by Father Christopher George
KAPADVANJ, JANUARY 29, 2019: ‘Salesian Parents’ Day’, a gathering of parents and family members of the native Salesians from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh was celebrated at the Don Bosco Campus, Kapadvanj on January 27. The theme ‘Holiness for You Too’ was celebrated with 55 enthusiastic participants, not counting children and the Salesians.
A wonderful expression of Salesian Family spirit, this fellowship gathering provided a good chance for the Salesian confreres to express their gratitude to their parents. Father Mayank Parmar, Rector-Parish Priest of Don Bosco Kapadvanj welco
med the participants in the name of the Salesians and invited the mothers of the Salesians to light the lamp and commence the celebrations.
Father Ashwin Macwan compeering the programme asked the parents and family members to feel at home since they were amidst their sons who were trying to be faithful to the mission and vision of Don Bosco. Father Dinesh Vasava originally hailing from the south Gujarat tribal belt conducted a session of ice-breakers and action songs to enliven the proceedings.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration at noon was presided over by the newly ordained, Father Justus Mendis, Principal of Don Bosco English Medium School Dakor, while Father Parmar shared the homily reflection on the day’s Gospel drawing examples from daily lives.
Father Kansinh Mathew Katara, a native Bhil hailing from Rajasthan, currently serving as an administrator at Don Bosco Dakor gave a rousing speech in Hindi with a powerpoint presentation, focusing on the life and work of Don Bosco who invited his mother, Mamma Margaret and other parents to collaborate in his initiatives for the young.
Father Pravin Makwana, currently serving as an administrator at Don Bosco Kawant, speaking in Gujarati, emphasised the life of the parents of Don Bosco. He presented the noteworthy qualities of Mamma Margaret citing examples and anecdotes about her experience with the boys at the Oratory of Don Bosco.
The celebration comprised native Bhil and Gujarati Salesians and their family in traditional colourful attire, who were very pleased with the work done by the Salesians across the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan in Western Central India. The Salesian mission here comprising Self Help Groups, schools, oratory centres, boarding/hostel facilities, human rights interventions, catechetical production and dissemination, and youth development programmes are well appreciated by the families and relatives.
The celebration concluded with the Salesians and their parents pledging to live up to the Strenna 2019 of the Rector Major 'Holiness for You Too', in selfless loving of the other in their daily lives, witnessing to the Good News in the highly polarised religio-political times. K. C. Mal, the dad of Father Ashwin Mal, hailing from Jhabua District in Madhya Pradesh said, “Hope this celebration of the Don Bosco movement will help us as parents and you our sons to be able to influence more vocations for the Salesian Congregation.”
#holinessforyoutoo