by BIS Correspondent
MUMBAI, DEC 5, 2015: The Salesian Province of Mumbai celebrated its Province Community day on December 3, which is the feast day of St. Francis Xavier – Patron of the Missions and Apostle of India. 
120 Salesians from around the province – clerics, brothers and priests; both young and young-at-heart, gathered together for Holy Mass celebration at Don Bosco's Crypt, Matunga.
The Eucharist was presided over by the Provincial, Father Godfrey D'Souza, with the Provincial Councillors at the altar. Father Crispino D'Souza, in the homily, mentioned that he completed 33 years working at different places in the Salesian Province of Mumbai. He emphasised that each Salesian needs to observe the Constitutions and the Regulations of the Salesian Society- to love Christ and to follow our Saint and Founder Don Bosco.
He enumerated his reflection on community life through the reading of the book 'Exploring Salesian Life Today' by Chrys Saldanha. "We need to be grateful for the gift of faith, love, for the committed Salesians working all across the province, for the sick confreres in our province- we need to have a compassionate heart of Christ for them, for the difficult confreres in our communities- not as problems but as opportunities, for the ability to laugh and empathise with each other, the ability to forgive each other and finally the ability to work with each other in communities, so that our community is mission itself," Father D'Souza said. 
After Holy Mass, amid joyful and noisy exchange of greetings, the confreres moved to the Provincial house grounds. The master of ceremonies, Father McEnroe Lopes welcomed all the Salesians. Father Glen Lowe, raised a toast to the Provincial and the province Council, enumerating the many qualities of Father Godfrey and thanking him for his meticulous work and solicitous care of every confrere and community, despite his ill-health.
After Father Godfrey and his council cut the cake, he replied to the toast, thanking his Councillors and all the confreres of the province for their silent work and contributions that helped the province progress in serving the youth in many ways.
The community of Divyadaan with the clerics performed local folk songs and the DJ had everyone's feet tapping. It was a memorable day for the Province of Mumbai to express gratitude to God and it was a great occasion to thank the Provincial and his Councillors and all the Rectors for animating the communities along with the confreres of the province.
Father Savio Silveira, the Vice-Provincial proposed the vote of thanks, where he appreciated the host community of Don Bosco Provincial House, for having made the evening a memorable one. This year's provincial-community celebration truly enabled all present to come together to celebrate their belonging to the province and their sharing in the Salesian charism.
Viva Don Bosco, long live the Salesian Province of Mumbai!