BIS #2152 SALESIAN FAMILY OUTREACH PROGRAM

Claudina Pinto
THANE, NOVEMBER 29, 2010: The members of the Salesian family went for an outreach program to Bosco Samaj Vikas Sanstha at Jawahar, Thane district on Sunday November 28, 2010. Bosco Samaj Vikas Sanstha is a social development organization working across the Thane district of Maharashtra with tribal and rural communities. Seventy members of the Salesian family, Salesian fathers, Sisters, Cooperators, Past Pupils, ADMA and VDB from different centre of Mumbai left the city by two buses. One from Matunga and the other from Andheri and Borivili at 7.30am. After a long journey of four hours they reached the destination and were welcomed by Fr. Anaclete D’Mello and other staff members with a broad smile.

Fr. Elias Dias, Fr. Wilfred D’Souza and Fr. Lloyd Rodrigues celebrated Holy Eucharist. In his homily Fr. Elias Dias spoke about advent and how to prepare for the coming of Christ. He said; 1. By giving in- whatever differences we had in the past. 2. By giving up- our sins and our weaknesses. 3. By giving out- by sharing ourselves and our goods with others we will have a wonderful Christmas.

After the mass Mr. Melvin and Fr. Anaclete explained to the members their social works in the villages and how the programs are oriented towards the education and empowering poor people to become the agents of social change for the transformation of society.

After lunch the members played a short housie game and were then divided into groups who visited different villages. When they came back they had snacks. Sr. Phyllis Fernandes thanked Fr. Anaclete on his hospitality and all the arrangements. The members of the Family contributed their mite for the development of this tribal project. The Past pupil of Andheri unit adopted one village. All admired the challenging work done by the Salesians in this neglected belt of Adivasis in Maharashtra.