the Salesian family.

In his homily he invited the assembly to entrust themselves to Mary citing to the dream of Don Bosco at the age of nine. Referring to the Gospel “the Wedding feast at Cana” he invited the assembly to learn at the school of Cana the four important attitudes for our life as believers from Mary: To share the ups and downs of men and women, to be attentive to the needs of others, to discern the presence of Jesus and to be believers who are credible.

Rector Major, after a group photo and breakfast in his talk to the sisters he exhorted them to prepare the youth for tomorrow since it is our task and duty and to renew our faith and consecration to the Lord.   He urged the sisters to invite frankly and courageously the young people to follow Jesus.

Before his departure to the airport he also met the school children of Auxilium Dum Dum. In his message he invited the students to be positive, optimistic and to believe in themselves; to take their education seriously to face the life which is hard to prepare them, to take opportunities to develop their talents to be honest citizens and good Christians and to have a dream to accomplish great things.

AUXILIUM DUM DUM :  A bright day was dawned for the little ones of Dum Dum Correctional Home on 4^th November 2013.  Under the leadership of Sr. Mary John, Sr. Mini, four parent volunteers and a group of school children visited the Dum Dum  prison for the  inauguration of a little school for the children of the inmates.

Eminent Police officers were present for the inauguration of the school to encourage and support the new venture.  One of the volunteers Ms. Gitanjali offered uniform for all the children who will be attending the school from 11^th November 2013.

School children performed two dances and a song in order to felicitate the invited officials. All were felicitated with a bouquet of flowers by the children of correctional Home. Everyone appreciated and encouraged the sisters and the volunteers for taking up such initiatives.

We are thankful to Fr. Scaria Nedumattathil SDB, for opening new avenues to be a beacon of light for the less fortunate of the society.

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.

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.

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.

16^th 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.