Jharkhand, Hatia, Nov. 6, 2018: Delhi Provincial Congress of the Association of Salesian Cooperators held on 6th November & 7th November, 2018 at Don Bosco Centre, Hatia, Ranchi. The theme of this meeting was: The Mission and Commitment of the Salesian Cooperator.
There were 60 members from 4 Units – Hatia, Kokar, Vasant Vihar, Okhla and 9 aspirants of Kuwarmunda. The programme started by all the members partaking joyfully in the Eucharistic celebration with a grateful heart. The main celebrant Rev. Fr. Michael, Rector Kokar earnestly gave a powerful homily inviting the Salesian cooperators to reflect upon how they respond to the call of the Lords invitation for the banquet. He also requested the Salesian Co-operators to take the role of the servant who with humility and commitment reaches out to others with the master’s invitation. The Flag hoisting ceremony was done by the Rector Rev. Fr. Hilarius and the members zealously sang the Hymn to St. Don Bosco.
The Inaugural session began by declaring the 2nd Provincial Congress open by the Provincial Coordinator Mr. Emmanuel Johnson. The congregation stood revering the enthronement of the Holy Bible symbolizing the presence of the Lord. It was solemnly done with the procession dance by the Hatia Unit members.
The lighting of the lamp was done by Provincial SDB Delegate Rev. Fr. Regi Tom, Provincial FMA Delegate, Emmanuel Johnson & T.K Devasia, Rev. Fr. Hilarius & Rev.Fr. Michael, Senior most Salesian Co-operato Mrs. Vencentia Soren & Mr. Boas Topno, Fr. Henry Hatia Unit delegate and Fr. Simon Kuwarmunda Unit delegate.
The rendition of the welcome group song and the prayer dance brightened the day. Mr. Emmanuel welcomed the gathering and appreciated the wholehearted participation of the members to know each other and also to help each other to grow as a Salesian cooperator.
In the key note address, the SDB Provincial delegate Rev.Fr. Regi Tom stressed that it is a historical moment for the Delhi Province Salesian Co-operators who decided to have this congress in this Chota Nagpur Region, the soil where many saints rest, this soil has raised many war heroes and blessed with music and rhythm, simplicity of life and strong community harmony. Mother Church challenges the laity to be sharers of Christ’s prophetic and priestly mission. The vocation is not vacuum but vibrant. We must read the signs of the time and be formed and become intern, belonging to the church by being a church. Have the Cooperators become a bonsai? A decorative piece kept on the table with neatly pruned branches? Individual participation, group participation and a need of deeper spirituality, interpersonal communication, proper sharing in planning, and paying attention to the selection of the members should be given priority. Stagnation is death and changes are inevitable. A willingness to share the mission by starting NGO, Apostolic ministry, social work, schools, putting your resources by starting new initiatives to reach out to the youth.
(Salesian Co-operators)