New Delhi, July 13, 2022 : The Salesian province of New Delhi celebrated the jubilee of ten of its confreres at Don Bosco provincial house, New Delhi on July 13, 2022.
Celebrating the diamond jubilee of profession and golden jubilee of ordination of Fr. Joe Arimpoor, golden jubilee of profession of Fr. Varghese Palatty, Silver jubilee of ordination of Fr. Eldefonce Kujur and Fr. Robert Simon (INM) and silver jubilee of profession of Fr. Biju Akkilettu, Fr. Sunila Barla, Fr. Anand Prakash Ekka, Fr. Chonhas Kujur, Fr. David Rayappan and Fr. Norbert Xalxo, was indeed a joyous and heartfelt occasion.
The jubilee celebration began on an auspicious note at 5.00 PM in the Bosco Hall with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, with Fr. Joe Arimpoor, as the main celebrant and attended by more than 170 Salesians, Salesian Family Members and well-wishers.
Fr. Joe Arimpoor, in his opening words recalled with gratitude how God has made him and other jubilarians instruments to spread Jesus’ love and joy to a multitude of people.
Fr. Varghese Palatty, in his homily enumerated that jubilee is not so much about recalling personal achievements and milestones, rather it is an occasion to celebrate God’s grace actively working in and through the lives of the Jubilarians. Drawing an analogy from the wedding feast at Cana, he said that the jars were though big yet ordinary, the water was simple and plain, yet Jesus turned that water into delicious wine. Similarly, the lives of the jubilarians were ordinary, their years of life of service as servants of Jesus were simple and nothing worthy of note, yet Jesus turned their efforts into something marvellous, thereby enabling them to touch the lives of hundreds and thousands of people who crisscrossed their paths in the lives’ journey.
Soon after the Holy Mass, a short and meaningful felicitation programme was organized at Bosco Hall. Fr. Davis Maniparamben, the Provincial, felicitated the jubilarians and enumerated their unique personal qualities. “Your services and contributions have made the province vibrant and dynamic, and as the provincial, I am truly and genuinely proud of each one of you”, he said with gratitude. The boys and girls of Don Bosco Ashalayam, Delhi added colour to the festive mood with their song and dance.
The audiovisual presentation, prepared by Br. Mathew John of DBTI Community, highlighted jubilarians’ attitudes of service, sensitivity to the poor, responsibility and commitment, their dreams and aspirations. They all echoed sentiments of gratitude and their heartfelt pride to be Salesians of Don Bosco.
The jubilee celebration concluded with a fitting end, that is with a sumptuous meal organized at Savio Hall. The entire jubilee celebration was coordinated and supervised by Fr. Vijay Soy, the Vice-Provincial along with his able team members who left no stone unturned to make sure that this year’s jubilee celebration goes down to the annuls of the New Delhi province as a red-lettered day.
Ashoka Chere