By Fr Jerome Edison for BISMumbai

On 15 August 2022, Don Bosco, Makarpura, celebrated a feast of double love: one in honour of Beloved Mother Mary and the other in honour of our country India.

Don Bosco High School celebrated the love of our country as India celebrates its 75 years of Independence. The chief guest for the occasion was Dr Prashant Dabhi, a renowned radiologist in Baroda who is an alumnus of Don Bosco Baroda in 1991. The program began with the solemn flag hoisting by Dr. Dabhi, which was followed by patriotic songs, speeches and dances. The program concluded with the votes of thanks by Fr Glen Fernandes, the Principal.

The Don Bosco Parish celebrated the solemnity of the Assumption of our Blessed Virgin Mary. The festive eucharistic celebrations were at Carmel Ashram at 6:30 a.m., at 9:15 a.m. at Don Bosco Parish, and at 6:30 p.m. at Don Bosco Parish by Fr Fernandes. All the festive Masses were multilingual and well-animated.

A new initiative began under the leadership of Fr Goyal and the Salesian cooperators as Don Bosco, Makarpura, began its oratory with 96 boys and girls from the nearby slums of migrant and non-migrant parents. The program commenced with a prayer service, a speech by Fr Mayank Parmar, tournaments, a magic show and a fellowship meal. At the end of the programme, all the children were given a book and pen. They were animated by 23 staff composed of NGO teachers, Salesian cooperators and Salesians.

It was indeed a day to remember for the community of Don Bosco, Makarpura.