by Jacinta D'souza
LONAVALA, NOV 19, 2015: Forty participants – that included Salesian Cooperators, ADMA and past pupils – took part in a two-day annual retreat at Don Bosco, Lonavala on November 11 and 12. Father Kiran Salve from Baroda and Aubrey Menezes addressed the faithful – most of whom hailed from Ahmednagar, Baroda and Mumbai - on several subjects that ranged from the power of the Holy Spirit to the importance of building family life.
On the first day of the retreat, Father Salve highlighted the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit renews, recreates and rekindles our lives, transforming and enhancing our spiritual growth. He also dwelt on 'family life' and the power of the Spirit in living out our family commitments. The Salesian Cooperators from Ahmednagar then conducted the Way of the Cross. Being the month of the Holy souls, the faithful visited and prayed at the graves of the Salesian confreres: Father Cajetan Lobo, Father Mauro Cassarotti and Brother P M Thomas. An Adoration service, conducted by the Cooperators from Wadala west, was then held.
On day two, a meditation session was conducted. The faithful were shown a power point presentation on de-stressing. Menezes then took them through a set of meditation techniques that were very practical. He dwelt on the need of overcoming fear and in the final session he proposed ways and means of family bonding. The Retreat concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist animated by the Matunga and Bandra groups and celebrated by Father Vivian D'Souza, the Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family. Father D'souza also spoke about the forthcoming programmes for the Salesian Family.
The inspiring talks and the silent moments during the retreat helped its participants to imbibe the teachings of the animators and to pick up important notes for Christian and Salesian living.