BIS Mumbai
BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3335
PRAYING AND LEARNING FOR PASTORAL EFFECTIVENESS
Pastoral Council team
NASHIK-MAHARASHTRA, JANUARY 24, 2013: The Parish Pastoral Council of Don Bosco Parish 
Nashik had an animation program on January 20, 2013 at Devlali. Fr. Bastin Thomas and eleven other members (area leaders and religious) began their journey at 10 am in the morning for Devlali Camp to spend the day building bonds of togetherness and receiving inputs on motivation and the importance of prayer.
The first part of the morning began with the Eucharist celebrated by our parish priest Fr. Bastin. we spent time to pray and reflect on the Word of God. Taking the wonderfully appropriate second reading in which Paul asks the Christian community of Corinth to recognize the gifts of the Spirit and to share them for building up of the community. Fr. Bastin reflected on the various gifts which exist among the people of God and how the parish pastoral council members need to identify and build them all for the greater glory of God and the service of the community.
After a hot cup of soup served to us by the novitiate community of the Franciscan Hospitallers of Immaculate Conception (FHIC) Sisters at their convent the next two hours were dedicated to reflecting on motivation, self-esteem, building good habits and recognizing the importance of prayer and daily meditation in our lives as leaders.
Interesting insights were shared by Mr Jones Solomon and others present using diverse 'gurus' such as Shiv Khera, Stephen Covey and others. The central focus was to use corporate and management insights to build more vibrant leaders among us and to motivate our communities and zones towards better and vibrant Christian living.
After the 'business' part of the program it was time to relax and we made our way to the parish rectory of St. Patrick's Church Devlali to enjoy a tasty meal prepared through the kindness of Fr. Peter D'souza the parish priest.
The leisurely lunch was followed by a visit to the Artillery Museum in the Cantonment. A game of housie kept us busy till the museum opened and then it was time to take in the amazing exhibits on artillery and missiles that India has developed.
After viewing the displays it was time to return home - back to the parish - with a rejuvenated determination to serve and lead our brothers and sisters in the Don Bosco Parish. Our special thanks to Fr. Bastin and his close collaborators who organised the day and created the ideal atmosphere to pray, learn and relax together.
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