by Father Bento D'Souza
AHMEDNAGAR, AUG 17, 2016: Like top sportspersons from around the world need to qualify for the Olympic Games, youth of BGVK, Bajajnagar also needed to qualify to participate in the Salesian Youth Ministry Project of Ahmednagar on August 7.
The Bajajnagar youth were given a wild card entry to the special event, where they were taught about the new permaculture developments in BGVK, Kedgaon, which essentially deals with the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient.
Nine youth were selected to attend the Vianney Celebration of the Salesian Priests and Friendship day at St Anne's Church, Collectors Office. The event was the result of the combined youth ministry of the Salesian communities of St. Anne's Parish, St John's Bhingar, BGVK, Kedgaon and Don Bosco Savedi.
The event started with the felicitation of the priests. Father Vishwas Pereira, Father Johnson Khsirsagar, Father Michael Bansode, Father Bento D'Souza, Father George D'Abreo, Father Bastin Thomas, Father Paul Antao, Father Cedric Sankul and Father Anthony Santarita were welcomed with the youth tying friendship bands on their wrists. All priests were then presented with mementos of their photograph, etched with their Ordination Day mottos and an encouraging message of hope embossed. Pooja Bharti gave a speech explaining the ethos and significance of the day.
The Holy Eucharist was celebrated on the next day, during which the President, Father Michael Bansode, in his homily said that a Salesian Priest is part, parcel and center of each family and youth's heart. More than a hundred youth from the four institutions around Nagar participated. The Youth Friendship fellowship event, where multi-coloured friendship bands were tied on everyones wrists, was the highlight of the evening.
All the Salesians mingled with the youthful crowd, dancing, interacting, playing games like Fire on the mountain and cluster formation. Spot Prizes were also distributed. The Vote of Thanks was given by Father George D'Abreo. The animator, Father James Tuscano together with the parish priest of St Anne's, Father Augustine Pereira and their respective teams made the event possible.
The nine youth from Aurangabad integrated with the others present. They are enthusiastic about the novelty and vibrancy of Salesian brand events like Marian Nights, Career Fair, Live-in, Christmas Bash, Uth4Uth Fest and Youth Pasch- the forthcoming events of this year. The participants look forward to a planned year 2016-2017.