by Cl Alan D’Silva for BIS Mumbai

On January 13, 2025, the community of Don Bosco Nerul hosted the Navi Mumbai Deanery (NMD) gathering. The gathering had a three-fold celebratory aspect; the Jubilee Year 2025 and the commemoration of the feasts of St Francis de Sales and St John Bosco. The celebration brought together around 75 priests, religious sisters and brothers from the 12 parishes of the NMD. Also present for the occasion was the Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Bombay, Rev. Bishop Allwyn D’Silva. 

The gathering commenced by invoking God’s presence through a prayer service organized by the student clerics Brs. Joseph Puthenveethil and Alan D’silva. The service began with the official video song ‘We are Pilgrims’, followed by prayers of intercession and reflection on the theme for the jubilee year. It emphasized how Sts John Bosco and Francis de Sales became beacons of hope for the people whom they encountered. It ended with a hymn on St John Bosco entitled- Raise your voices. 

Following the prayer service, Bishop Allwyn addressed the gathering. In his message, he highlighted 3 points; the Jubilee 2025, the Synodal approach to be adopted by the parishes and the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’. He stressed on the need to make each of our parishes synodal in our approach and to become protectors of the environment. Fr Barnabe D’souza, the Rector of Don Bosco Community Nerul then welcomed the attendees. He thanked Bishop Allwyn for his words of encouragement. He also highlighted the various courses and opportunities offered at the Don Bosco Academy through a video presentation emphasizing the mission of the community and the ways in which they have been beacons of hope to the people around.

Thereafter, Brs D’silva and Puthenveethil along with Fr Shekhar Mariadas, the administrator of Don Bosco Nerul organized a round of enjoyable and interactive games to keep the participants engaged and entertained. The karaoke singing session enlivened the celebration. 

The group shared a fellowship meal. The celebration drew to a close with a vote of thanks delivered by the Dean of the NMD, Fr Mario D’souza MSFS (Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales). He appreciated the community of Don Bosco for all the efforts taken to make this day memorable. 

It was indeed an evening of true fellowship and sharing. The gathering was a reminder to its attendees that they were to be beacons of hope to all the people whom they would meet in the course of their ministries.