By Fr Evangelo D’Souza for BISMumbai

The General Councillor for South Asia, Fr Biju Michael, visited Don Bosco, Yerwada, on 13 November 2022.

During his homily, Fr Biju Michael emphasised on perseverance and trust in the Lord in difficult times. He appreciated the ‘fully packed’ church and mentioned that it is the work of the Lord in building this faith community.

The Catechism teachers enthralled everyone with their breathtaking dance, and added joy to the occasion as they also celebrated Children’s Day with the Catechism children. Fr Biju Michael was impressed with the number of students attending Sunday school, and gave an inspiring message on gratitude and how Don Bosco always emphasised that every child that shows gratitude in daily life is a holy child. He also acknowledged the work of the catechists and their sacrifice in imparting the faith to the young ones of the parish.

After the programme, Fr Biju Michael gave the opening conference to the community after which he met each Salesian of the community individually. At 6.30 p.m., he met the different associations of the parish community and was very happy with the spiritually vibrant parish and the active involvement of the laity.

On 14 November, Fr Biju Michael celebrated the Eucharist for the community. Later he joined the school and college for the Children’s Day celebration. The teachers, through the entire programme of dance, skit and song, conveyed the message of ‘Love’. After the presentation of the school and college report, the staff and students felicitated the extraordinary visitor with a shawl and a sapling.

In his inspiring talk to the students, Fr Biju Michael mentioned that, “it is the stuff within us that makes us rise in life”. He then addressed the teaching and non-teaching staff and reminded them that it is the preventive system that governs a Don Bosco institution. The visitation concluded with the closing conference where he invited each confrere to be faithful to the charism of Don Bosco and to be imbued with the love of God as one serves Him in his vineyard.