by Fr Christopher George for BISMumbai

The 07 Salesian novices at the Salesian Training Institute [STI] Nashik, embarked on a social outreach adventure, motivated by the inspirational conference of their Novice Master-Father Wyman Gonsalves, on 01 June 2022.

On the first day of the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father Gonsalves initiated the social outreach at the Salesian Novitiate at Nashik, inviting the novices to form their hearts after the model of the compassionate heart of Christ. He guided them to begin the daily animation programme at the Don Bosco Child Care Institution (Shelter Don Bosco), Nashik.

The novices were cordially welcomed by Father Roshan Gonsalves-Director of Shelter Don Bosco and given a brief orientation. The novices were attentive to the various points explained to them by Father Roshan, concerning the do’s, don’ts and other pertinent issues with factual examples. For most of the novices, this was the first instance of such outreach and interaction with children in need of care and protection.

A short Q&A session was followed by an introductory interaction with the resident boys and staff. The initial 02-week ‘Come and Gel’ programme is to be followed by an intensive immersion experience all through the year.