By Fr Jeswin Mastan for BIS Mumbai

Mumbai, July 1, 2026: The Social Communication Delegates' Meeting of the Mumbai Province was held on July 1, 2026 at Don Bosco Provincial House, Matunga, bringing together 29 delegates from across the Province.

The meeting commenced with a hymn to the Holy Spirit, followed by the inaugural address by Fr Mylin Noronha, Province Delegate for Social Communication, who outlined the purpose of the gathering and presented the vision for Social Communication Delegates.

The first session, titled "The Salesian Storyteller: Crafting News” was led by Fr Joyston Machado, BIS In-charge for the province. He highlighted that Bosco Information Service is far more than a platform for reporting events; it serves as a living archive of the Salesian mission and a powerful instrument of evangelization. Encouraging delegates to move beyond merely documenting activities, he urged them to become storytellers who communicate the significance, impact, and transformative experiences behind every Salesian initiative.

The second session, "The Salesian Digital Playground," was facilitated by Fr Leon Rodrigues, who presented the digital world as a contemporary missionary space where Salesians are called to foster communities through authentic presence rather than self-promotion. He encouraged participants to cultivate responsible digital habits rooted in the Salesian values of simplicity, integrity, and obedience, ensuring that technology remains a means of evangelization, accompaniment, and service.

Continuing the theme of responsible communication, Fr Nathanel George addressed the delegates on digital ethics and content discernment. Inviting participants to reflect on three guiding questions—"Is it true? Is it good? Is it useful?"—before sharing any content, he stressed the importance of verifying information, using visual media responsibly, and maintaining ethical standards in digital communication. Through an engaging presentation using memes and contemporary examples, he reminded the participants that every digital action contributes to a lasting online witness and reflects the values they uphold.

The final session was led by Mr Joy Fernandes, who introduced the concept of establishing Media Cells across the Province under the theme, "Building a Stronger Salesian Presence through Storytelling, Documentation, and Digital Engagement." He explained that Media Cells are much more than news teams; they are collaborative platforms dedicated to documenting the life and mission of every Salesian community, preserving institutional memory, strengthening the province’s digital presence, and communicating the rich legacy of Salesian works. He highlighted their broad scope, which includes covering youth programmes, parish ministries, educational initiatives, social outreach projects, vocational activities, and other apostolic endeavours, ensuring that the province’s mission is effectively documented and shared.

The meeting concluded with regional group discussions, equipping the delegates with a renewed vision and practical strategies to strengthen Social Communication across the Province.