by BISMumbai Correspondent

Day 01 of the 2^nd Session of Provincial Chapter 22 began with a con-celebrated Eucharist, presided over by Father Blany Pinto-Rector Don Bosco Lonavla and Provincial Councillor for Vocation Animation. Highlighting the call to evangelise, he said, “announcing the Good News should be understood in its two aspects: given-ness and dynamism; it is necessary to receive it in gratitude and respond to it.”

The morning session began with the roll call followed by the summary minutes of the previous session 01 held from 13-16 October 2021. Thereafter, the message of the South Asia Regional Councillor to the MumbaiSalesians’ capitulars and confreres, was read. .

Provincial Father Savio Silveira presented ‘The Report on the State of the Province for the Triennium 2019-2022’, highlighting the geographical spread, key aspects of Salesian religious life, present priority areas, and sectors of ministry in the province. He also expressed his gratitude to the the Provincial Team, the Provincial Council and the Commissions, the Procurator, the leaders of communities. He also thanked the community of St Dominic Savio Andheri for the hospitality in generous care of the infirm. He remembered with grateful affection the confreres who passed away during the last 03 years.

Provincial Economer-Father Manuel Murzello presented the ‘Financial Report of the Province for the period April 2019 to February 2022’. Through a powerpoint presentation, he clarified the status of trust, land, and building documents; balance sheets with a brief analysis of the province expenditure.

The ‘History and Celebration’ witnessed the ‘Mission’ presentation covering the Salesian mission in Bombay, Ahmednagar, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, ending with an anthem, composed by Father Charles

The post-lunch session comprised of document presentations by Commission 01: Formation to be Pastoral Salesians and Commission 02: Preferential Option in Favour of the Poorest Young People. The capitulars proposed various suggestions with regard to document structure, lines of action and asked the Commissions to rework the final document.

In the evening post-adoration, Provincial Councillor Father James Tuscano in his Good Night talk spoke about the recently launched new venture in naxalite stronghold Gadchiroli, and in one of the most backward districts in Maharashtra-Nandurbar, initiating Don Bosco Yuva Sanstha in Dhadgaon. Exhorting all the capitulars, he said, “given the opportunity I would jump into this mission, without a second thought. I sincerely hope many of us will make ourselves available to provide livelihood and agro-based training, job placements, and the like for the Bhil and Pawra tribal people.”