By Fr Kenneth Pereira for BISMumbai

On 19 July 2022, Frs. Blany Pinto and Velasli Bandya from Don Bosco, Lonavla, spent an hour with the Vocation Team of St Dominic Savio Church, Wadala, to devise methods of encouraging young boys from the parish to get interested in exploring religious life as a possible vocational choice. Six parishioners as well as Frs. Kenneth Pereira and Gregory D’Cunha met with the visitors to come up with some creative ideas to foster more vocations in the parish.

The meeting also allowed the new parish priest, Fr Pereira, and new administrator, Fr D’Cunha, to get up to speed with the initiatives that have been taken at the parish level. There was a discussion on how things were not going too well as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. Despite having online meetings it did not have the same effect as physical camps. They spoke about the six day camp held at Lonavla for both the juniors and the seniors. Fr Bandya also thanked the parish for sending children to the aspirantate at Lonavla.

They also highlighted the formation at Lonavla as an occasion to discern one’s vocation and grow in holiness. The emotional formation of a child is also taken care of. They develop well academically, and they also interact with people from different backgrounds making them more accustomed socially.

Finally, they came up with some creative ideas, ranging from ‘Come and See’ weekends in Lonavla and Vocation Talks by invitees, to the more time-tested ‘monthly adoration for vocations’. The meeting ended with a prayer and blessing by Fr Pinto.

St Dominic Savio Church, Wadala, can boast of having produced four priests in the recent past besides initiating others into Salesian life!