Freida D’Souza PUNE, OCTOBER 31, 2008: In the serene surroundings of Don Bosco Koregaon Park, Pune, 39 Salesian Cooperators from the Mumbai Province made their retreat from October 28 to 30. On the evening of October 28, Fr. Elias Diaz, Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family, warmly we
lcomed the Cooperators to this retreat and also introduced the preacher, Fr. Wilfred D’Souza. Being the season of Diwali, the retreat began with a power point presentation on the ‘Power of Light’. Fr. Wilfred then lit the lamp, after which all went out to enjoy the fireworks in the compound. On the first day of the retreat, Fr. Wilfred dwelt on the theme: The Salesian family in the Mission of the Church. Some of the topics he took up for reflection were: The Church for a New Evangelization, The Action of God’s Spirit, The Groups of the Salesian Family involved in the Ecclesial Mission, Aspects of the Apostolic Commitment of the Family of Don Bosco and A Mission particularly suited to Lay People. The evening was devoted to personal prayer, rosary and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. After dinner the film ‘Mission to Love’ was screened. The second day began with the celebration of the Eucharist. In his homily, Fr. Diaz pointed out that all are called to be holy and that we attain our holiness through the simple things we do in our daily lives. During the session in the morning Fr. Wilfred took up the theme of ‘Formation to the Apostolic Mission’. He stressed on three key words: Animation, Personalization and Assimilation. The topics he dealt with included: Working in Union, Formation Together, Being open to the personal and social context of the Young, Learning the method of Collaboration and the Specific Role of the Priest Formator. The retreat concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Claudina Pinto, the Provincial Coordinator. She thanked the preacher for the excellent insights he had shared with the group. The retreat has definitely helped the Cooperators better understand their mission within the Salesian Family.