by BIS Correspondent

The Meeting of the Leaders of Communities of the Salesian Province of Mumbai was held on 19–20 June 2025 at the Don Bosco Provincial House, Matunga. It brought together rectors and animators for a two-day moment of spiritual renewal, shared vision, and administrative planning. The meeting was marked by prayer, fraternal dialogue, implementation of GC29, mental wellness awareness, and concrete administrative directives.

The meeting began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Crypt of Don Bosco’s Madonna, presided over by Fr Savio Silveira, Provincial. In his homily, he reminded the participants of the Jubilee Year of Hope, underlining that many place their hope in Salesian leaders: God, the young, the poor, confreres, and collaborators. Recalling Don Bosco’s transformative presence, he exhorted the rectors to be faithful channels of God’s hope and to never disappoint those who look up to them.

In his inaugural address, Fr Savio welcomed the new Provincial-designate, Fr Ashley Miranda, and congratulated Frs Brian Moras and McEnroe Lopes on their new appointments as rectors. He thanked outgoing rectors for their generous service and highlighted the essential role of joyful community animation in building a vibrant province. He shared detailed updates on confreres in formation, new assignments, studies abroad, health updates, and vocations. He emphasized the role of the rector as the Salesian Vocation Ministry Coordinator, as per Provincial Directory guidelines, and urged each leader to take this mission seriously.

The Provincial also presented updates on new and upcoming missions in Waluj, Surat, Virar, Banswara, and Walvanda. He briefed the leaders on permissions for CBSE school ventures, challenges in higher education projects, and progress on legal land matters. Special mention was made of Fr Mayank Parmar and Fr Thomas D’Costa for their groundwork in these new frontiers. The implementation of GC29 was introduced as a priority, encouraging reflection on the centrality of Christ, vocational growth, community life, evangelization, and new expressions of the Salesian charism.

The sessions on the implementation of GC29 were conducted by Fr Ashley Miranda. He invited group reflections on three key dimensions for each priority: strengths of the province, present challenges, and concrete, verifiable community actions. These sharings will contribute to drafting the OPP and SEPP, aligning local realities with global Salesian directions.

A special session on mental wellness was led by Dr Wilona Braganza, offering insights into mental health dynamics, the importance of safe conversations, self-care, and building emotionally healthy communities. Her session offered practical strategies, tips for stress management, and ways to foster supportive environments within Salesian settings.

Fr Gregory D’Almeida addressed the gathering on administrative matters, underlining timely submission of monthly returns, digital procedures, budget protocols, and project documentation. Key reminders were given on compliance with financial regulations (80G, 12AA), trust change reports, corpus fund management, and professional staffing. The importance of proper hospitality, digital record-keeping, and transparency in financial procedures were emphasized. Fr Gregory also shared plans for training programs for administrators and accountants, and announced the launch of “Bosco Connect”, a new digital initiative to strengthen ties with past pupils.

The meeting concluded with words of gratitude from Fr Jesu Robinson, who acknowledged the contributions of the Provincial, the organizing team, and the host community at DBPH Matunga. The two-day gathering was a moment of fraternity, renewal, and forward-looking resolve, as Salesian leaders recommitted themselves to their shared mission—educating and evangelizing the young, especially the poor, in the spirit of Don Bosco.