By Ms Vrushali Jadhav for BIS Mumbai

To enhance the spiritual growth of the children, Don Bosco English Medium School, Savedi Ahilyanagar, organized a retreat program for Catholic students, on December 14, 2025 at Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, Kedgaon.

 The retreat was organized under the leadership of Principal Fr Richard Burkhao, with the support of both teaching and non-teaching staff. Students and teachers gathered at Don Bosco English Medium School at 8 a.m., departing at approximately 8:15 a.m. for Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, located about 16 kilometers away. The program commenced at 9 a.m. with an opening session led by Fr George D’Abreo, who spoke on "How God Created Us in His Own Image and the Importance of Self-Love," emphasizing our inherent value in the eyes of God.

 The subsequent session was conducted by Teacher Vrushali Jadhav, focusing on "Jesus - A Better Friend." She guided students on cultivating a strong friendship with God, drawing on scriptural references. Following this session, students were encouraged to reflect individually on questions concerning their lives and their current relationship with God. After a break, the third session was led by Fr Richard Burkhao, who covered "The Basic Study of Different Books of the Bible and the Origin of the Bible." He provided foundational and relevant insights into the Bible, underscoring the importance of daily scripture reading. This session offered students a profound spiritual journey, enhancing their understanding of the Bible.

 Post-lunch, a special spiritual activity was organized by the teachers, where students were assigned various parables from the Gospel to read, enact, and present. Some students creatively adapted the parables to contemporary contexts. This was followed by a brief talk by Fr Burkhao on the significance of the sacrament of confession. After thorough preparation, students and teachers participated in confessions with three priests: Fr Bento D'Souza, Fr Clarence Martis, and Fr Richard Burkhao. The day concluded with a solemn Eucharistic celebration.

 The retreat offered a profound spiritual experience, fostering students' connection with God and enhancing their understanding of their intrinsic value in His eyes. Angel Dhone, a 7th-grade student, remarked that this was her first retreat and described it as the most beautiful experience of her life. Pritesh Bhingardive, a 9th-grade student, expressed his gratitude to the Father for the enriching spiritual journey, providing positive feedback and acknowledging the retreat's role in deepening their comprehension of the Bible and overall experience.