Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Sing to Him, yes sing His Praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds (Psalm 105).
Anitha Arickswamy, Daphne Carvalho and Sharon Sarita Burkman, can repeatedly say with immense gratitude the God has done great things for us. He accompanied them in the past three years to become Salesian Co-operators and will continue to lead them onwards. Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello have called them to imitate them and glorify Jesus in all that we do. They are grateful to Sr. Teresa Vettical, Superior and local delegate, the members of our unit specially Annette Alvares, Co-operators and co-ordinators of other Units and Council members for building up the spiritual faith in the virtual meetings (in spite of the lockdown) and physical retreats, outreach programmes, different prayer services animations conducted.
26th February 2022, a Saturday was a memorable day for us as our three aspirants took their promise to become Salesian Co-operators. After 3 years of Formation and accompaniment, all of them walked down the aisle accompanied by Rev. Fr. Diego Nunes SDB, celebrant and provincial delegate SDB, Sr. Meena D’Silva FMA,Provincial, Sr. Catherine Fernandes, FMA Delegate and Sr. Teresa Vettical, local delegate.
The Eucharist was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Diego Nunes in a well decorated school hall of Auxilium Convent, Pali Hill, Bandra. The backdrop of Don Bosco in his workshop and the strenna of this year 2022 “Do all through Love, Nothing through constraint”, St. Francis de Sales especially put up by the Sisters of Auxilium Convent lent an aura of holiness and spirituality to the occasion. The homily by Fr. Diego motivated them to carry on the mission of Don Bosco and live spiritual lives. He explained the aim, obligations, advantages and religious practices etc.
After the homily, Annette our Co-ordinator of Bandra unit renewed our admittance to be Salesian Co-operators and with a well decorated lit candle, in the presence of Father, Sisters, Co-operators and family members, they took their promise and were admitted to the Association of Salesian Co-operators. Then had to sign the promise sheets at the Altar which was counter signed by Jacinta D’Souza, provincial coordinator of Salesian Family. The other co-operators in the congregation too renewed their promise. Before the final blessings, they thanked Father, Sisters, council members, Co-operators and family members for their support, prayers and co-operation in making this day possible for us. They expressed their grateful thanks to Sr.Teresa Vettical for the 2 years of accompaniment and all the arrangements done for the Promise day of the new members.
Later the hall was quickly converted into a festive atmosphere, wherein the celebration began. After they cut the cake and were felicitated with blessings and gifts. This was followed by a game of Housie, with prizes galore. The next community game brought a lot of sharing and joyful participation as the 4 groups answered a quiz on Don Bosco’s Life and Mother Mazzarello, conducted by Sr. Judy Gaikwad and her team. This was followed by the sumptuous lunch by Errol Netto Caterers satiated our taste buds. This memorable day ended with joy and happiness as they felt they are now missionaries of Don Bosco ready to go out into the world.
Congratulations to our 3 newly Promised members of Salesian co-operators of Auxilium Pali,Bandra.