by Father Mayank Parmar for BISMumbai

Ahmedabad Naroda Parish women's cell coordinated by FMM nun Sister Manisha and her community consisting of 29 women, accompanied by 03 nuns, and animators, had an outing-cum-orientation programme at Amrutdhara Kapadvanj on Sunday 26 September 2021. On Monday 27 September 2021, the Pragati Mahila Sangh of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish-Dapada organised a 01-day workshop for their leaders animated by SHM nuns-Sister Smruti and Sister Chetna.

Amrutdhara Director-Father Mayank Parmar was the main resource animator on both days. The session consisted of various activities, informing the women on making themselves visible as part of the Church leadership. Other aspects covered in the day-long programmes were: the role of women in the life of Jesus, and women as the light of Christ in the parish and in their families

On 27 September, newly ordained priest Father Michael Gaikwad addressed the women on his missionary journey and vocation, in session 01, following the concelebrated Eucharist. In the subsequent session, Father Parmar animated the women through an interactive group-strategy activity. A SWOT analysis helped the women realise their potential and possible group lines of action, in their vicinity.

Sister Manisha FMM said, "this is the first time we have brought the women out for such a programme. In the future, we intend to bring the women for a retret-experience, as per their request, as this is a lovely place surrounded by nature, birds and calmness."

Sangeetaben of Dapada said, "we did not realise how the time passed and we had to leave the place. We should have more days of this kind of workshop."

Sister Smriti SHM remarked, "I thank the Amrutdhara team sincerely. The women are grateful and would like to express it through 'Tapra' [their tribal cultural dance].

The women of Dapada also recorded their own song in the Studio Don Bosco, departing for home with happy and fond memories of Don Bosco Kapadvanj.