by Christopher Xavier
NASHIK-MAHARASHTRA, NOVEMBER 27, 2014: The second edition of the 'Missionary Week' at Divyadaan, Nashik was celebrated from November 17–22, 2014 and organized by the Missionary Group in the community. The missionary group animates the community on the 11th of every month the day commemorating the first missionary expedition of the congregation. It also gives information about the missionary activities of the congregation through a notice board and gathers information about the missionaries from the province sharing this with the community.
"Lord Send Me", the theme of the Salesian Mission Day 2015 highlighted the events of the entire missionary week. Fr. Robert Pen, the Rector inaugurated the Missionary Week by emphasizing the missionary dimension of each Salesian and of the whole congregation.
Fr. Tony D'souza, a veteran Salesian missionary, gave a conference for the whole community on the scope of the missionary vocation which was the central theme of the missionary week. He enumerated various practical aspects given in the documents of the Congregation. He also shared his thoughts on the great missionary of Christianity, St. Paul.
A video on the theme "Lord Send Me" prepared by the missionary department of the congregation was screened. The video presented a lucid understanding of this special vocation in the congregation.
The missionary week was enriched with the cultural day programme organized by the Divyadaan Academic Council with the variety of cultural items of India. There was a drawing competition also conducted for the brothers. The participants came up with creative ideas on the missionary week through their artistic skills. Finally, the missionary week was concluded with the movie on the life of Bl. Stephen Sandor SDB.
The missionary week was an informative as well as inspiring experience for the clerics at Divyadaan, and the initiative of the missionary group was appreciated by all.