By Glacxy Ferrao for BIS Mumbai

The unpredictable weather and an orange alert in the city did not deter the spirit of the staff of St Dominic Savio High School as they gathered for their Annual staff Retreat on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The retreat was animated by the Rector and Manager, Fr Franco Pereira, and proved to be a profound experience of self-reflection and self-renewal.

 The day began with screening of the powerful and enlightening film ‘Amish Grace,’ which portrayed the extraordinary forgiveness and resilience of the Amish community in the face of the Nickel Mines school tragedy. This set the tone for the first session, where Fr Pereira invited the staff to reflect on the Amish spirituality of forgiveness and its relevance in their own lives. Group sharing followed, and the themes of grief, justice, and God’s providence stirred meaningful conversations. “If you are a follower of the Almighty, forgiveness is not an option,” Fr Pereira reminded them.

 The second session, The Cup of Life, carried a deeply symbolic message. Each staff member was given a cup and a booklet and asked to reflect on how they might empty their cup in service of others— family, colleagues and students. Fr Pereira emphasized the call to enrich others’ lives and become ‘a cup of blessing’ for all.

 The reflections shared by the staff bore witness to the depth of the experience. Ms Arlene DCruz, a Secondary teacher, beautifully expressed: “The retreat taught me that as an educator I need to keep my cup brimming with living waters of faith, stir it with the herb of forgiveness, sweeten it with compassion, and strain the inner clutter with empathy. So, we need to stay empty to remain full.”

 As the retreat drew to a close, Fr Pereira concluded with a gentle yet thought-provoking phrase: “I have only tickled your nostrils.” His words served as a reminder that the retreat was not an end but an invitation to seek deeper meaning and growth in faith.

 The day rekindled a renewed commitment among the staff to live out the Salesian spirit of faith, forgiveness, and compassion, fostering unity and purpose in their vocation as educators.