FMA MUMBAI (INB)

On the 8^th of August 2017 Auxilium Girls Promotion Centre, Oros celebrated ‘Raksha Bandhan’ for the village school children of Pokran.

It is said that, “Relationships are the essence of any festivity and it holds true for any Indian festival.” Raksha Bandhan is one such celebration of strengthening the ties of relation – a brother- sister relationship, and the people of India are noted for this great gesture.  We had the joy of celebrating it for the school children as a pledge of life-time practice of moral, cultural and spiritual values. For the values and the sentiments attached to the rituals of this festival are worth inculcating by the whole human race, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful co-existence. The festival of Raksha Bandhan assumes all forms of Raksha or protection, of righteousness and destroyer of all sin. We the Salesian sisters are called to guide and protect children from the social evil and this was one new step towards this, wherein the children learn the importance of safeguarding and protecting one another.

The celebration began with the introductory words given by Mr. Kalsulkar, the Vice Principal of S.S. Kudalkar High School. He extended a warm welcome to Sr. Priscilla Travasso the animator of Auxilium Girls Promotion Centre, Sr. Vandana Malya and the Novice Sr. Sangeeta Marvi and expressed his gratitude towards the institute for its timely support in the educational mission.

Sr. Vandana then briefed the entire group with the importance of this celebration.  The tying of the Rakhi was done in a very creative way by providing the required material to the girls to prepare the sacred thread after which they had to run and tie it to the boy standing in front of them at a distance.  The first one to prepare, tie and get her brother to the starting point was awarded a prize.

The short programme concluded with the message given by Sr. Priscilla, exhorting the students to remember the great significance of this festival and to protect one other not only today but always. Later snacks were distributed to all the students.

Singing Competition
The Singing Competition showcased the singing talent of the students who presented their songs individually and housewise. These songs revolved around the themes of Family and environment. The three Judges were impressed by the budding singing talent of the students.

Maths Quiz 
The day saw the maths quiz competition get underway. The quiz had various types of rounds some of which were mentally solved, solved in writing or on the monitor. The teams were arranged housewise. Students racked their brain for some of the answers.The audience too were involved in answering and solving questions mentally. This competition aimed at increasing the student’s interest in and liking for the subject maths.

The Nashik region ICYM, comprising of sixty youth along with  youth animators and ministry delegates of six parishes  gathered for a one-day gathering on “U 2 can Be a Saint “ at the Dominic Savio church Campus. Fr. Ivan Rodrigues SDB was the host convener, together with the SYM and AYM youth Satpur.We began the day with a warm welcome to youth animators and the youth of 6 parishes. Altogether there were 60 youngsters present for the celebration. It was followed by a prayer song by the DB youth group with lovely music by Bro.Henrick.Rev. Fr. Brian D’souza, SJ, began the session with a video. The video was based on the theme of self-development. He also stressed on how youth should be responsible in the family, in the colleges and the society at large. This was followed by a second session by Fr. Allwyn. He said that if the youth need to attain that responsibility, they should have trust in God, self-confidence, goal, challenges and commitment. At noon we had a workshop on the theme of the day   “U 2 can Be a Saint” conducted by Bros. Felix,  Ambrose and by Sr. Nilima Rodrgiues. The workshop was a combination   of games, questions and Power points. The key note of the day was the Holy Eucharist celebration presided over by Rev. Bishop Lourdes Daniel.Thus the whole day was a day of reflection, enlightenment and enjoyment.

The famous festival of Raksha Bandhan reminds us of the special bond we share with our siblings. This great festival was celebrated at Maria Sharan, Keshnand on 7^th August 2017. The boarding girls gathered together and took part with great fervor in the prayer service which was animated by Sr. Phulmani , praying for their own brothers and also for every brother and sister who keep up this feast today with great pomp and show.  After the prayer moment, Sr. Phulmani spoke about the significance of this festival and helped the girls to know the value of this festival. Later each girl tied a rakhi to another girl, signifying that this festival is to build relationship and reaffirm the pious bonds of affection to the other person.

The 5th of August is a very Memorial Day for the FMA, as they celebrate their Foundation Day.
Don Bosco founded the Institute on the 5th of August 1872 as a living monument of his gratitude to Mary, the Mother of God whom the sisters honour as their mother, teacher and guide. The sisters of Auxilium, Carona, Goa animated the day’s assembly where they remembered the first sisters who made their first profession along with St. Mary Mazzarello.
The sisters then enacted the story of the Our Lady of the Snows, thus giving the message that in Don Bosco’s life Mary worked innumerable wonders and still continues to do the same. The programme concluded by solemnly chanting the Salesian anthem ‘O Qual sorte’.

It was a wonderful, joyful morning as the Institute celebrated 145 years. Along with her companions, our animator, Rev.Sr. Wilma De Souza celebrated 46 years of her fidelity to the Institute of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
There was a solemn morning celebration wherein the entire community thanked and praised God for His goodness and love especially shown towards Sr. Wilma.

It was a great day of celebration filled with joy and appreciation in St. Joseph Training Centre, Lonavla.  On the 22nd July 2017, eleven candidates were initiated as Aspirants and Postulants. The theme chosen was taken from Prophet Isaiah ,”I have engraved you on the palms of my hand.”
The candidates were excited and eager to make their first annual retreat under the guidance of Sr. Santana Pereira fma. She introduced them to various forms of mediation. The three days of silence and mediation enabled them to get in touch with their inner self and experience God in a deeper way. She taught them to be women of strength and sensitized them to take care for our Mother Earth.
The 22nd of July, began with a solemn and beautiful prayer service. During this prayer moment the Provincial Rev.Sr.Rita Dora gave the Aspirant’s medal to six young girls namely Priyanka, Munmun, Placiya, Vandana, Smita and Gloria. During the Eucharist celebration presided by Rev.Fr.Valerian SDB the postulants Mayuri, Sobina, Sony, Quincyann, and Novnita received the medal from the hands of our Provincial.
The day was filled with gratitude and praise.

Jag Prakash Kanya Chatralay, Pansora celebrated Raksha Bandhan with a difference! In the presence of the headmistress,teachers and SHG women , the girls rakhis to the students of the Government Primary school children of the Gujarati Medium. The temple priest who was present, explained the meaning of Raksha Bandhan to the children and also he sang the Gujarati song of “Hum Hai  Chotte Sardar” which children enjoyed. After that they tied rakhi to the boys of Std. V and VI and we disturbed sweets to all.

The second celebration of Raksha Bandhan was with the town police and the prisoners of the Nadiad police station. The prisoners were very pleased to see the women tie rakhis which they least expected. This was a gesture of respect and a bond of love.

The third celebration was with the boarders of the community and the workers where they tied rakhi to each other. It was concluded with a festal meal. 

The  morning of 7^th July was a special one as the little ones of Ashish Bhavan, Kune celebrated ‘Raksha Bandhan’. Among the 32 girls, Aashish Bhavan is privileged to have a boy, Sagar. The girls consider him as their brother and were much eager to tied rakhi to Sagar. His joy knew no bounds! The celebration was conducted in the Indian traditional way.

‘Maria Ashiana’, Lonavla too celebrated the feast. Fr. Xavier Devadas SDB who is in charge of the therapeutic and rehabilitation centre for marginalized youth, explained to them the significance of this feast –the love of a brother and a sister. The girls with sentiments of joy tied rakhis to the boys and thus strengthened the bond.   A meaning prayer was animated by the boarders. It was followed by a dance and a skit and the day ended with a fellow meal where served with joy.

On 2 August, Auxilium Youth Animation Centre Dahanu was filled with bright faces of youngsters dressed in traditional dresses:all set to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Sr. Mangal Kolge with her minutest planning organized the feast in a very significant manner. ‘Protection’ was the central theme, the speeches, skit, jokes and dance brought out this beautiful theme from various perspectives.
The exchange of Rakhi, the sacred thread of protection enhanced with the love and affection of a sister for her brother took everyone’s mind and heart to love which is the basis of protection. “This frail of thread of Rakhi is considered as stronger than iron chains as it binds the most beautiful relationship in an inseparable bond of love and trust. Rakhi festival also has a social significance because it underlines the notion that everybody should live in harmonious coexistence with each other.”
The sharing of sweets, lots of fun and laughter and the joy to watch our youngsters dance to their heart content made every one present to thank God for the gift of 150 young people who were the protagonists of the feast at Auxilium Youth Animation Centre, Dahanu.
Psalm 91, the Psalm of Protection prayed as a group not only set the tone but also reminded all of us present how God our protector expects each of us to take utmost care to ensure protection and safety to those whom we encounter day after day. We prayed for each other’s wellbeing, happiness and prosperity.
Sr. Mariet tied Rakhi to the teachers expressing love, thanks and assuring that the FMA community will always ensure protection to each of them and to the young people frequenting the General Duty Assistant Course. Sr. Teresa Joseph, the speaker of the day invited the youngsters to go deeper into love which is the basis of protection. Our celebration of Raksha Bandhan with the young people of General Duty Assistant Course once again strengthened the ties of relationship uniting the Sisters and the young together in a bond of love and friendship.

On 26^th of July 2017 a session on POCSO (Protection of Children against Sexual Offenses) was conducted at Pokhran High School. 89 children and their teachers learned about the POCSO Act of 2012 and different provisions under this Act to protect children from becoming victims of sexual offenses. The session began with a short prayer and introduction to the programme by Mr. Ghadigaokar  the headmaster of the school. Children were attentive during the session and were able to grasp and understand. After the session snacks were distributed to the children.