BIS #1779 PC 2010 BEGINS AT DON BOSCO LONAVLA

Chris Valentino sdb

LONAVLA, FEBRUARU 25, 2010: The second and final Session of the Provincial Chapter of the Mumbai Province got underway on the evening of February 22, 2010, with a Recollection preached by Fr. Jose Kuttianimattathil, former Provincial of the Province of Bangalore and present Director of DBRC. Fr. Jose highlighted the need ‘to return to Don Bosco and thereby return to Youth’ with a pertinent presentation from the historical and experiential perspective of the Salesian congregation. He put forth his views aided by an audio-visual presentation ‘Nobody’s Child.’

The official proceedings began at 9.00 a.m. the next day. The Provincial Fr. Michael Fernandes, welcomed the members of the Chapter and reminded them of the theme of the Chapter “Returning to Don Bosco with a Planning Mentality.” He stressed: “We need to look at the needs of the Province with a planning mentality, basing ourselves on the Rector Major’s Six-Year Structural Plan for the Congregation and applying these to different sectors. We also need to look at the availability of personnel, express oneself, and pray for each other while engaging in frank, free and charitable sharing of opinions and discussions.” He wished the Moderator, the Assistant Moderator, and the Secretaries the very best.
Fr. Christopher then read the Message of the Regional Councillor, Fr. Maria Arokia Kanaga, after which the Moderator, Fr. Ashley Miranda, in the name of the Provincial, declared the Second Session of Provincial Chapter 2010 open.
A case for the New Circumscription (Gujarat/ Rajasthan/ Madhya Pradesh) was introduced and was voted out by the Chapter members. Apart from the Provincial’s Report on the state of the province, and the Economer’s Report on the financial condition of the province, the various commissions then presented their documents. Questions were asked, clarifications sought, modifications suggested, explanations given and significant points seriously debated.

The ever cordial warmth of the boys and confreres at Lonavla of nostalgic memories flavoured with the enthusiastic mix of youth and seniority only added colour and spice to the initial proceedings. However, the best is yet to come.

The only dampener on an otherwise pleasant atmosphere in the proceedings was the news of the sad demise of the brother of Fr. Diego Nunes. Four members of the Chapter represented the confreres at the funeral service, while the others prayed for the departed soul and for the bereaved members of the family.