MUMBAI SALESIAN CO-OPERATORS ANNUAL MEET
by BIS Correspondent
MUMBAI, JUNE 10, 2015: The rights of children and the Salesian Family Congress – slated to take place later this year – were up for discussion as 83 Salesian Co-operators of the Mumbai Province met for their annual governing body meeting at the St. Joseph High School, Wadala on July 5.
Representatives from Pune, Nerul, Kurla, Virar, Borivli, Andheri, Bandra, Matunga and three delegates each from the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters were present for the meeting to discuss programs and activities held at the Provincial level this year and plan for the coming year.
Father Savio Silveira, the Vice-Provincial of the Mumbai Province, celebrated the holy Eucharist before discussions began. In his homily, he exhorted the cooperators to take their vocation seriously, to live the Spirit of Don Bosco and to make a concerted effort to work with the young and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Father Vivian D'Souza, the Provincial Delegate addressed the gathering about a fund raising program for the forthcoming Salesian Family Congress to be held in Kolkata from September 26 to 28. He proposed that as part of the bicentenary celebrations for the birth of Don Bosco, a seminar on the 'Rights of Children' should be held. Members agreed to have the seminar on August 2.
Father Ajoy Fernandes briefed the members on the forthcoming Provincial Chapter and asked them to pray and work with their institutions to plan for this Chapter.
Father McEnroe Lopes joined in and spoke about the vocation strategy adopted by the Province to work towards a deeper understanding of the Salesian vocation.
The Treasurer, Anthony Estebeiro then read out the Financial Statement for the year, which was in turn passed by the delegates.
Sharon D'Souza, the co-ordinator, gave the audience a gist of the reports from various units and pointed out the salient features present there. She also presented a review of the programs and activities held at the Provincial level, and the proposed program for the coming year.
Members were also asked to complete their elections - at the local level - by the end of October, so that Provincial elections could be held by November, in time to host the South Asian Cooperators Conference in the Province at the end of January.