Leon Ratinam sdb ANDHERI, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008: Dominic Savio Boys’ Home witnessed a very significant event on the evening of September 12 – the sendoff given to Br. 
Pradeep Dias who is on his way to serve in the distant country of Hungary. Fr. Michael Fernandes, Provincial, was the principal celebrant at the Eucharist and he was joined by members of the Provincial Council and some 20 other Salesian priests from various parts of the province. Present also were Br. Pradeep’s parents, family and relatives. Introducing the occasion, Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, Rector, said that a century ago Salesian missionaries from Europe had come to India to work in this country. Now, said Fr. Ajoy, is pay back time, the time for India to send Salesians to work in Europe. Delivering the homily, Fr. Provincial reminded the congregation that Vatican II has declared that every Christian is called to be a missionary – a person who spreads goodness all around. He focused his attention on the family and pointed out that it is within this ‘domestic church’ that we learn our first le
ssons on sharing ‘good news’. The goodness shown by the parents to the children motivates the children to go out and be good towards others. In conclusion to the homily, the Provincial called Br. Pradeep forward and asked him to share the reasons for the choice he had made. Responding to this, Br. Pradep said that the Italian Salesians who had laboured in our province had always been an inspiration to him and this had motivated him to offer himself to work in a foreign country. He added that initially his family was unhappy with this decision, but later they had supported him wholeheartedly. During the felicitation programme that followed, the boys of Dominic Savio while bidding farewell to Br. Pradeep, also expressed their gratitude to him. “Sometimes you need a dare devil in God’s Kingdom and Br. Pradeep is definitely one”, said a young boarder giving the farewell speech. They thanked him for the two years that he had spent in their midst. “You were always the centre of fun and good cheer, and we will miss you a lot”, they said. Speaking on behalf of the family his sister said that it was a moment of mixed feelings for them. “We feel a great sense of 
pride and joy that Pradeep is taking this step, but we also feel sad that he is leaving us and going to a distant country”, she said. She wished him good luck and God’s blessings and assured him that at home they would remember him constantly and accompany him with their prayers. “Goodbye and hope to see you again soon”, she concluded. Br. Pradeep left in the early hours of this morning for Rome from where he will proceed to Hungary. Cheers to you Pradeep, you have done us proud!
Pradeep Dias who is on his way to serve in the distant country of Hungary. Fr. Michael Fernandes, Provincial, was the principal celebrant at the Eucharist and he was joined by members of the Provincial Council and some 20 other Salesian priests from various parts of the province. Present also were Br. Pradeep’s parents, family and relatives. Introducing the occasion, Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, Rector, said that a century ago Salesian missionaries from Europe had come to India to work in this country. Now, said Fr. Ajoy, is pay back time, the time for India to send Salesians to work in Europe. Delivering the homily, Fr. Provincial reminded the congregation that Vatican II has declared that every Christian is called to be a missionary – a person who spreads goodness all around. He focused his attention on the family and pointed out that it is within this ‘domestic church’ that we learn our first le
ssons on sharing ‘good news’. The goodness shown by the parents to the children motivates the children to go out and be good towards others. In conclusion to the homily, the Provincial called Br. Pradeep forward and asked him to share the reasons for the choice he had made. Responding to this, Br. Pradep said that the Italian Salesians who had laboured in our province had always been an inspiration to him and this had motivated him to offer himself to work in a foreign country. He added that initially his family was unhappy with this decision, but later they had supported him wholeheartedly. During the felicitation programme that followed, the boys of Dominic Savio while bidding farewell to Br. Pradeep, also expressed their gratitude to him. “Sometimes you need a dare devil in God’s Kingdom and Br. Pradeep is definitely one”, said a young boarder giving the farewell speech. They thanked him for the two years that he had spent in their midst. “You were always the centre of fun and good cheer, and we will miss you a lot”, they said. Speaking on behalf of the family his sister said that it was a moment of mixed feelings for them. “We feel a great sense of 
pride and joy that Pradeep is taking this step, but we also feel sad that he is leaving us and going to a distant country”, she said. She wished him good luck and God’s blessings and assured him that at home they would remember him constantly and accompany him with their prayers. “Goodbye and hope to see you again soon”, she concluded. Br. Pradeep left in the early hours of this morning for Rome from where he will proceed to Hungary. Cheers to you Pradeep, you have done us proud!