The INB Salesian Co-operators AGM was an impressive celebration which took off on Sunday 8th July 2018, in which 102 of us from all the FMA and SDB Units participated, despite the incessant and heavy rains the past two days and water logging in 
Mumbai.
We began with the Eucharist at 10 am in the Crypt of Don Bosco Shrine – Matunga. The well-animated Mass by the Wadala West Unit was presided over by Fr. Provincial Godfrey D’Souza with con-celebrants: Fr. Diego Nunes – Province Delegate of the Salesian Family, and local Delegates Fr. Ashley Miranda and Fr. Shekar Das who responded to the invites sent out by Mrs. Freida D’Souza, Councillor for Formation. Fr. Provincial, in his homily, refreshed our memories of the Salesian charism, a legacy left to us by Don Bosco.
After a cup of hot tea and snacks, delicately catered by Ms. Sudha Pillai and the Wadala East Unit, we made our way to the DB International School auditorium for the rest of the programme. Fr. Diego formally welcomed the Provincial who was presented with a floral bouquet by Mr. Dian D’Souza from the Virar Unit. Ms. Treffy D’Souza of the Andheri Unit warmly welcomed the huge gathering and in particular the Delegates, including Sr. Collette Gonsalves from the Laura Vicuna – Ahmednagar Unit, who were given roses by various Councillors of the Salesian Provincial Council.
Fr. Godfrey then enthusiastically spoke to us at length on the theme of their forthcoming General Chapter: What kind of Salesians for the Youth of Today? Emphasizing on one of the key topics, “Together with lay people in the Mission and Formation,” he expressed the need for the involvement of the Salesian Co-operators in our apostolate among the young. Fr. Diego thanked Fr. Godfrey for sharing so much family news.
Treffy again took up the mike to channel smoothly the rest of the programme, with Marie Rodrigues of the Borivali Unit, efficiently handling the LCD projector for various presentations. The latter read the previous AGM Report which was duly passed. The Annual Reports of the various FMA and SDB Units made us aware of diverse activities carried out, to learn from each other, the similar challenges we are facing and the efforts to increase membership. Mr. Christopher Gomes, Secretary of the Salesian Co-operators Province Council, presented the Financial Statement, in the absence of Mr. Anthony Estebeiro the Treasurer, who is recouping from a recent surgery.
Sr. Catherine Fernandes, FMA Delegate of the Salesian Family, displayed and discussed the Annual Calendar 2018-2019, which aroused keen interest in the audience. Fr. Diego highlighted and clarified about the Elections to be held shortly at the local and province level. The celebration drew to a close with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Sharon Preito D’Souza of the Bandra Unit, and the Prayer for the success of the V World Congress of Salesian Co-operators in Rome.