By Fr Mario Vaz for BISMumbai

The Feast of the Epiphany saw the coming together of various members of the Salesian Family from different parts of the Province of Bombay to celebrate the Salesian Family Day. Like the Magi and their entourage, the Salesian Family members all trooped into the Don Bosco Centre for Learning Campus, Kurla, on 8 January 2023. It felt good to see the Salesian co-operators, Past Pupils, Association of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Sisters, SMI Sisters and Parents of Salesians, almost 225 in all. Some of them came from far off places like Alirajpur, Gujarat, and rural Maharashtra.

The program ably anchored by Ms Elenca Rebello and Mr Amarr Prabhu began with a prayer by Fr Nelson Carvalho. Fr Mario Vaz, Vice Rector of DBCL, extended a warm welcome to Fr Savio Silveira - Provincial, Fr Ashley Miranda - Vice Provincial and Animator of ADMA; Frs Diego Nunes and Donald Fernandez - the Provincial Delegates for the Salesian Co-operators and PastPupils, the Salesian Sisters delegates, office bearers and members of the different Salesian Associations of the Salesian family. Fr Nunes thanked the Salesian Family for joining in this celebration of Don Bosco’s united family. Each of the dignitaries and office bearers were felicitated with a momento.

In his address to the participants, the Provincial expressed his happiness to see so many members of the Salesian Family present. He spoke about the importance of the Family as a unit that is caring of its members, appreciating each one’s contribution and striving to extend every possible assistance especially to those most in need. The willingness to work collaboratively to ensure the well being of those we are called to serve as per our charism.

Every unit of the Salesian family presented a report of their activities and this was followed by a well animated celebration of the Eucharist with 25 priests concelebrating and joyfully led by a youthful choir of the campus.

The ADMA group and the Salesian Co-operators of Wadala West entertained the audience with their skit and artistically choreographed dance performance. Housie and movie charades kept everyone entertained and rewarded. Of course the Selfies and Photo Ops had to be part of the event to make it memorable and to share.

The entire Salesian Family Day program was meticulously planned and smoothly executed by the DBCL Kurla Unit’s delegate, Fr Joe Braganza and his team of Salesian Co-operators. The Salesian Family Day was very well appreciated and enjoyed by all those who attended the function. A hearty lunch brought the entire program to a happy end.