BIS #1503 A TRIPLE FEAST AT SATPUR

Smita Salve
NASHIK, AUGUST 18, 2009:
For the last few years, for various reasons there were no confirmations done at St. Dominic Savio Church, Satpur, Nashik. However, the confirmation catechesis was intermittent. Several youngsters were already at either junior or senior college level or working. The youth expressed impatience and annoyance. The parish council members approached the parish priest, Fr. Nelson Falcao and requested him to do something about it. The parish priest took it up as a priority and invited the confirmation candidates to attend the Sunday mass and confirmation catechesis regularly. With the help of Bro. Neville, Bro. Ryan, Bro. Rudolf, Sr. Anita fma, Salesian novices and catechism teachers, he divided them in groups, took their regular attendance and made them go through a rigorous catechesis. Not only that, with all his work the parish priest himself took catechetical sessions helping the youth to understand what they believe and to reason out their faith, memorised doctrines and prayers.

Finally, after a year’s thorough and regular catechesis and church attendance 61 youngsters and a few adults were confirmed by Archbishop Felix Machado on August 15, 2009 at 10.30 am. During his homily, the Archbishop asked a few catechetical questions to the candidates and they answered them very well. He praised the catechetical preparation of the youth and the adults. The triple solemnity of the Assumption-Independence and Confirmation was well prepared: the mahila mandal worked for about two weeks cleaning the church premises and the church; the youth group saw to the decorations, rangoli, flower arrangements and the singing; the parish council members saw to the felicitations and a saha-bhojan, i.e., a meal, for about 500 faithful.

After the Eucharistic Celebration followed the felicitations for the guests and honouring of about 80 students of Satpur area from Std. I to graduation level who secured more than 60% in the final examinations. Due to the afternoon meal that was prepared for all, people did not rush home to do their own cooking, but rather relaxed in the church premises for long. One experienced caring and sharing during the saha-bhojan. Most happy and grateful were those confirmed and their parents since they got something that was long due.