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**** 24th December 2002 ***** Vol I. Issue No: 4 **** EDITORIAL Team: Frs. Jose Sequeira & Darryl D'Souza ------------------------------------------------------------------- CHRISTMAS IS A THE INCARNATION IS A GIFT OF GOD'S PRESENCE AMONG US. SALESIAN FEAST. THE MARK OF A SALESIAN IS HIS PRESENCE AMONG YOUTH AS A FRIEND AND GUIDE. Wishing you all from the Social Communication Commission a Happy Christmas and Joy-filled year 2003. Send news, views and comments about your apostolate and other issues to SDB West e-zine. Happy Reading. Warm regards, Frs. Jose and Darryl NEWS FROM AROUND THE PROVINCE SALESIANS OF THE MUMBAI PROVINCE BLESSED WITH TEN NEW PRIESTS by E-zine correspondent, Mumbai ------------------------------------------------------------- The Province of Mumbai received a gift of ten priests in December 2002. Dn. Anthony Clifford Lobo was ordained in Maputo, Africa. He had gone as a missionary to Africa during his theology years. Dn. Sanjay Lopes was ordained in Vasai near Bombay. Dns. Ranald Lopes, Joaquim Fernandes, Jerome John were ordained in the Shrine of Don Bosco's Madonna, Matunga (Bombay). Dns. Adrian Pinto, Joaquim Lobo and Cleophas Braganza were ordained in Don Bosco, Panjim (Goa). Dn. Anton D'souza was ordained in Don Bosco's, Nashik and Dn. Augustine Fernandes will be ordained in Don Bosco Parish, Kudal. Of these Frs. Cleophas Braganza and Anthony Clifford Lobo are missionaries in Africa. AIDS PROJECT IMPLEMENTED BY TEJ-PRASARINI GETS PRESIDENTS RECOGNITION by E-zine correspondent, Mumbai ---------------------------------------------------------- Mr.Ajay Kanchan, Project Incharge, UNICEF, Delhi, the one who conceived the Innovative Communication Project on HIV/AIDS received the President's Award from President Abdul Kalam in the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the World AIDS Day (1st December), in recognition for the innovative process of involving adolescents to talk to peers on HIV/AIDS. The project, in Mumbai Nodal centre was carried out under the supervision of Fr. Darryl D'Souza sdb, Director, Tej-Prasarini, Mr. Sanjay Jha, Film-maker at Tej-Prasarini in collaboration with 8 schools in Mumbai and active support from MDACS (Mumbai District Aids Control Society) and Unicef (Mumbai). In all, three Nodal centres formed the crux of this process: Don Bosco Youth Centre (Kohima), Delhi Public School (Delhi) and Tej-Prasarini Don Bosco Communications (Mumbai). The Process implied getting the active participation of schools in the vicinity. The students were taught the process of communication, given opportunities to meet doctors and HIV positive patients, devise questionnaires, conduct surveys of the awareness levels of HIV AIDS in their localities, and draw a television script based on the findings of their survey. The students are now preparing TV Advertisements and going to schools, colleges and community centres showing the films prepared and interacting with their own peers (Std. 9th and 10th). BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IN HONOUR OF FR. BENEDICT FURTADO AT PANJIM by Fr. Ralin De Souza, Panjim --------------------------------------------------- The 3rd All India Basketball Tournament in honour of late Fr. Benedict Furtado, a sports loving Salesian, was held in Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim from 7th to 10th November 2002. The Chief Guest Dr. Susan DeSouza (Director of Youth Affairs, Goa) proudly expressed her experience of the time when Fr. Furtado, though a very busy man, still found time to coach youth in Panjim where he built the first Basketball Court of Goa! The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) for the first time in their short three year history recognised this tournament. Prominent teams across the country participated in the event. Out of the tough competition, it was the vociferous CISF - Delhi who emerged victorious. The winners and the runners up received trophies and cash prises form the hands of the chief guest. TRAINING SEMINARS FOR LOCAL DELEGATES OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS HELD IN REGIONS by E-zine correspondent, Don Bosco Ganv, Quepem --------------------------------------------------------- The Local Delegates of Social Communications of the various houses in the Konkan Delegation, Mumbai and Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat met in their respective regions for an updating course on "The Role of Public Relations in Salesian Life" in keeping with the aim of the Social Communication Commission to conduct animating programmes in the four main regions of Mumbai Province namely Gujarat, Mumbai, Madhya Maharashtra and Konkan delegation. Goa: The programme for the day included a session by Mr. Lez Menezes, HRD, Goa Institute of Management who spoke on Communication and Public Relations. This was followed by another input by Mr. Frederick Noronha - a free lance reporter for the press in Goa. After the lunch session, the delegates met to discuss the programme for the year and set the five year Pastoral Plan for Communication for the Delegation. Mumbai: Input sessions were given by Mr. Krishna, Beaureau chief of The Week and Ms. Lina Mathias, Managing Editor, Combat Law. An excursion to Times of India Newspaper, Mumbai gave an fair idea of the process of news gathering till distribution and related things. Gujarat: The input sessions were given by Mr. Bandookwala, Presisdent of Union of Civil Liberties. An excursion to the Newspaper offices of Asian Age and Lokmat helped the delegates to interact with people involved daily with the news and opinion making. A CELEBRATION WITH A DIFFERENCE by Fr. Ralin De Souza, Panjim ------------------------------------------------------ Celebrating occasions mean grabbing time from our hectic schedules, rushing for a few moments of pleasure and driving back long distances to get back into the regular grind. But this time, thanks to Salesian Brother Frank Braganza, an occasion was created out of nothing. Each community in the Konkan received an invitation to the first ever football match, between the North Konkan and the South Konkan to be held on 15th October at 4pm. Everyone had a place in the team, be it a young scholastic or the veterans. The chief guest Bro. Ludvic and the guests of honour Fr. Olivio Miranda and Fr. Romulo, with a host of others took their seats and cheered themselves hoarse. A well set stage by the community of Fatorda, a real high tea, exquisitely decorated gardens, the football ground neatly marked, a brand new set of Jerseys for the match and a clear sky, what else could one ask for. It took the enthusiastic efforts of Fr. Richard, along with Fr. Sigmaringa and Fr. Kinley to bring the score to 4-1 putting the south off any contest. But it was all a matter of fun. Winners or losers, they enjoyed it together. Fr. George shot a video of the entire event. BR. ALEX GONSALVES RECEIVES SIMON PIMENTA WORKER AWARD by BGVK correspondent, Ahmednagar --------------------------------------------------- Br. Alex Gonsalves, Director of BGVK received ' Dr. Cardinal Simon Pimenta Worker Award' at Girij, Vasai (W) on October 6 in recognition of his work . Earlier this year, he received the Vanoshree Puraskar from the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, (BGVK) a Non Governmental Organisation run by Salesians works for rural development in Ahmednagar District since 1988. BGVK carries out activities like Watershed Development, Self Help Groups for Rural Women, Poultry and Goat Projects and such other income generating activities. Watershed Development Activities in 12 villages of Ahmednagar district has increased the irrigated area and agricultural production. For this, BGVK has done tree plantations, horticultural plantation, farm bunding and has constructed bunds and check dams. For the Women, BGVK has so far more than 50 Mahila Groups or Self Help Groups (SHG) engaged in money-saving, banking, poultry projects, goat rearing, and making household products. RURAL TRAINING CENTRE INAUGURATED AT KEDGAON by BGVK, Ahmednagar ------------------------------------------------------ Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK) inaugurated its new premises called 'The Rural Training Centre' at Kedgaon, Ahmednagar at the hands of the His Lordship Bp. Thomas Bhalerao, Bishop of Nashik diocese on December 7, 2002. Here, it has established a goat farm, poultry sheds, hatchery unit, veterinary unit and a feed unit. The centre will have class rooms and plans to conduct workshops for rural folk. The centre can board and lodge 60 persons at a time for training. The centre is an ideal place for training, demonstration and field research. This is a new and unique approach to development. Social workers and NGO's from Don Bosco and other organizations have an opportunity here to take advantage of. DISTRESSING REVELATIONS - KIDS BEAR THE OUTCOME Source: HERALD, Goa ---------------------------------------------------- A recent finding by Childline - a telephonic hotline (1098) for kids in distress - based in Don Bosco, Panjim, and revealed that children in Goa are traumatized not only by alcoholic parents but also by increasing marital problems. Fr. Francis Silvera, Director of Childline, speaking to the press reported that this is become very common as a number of marriages undergoing serious marital discord are increasing. Childline (1098) functions from Don Bosco's hostel with a staff of 11 members round the clock and looks after mainly North Goa geographical boundaries. The cases from the South are referred to Vikalp in Margao. According to Fr. Silveira, the organization receives about 30-35 direct intervention calls per day, but the number of "successful" cases are not available as the organization does not believes in closing the chapter on a particular case until the child attains maturity and even later if required. DON BOSCO CHOTA UDEPUR STEALS THE LIMELIGHT by Br. Ramesh, Don Bosco, Chota Udepur ----------------------------------------------------- The Students of Don Bosco, Chhotaudepur, created history of sorts when their boys 'under 14' hockey team, representing Vadodara, defeated Navsari 2-0 in a thrilling and fiercely contested final at the Don Bosco grounds. With this victory, Chhotaudepur became the first school that will represent the state of Gujarat at the national level in Delhi for both hockey and football. This becomes additionally important when it is known that most of the boys studying in the school are tribals who have now reached on the national level. INTER-RELIGIOUS MEET ORGANISED Source: Dainik Lokmat, Ahmednagar ----------------------------------------------------- On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Loyala Divyavani organized an inter-religious prayer service, a programme initiated by Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation and Lal Bahadur Shashtri. The aim of this service was to promote peace and communal harmony among the residents of Shrirampur. The programme was organized by Fr. Allwyn Misquitta, sdb who is now recognized for his preaching and inter-religious programmes in the villages of Ahmednagar district. 7 priests from different religions were present. The programme involved prayer and song along with declarations by the important dignitaries. SERIES OF ANIMATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF SALESIAN FAMILY by Fr. Elias Diaz, Salesian Family Desk, Mumbai --------------------------------------------------- Recollection cum walking pilgrimage for Salesian Corporators: 1st September 2002- Annual Recollection cum walking pilgrimage for Salesian Corporators. The Pali, Bandra centre hosted the programme. 63 Salesian Corporators participated. In the morning, Fr. Joseph Monteiro spoke on the topic: 'Our Witness and Our Blessed Mother'. A film on the 'Apparitions of our Blessed Mother' was screened and discussed. In the afternoon, the participants went on a walking pilgrimage to the Mount Mary Basilica. Salesian Corporators Retreat at Vinalayala: 13th to 15th September 2002- Annual retreat for the Salesian corporators at Vinalayala. 47 corporators were present. The preacher was Rev. Fr. Loddy Pires. The theme of the Retreat was 'God loves You' Fr. Loddy with his brilliant knowledge of Psychology and Spirituality focused attention on praying in humility before the Blessed Sacrament and reciting the Rosary that enhances devotion to our Blessed Mother. Animation programme for Lay Collaborators: 12th October 2002- A one day course for Lay Collaborators at the Provincial House. 52 collaborators from our different institutions attended the course. The topics dealt with were 'Enhancing Self Image and Conflict Management, Working in Collaboration with the Community, Youth situations and their problems and an Effective response towards our apostolate.' Frs. Cletus, Elias, Lionel and Stephen dwelt upon the different abovementioned topics. FR. JOAQUIM D'SOUZA VISITS GUJARAT by Cl. Claudius Misquitta, Baroda ---------------------------------------------------------- Rev. Fr. Joaquim D'Souza, Regional for South Asia, recently paid a visit to the Gujarat Region where he visited all the Don Bosco institutions in Gujarat especially spending more time in the new presences. In Baroda, he first addressed the school staff on the 'Emotional Growth of the Students', and then gave a conference to the Salesians, where he highlighted the plan of the congregation for the next five years. In Dakor, he was present for the closing ceremony of the training programme on Village Community Organization. In Jhabua, he visited the newly completed technical hostel, and also the various village development projects. At Amodar, near Baroda,where the school-going street children are housed, he praised the work that is being done through the street project, and expressed his hope that it will develop into a full-fledged project for marginalized youngsters, with all the required facilities. NEWS FROM OTHER PROVINCES a.. The Rector Major Fr. Pascual Chavez has appointed Fr. Jose Kuttianmattathil as the Provincial of the Bangalore Province and Fr. Charles Lobo as the Provincial of Delhi Province.We conguralate them and we wish them a happy and fruitful ministry. (Courtesy: Province dispatches) a.. Sr. Wilma D'souza has been re- elected as the Visiting Councillor for the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA). In 1996, the General Chapter elected her as Visiting Councillor. She is the first to come from the East. During the past six years, she visited the Provinces of India( except Bombay), one in Africa, three in Asia (the Philippines, South East Asia and Thailand) and one in Italy. In India, she followed the birth of the new Province of Guwahati in a particular way, after having discerned with the Sisters of Shillong. (Courtesy: FMA AMBITO CS) b.. In October 2002, some 30 members of the first group of British child migrants to arrive in Tasmania 50 years ago gathered at the weekend at Dominic College, Glenorchy, to express solidarity amongst themselves and with the Salesians. This gathering was billed as one of the most significant and happy reunions of the entire saga. The group had decided to gather at the place of their first landing in Australia, and where they had received Salesian care and education. This was a determined choice, since so many of them had kept in communication with 'Boys Town' (now Dominic College) and with the Salesians (Courtesty: Australiasia news). FORTHCOMING EVENTS a.. Shelter Don Bosco, Wadala will organise a cricket tournament for street children of Mumbai on 27th and 28th December 2002 on the Don Bosco Grounds, Matunga.. a.. Tej Prasarni, Don Bosco Communications will release a music album: ' I Celebrate You' in audio cassette and CD format on 31st December 2002 during the new year midnight mass. The lyrics are written by Fr. Peter Gonsalves,sdb. a.. Don Bosco Youth Services will hold the Youth Fest in the Don Bosco School Quadrangle, Matunga on 19th January 2003. The theme is: 'Change- Are You Ready?' --------------------------------------------------------- REQUEST Send us your e-mail address (house and personal if you wish to have a personal copy). The Local Social Communication delegates are requested to print the e-zine and put it up on the house notice board. Kindly send your news, views, and opinions on any topic/issue of your choice or that concerning the province to Tej-Prasarini ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) and cc to your regional delegates for social communication by 15 January 2003 for the next SDB West e-zine issue. Mumbai: Fr. Jose Sequeira [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gujarat: Fr. Noel Mathias [EMAIL PROTECTED] Konkan Delegation: Fr. Ralin DeSouza [EMAIL PROTECTED] Madhya Maharashtra: Fr. Allwyn Misquitta ---------------------------------------------------- WANT TO check out which mailing lists you could subscribe to? Send a blank email message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ======================================================================== Ongoing: Exhibition of paintings, Art Chamber, Calangute www.goa-art.com Dec 23-Jan 7: Dayanita Singh's photo exhibition, Art House Tel 2276123 Jan 18-19: International kite carnival at Morgim beach, Pernem ========================================================================