by Father Mylin Noronha
MUMBAI, NOV 22, 2017: Young priests from the Province of Bombay and Province of Panjim gathered at the Don Bosco Provincial House in Matunga, for a 
two-day animation programme on November 20, where they were urged to heed their call to be prophets in society.
Father Varghese Alengaden, Founder of the Universal Solidarity Movement of Value Education for Peace (USM), Indore, the resource person for the programme stressed that being prophets comes with an additional caveat, that of suffering.
"It's unfortunate that today, people prefer worshiping the cross, instead of carrying it," Father Alengaden, said. In order to fulfil their vision of bearing 'lasting fruit' through their ministry, he coaxed the priests to become mentors instead of mere teachers of young people. Just as Jesus told his followers that new wine had to be stored in new wine-skins, Father Alengaden told the priests that the new challenges of priests today had to be resolved with new strategies in carrying out their mission.
Father Alengaden continued his sharing on 'new wine-skin' strategies vis-à-vis the challenges he faced in his ministry over the years. He also conducted a session on 'The Miracle of Possibility Thinking' in which he challenged the young priests to ask themselves "Why Not?" and have the belief to do what has not been done before, to be fruitful in their ministry. In the afternoon, he shared some practical tips for spiritual growth based on his own experience and reflection during his many years as a priest.
While the young priests were impressed and educated by the content of the talks of Father Alengaden, they were even more captivated by his personality. Throughout his interaction with the priests, he radiated courage, conviction and integrity that left a lasting imprint on the priests. In his vote of thanks, Father Jacob Palaparambil expressed this influence by saying, "Father Alengaden has not told us things about Jesus, but told us how to be Jesus."
The young Salesians enjoyed each other's company and shared many light moments, given that it was a reunion with their companions from both provinces. All in all, the two days that the young priests spent with each other and Father Alengaden were days of insightful thoughts, eye-opening knowledge and an opportunity to grow in love of Christ and neighbour.