The Salesians of the Province of
Mumbai bid farewell to the two young Clerics: Sheldon Dias and Nilesh Dodiyar
during the Eucharistic celebration celebrated by Father Godfrey D’Souza,
Provincial of the Salesian Province of Mumbai at the Don Bosco Provincial House
Chapel along with the neighbouring Salesian Community members on the Wednesday
27th July, 2018.
Father Godfrey D’Souza during the
sermon exhorted them to live by the constitution and enumerated on the points
given by Don Bosco to the Salesians on their 1st missionary expedition in 1875.
He encouraged both the Clerics to "bear good fruits and to be in union
with God always”.
Cleric Sheldon Dias is a man on a
mission. He has opted for the Salesian missions and entrusted his future in the
hands of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Father Ángel Fernández Artime, the
10th successor of Don Bosco. He has been assigned to The Gambia, AFO Province.
At present, Father Jose Elegbede is the Provincial of this region. Brother Dias
left for Rome where he will first learn Italian and then after a preparatory
course will be given the missionary Cross and sent to a Salesian mission
station.
His father Mr. Victor Dias,
presently works as an Insurance agent and is part of the association of the
Legionary of Mary. His mother Mrs. Leera Dias, Salesian Co-operator from Don
Bosco Borivali, is currently a counsellor in Bosco Boys Home, Borivali. He is
the youngest son and has two older sisters Siana and Serene. When his parents
enrolled him at Don Bosco, Lonavla boarding in standard nine, they never
envisioned this future for their son, yet they have been very supportive in
giving their only son to God.
"I have always been in a
Salesian school, so I am very enthused by the Salesians. I met and spoke to
Father Clifford Morias a Salesian priest who went on a mission to Papua New
Guinea and I felt very inspired," Brother Dias said.
His attraction to serve in
unchartered territories began with his training in the missions in Gujarat,
where he handled tribal boys. He lived their lifestyle and felt that his
contribution to their growth was one of the most enriching experiences in his
life. He completed his Technical Studies in Welding at Don Bosco Vyawasaik
Prashikshan Kendra, Chinchwad and also enjoyed working with poor youth in a
technical set up.
Cleric Nilesh Dodiyar has been assigned by the
Rector Major to Belgium. His father Mr. Dhuliya Dodiyar
is a farmer and his mother Mrs. Sabina Dodiyar is
a housewife. They are from Banswara District, Tambesara, Rajasthan. He is the
second child and has three brothers Jitendra, Shailender and Rohit.
Brother
Dodiyar studied with the Holy Cross Sisters at Shanti Sadan. "I
went to Don Bosco, Kapadvanj to learn English. I had planned to join The Order
of Friars Minor Capuchin but after visiting the vocation camp at Don Bosco,
Kapadvanj, I decided to join the Salesians. The Salesians have a great rapport
with the poor youngsters and I loved the rural mission work and this inspired
me," said Brother Dodiyar. He completed his
initial formation and has now completed his Bachelor of Philosophy from the
Salesian Institute of Philosophy, Divyadaan, Nashik. He added, "I thank my
formators for having guided me to discern my calling for this way of life. I
guess I will need to learn a few foreign languages to work in the mission of
Belgium viz, French, Dutch and German.
Brother Micheal Gaikwad is one of
the Saleisans who inspired me to go to the missions and work for the Lord's
vineyard. I prefer to work for the migrants, especially the refugees. It was
really great working in the mission of Gujarat.."