BIS Mumbai
BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3189
SECRETLY VOTED PC MEMBERS TAKE OATH OF SERVICE
Bento D’Souza
BHINGAR, OCTOBER 22, 2012: During the Mission Sunday 8 0’clock morning Marathi Mass on October 21, Parish council members took 
an oath of service after the homily.
Secret Ballot elections occupied Bhingar parish zones for the last ten days as old members of three years and more receded into the background and twenty new ones came forward to take their place in the parish council. The preceding elections took place as follows: After the introductory prayer, a check list of those belonging to the parish zone was read.
Mobile phones were set by all to contact absent ones. The reading of the election of the apostles in Acts was read. Those who volunteered for the post and those proposed had their names 
written on a white board, with a symbol attached to a name. Voter symbols were hand- drawn by all those in the room. Those outside the room were contacted by Fr. Bento.
Distant ones were contacted through the cell phones for their names and symbols listed on the ballot paper privately by Fr. Nelson. The votes were tallied and the highest became President of the zones and the second highest the Vice President. INB case of a tie of votes, two stood the office. The reading of the instructions for duties, privileges and responsibilities of the Parish council leaders were read. Those who were elected were asked if they accept or not?
Speeches were made by both incoming and outgoing leaders. The final prayer was said and congratulations poured in. This process climaxed tangibly in the Sunday Eucharist after the homily where the old member lay hands on the shoulders of the newly elected while they recited the oath of service. The Homily at Mass was preached later and the rest of the service continued as usual.
On behalf of those stepping down office, Ms Alphonsa Mariadass stated that we all form one family and then encouraged the newcomers to work as one team and continue the process begun in the parish by their commitment to service & renewal of life. In the oath all asked for the help of God and each other for sharing responsibility of the growth and development of the parish as one organic whole.
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