Thursday, December 25, 2008

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Dear friends,

Christmas greetings are a wonderful means to renew old acquaintances and to make new ones...
I have been pleasantly surprised by the wonderful people who still think of me though I have been remiss in keeping in touch...The phone calls that came through and those that called because they missed me calling them...Thank God for all these people...
So here comes a wish for a season of peace, good cheer, family togetherness and love...May the babe of Bethlehem bless you and your near and dear ones...
We had a great Christmas in the community. I am posting pictures of our crib and Christmas tree prepared by Bros. Johnson and Neville...

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

REASONS FOR THE ADVENT SILENCE

Well dear friends, if you are wondering why this blog is being updated so sporadically here are two good reasons:

1. In the last week 5 days have been spent carol singing - bringing Christmas joy to the families in our parish...with a group of about 18 young people ranging in ages from 12 to 25....all enthusiastic, most good singers and definitely all filled with good will to spread the Christmas message...

2. There are also many other preparations going on and you can sample the menu by looking at our Christmas programs...

But hopefully this phase will pass and the updates will be more regular....until then all of you have a great Christmas season with much joy, peace and love...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

GROWING INTO DON BOSCO


This picture was taken during the recent jubilee celebration of Fr. Diego. I thought it was symbolic of the attempt that all SDBs are making to 'return to' Don Bosco as we live his spirit in our world.

May each of us be enabled in this pursuit!!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

THE JUBILEE MASS IN PICTURES



THE JUBILEE IN PICTURES

Here are some of the high points of the jubilee of Fr. Diego Nunes - Principal of Don Bosco School Nashik in pictures.


Representatives from each section of the school present a floral bouquet.




Here the jubilarian cuts the cake at the festive lunch organized for relatives, friends, religious and well-wishers.
A section of the crowd enjoying the tasty lunch in the Don Bosco School quadrangle.

SALUTING 'A MAN FOR OTHERS'

In our fast evolving world anything that lasts for 25 years is ordinarily considered prehistoric, ancient and very often also redundant. But there are some things that stand the test of time and attain meaning precisely because of that.

December 17 2008 was one such significant day as Nashik celebrated 25 years to the day when Fr. Diego Nunes - Principal of Don Bosco School, Nashik, was ordained a priest at Uttan.

The day began with the community gathering round Fr. Diego to pray for him and to thank God with him. At 11 am the jubilarian was welcomed with showers of rose petals along with his family members for a felicitation program organized by the staff and students of Don Bosco School, Nashik.

The students vied with each other to express their joy at the accomplishment of this milestone. A powerpoint presentation summarised the journey that Fr. Diego has taken in the last 25 years and the songs and dances all focussed on fidelity and gratitude. Special mention must be made of a skit highlighting the key elements of the Salesian system of education. The festive lunch for invitees followed in the school quadrangle which had been beautifully decorated for the occassion. The teachers of the school, some parents and religious from the city had been invited to felcitate Fr. Diego.

All this, however, was merely a prelude to the central moment of the celebration - the Thanksgiving Eucharist - presided over by Fr. Diego - which began at 6:30 pm. A prayer dance by the children of Satpur; some very beautiful and harmonious singing by the brothers of Divyadaan; an inspiring homily by Fr. Robert Pen; and a symbolic procession with 25 lamps carried by religious, lay people and children; all made for a prayerful and truly worship-ful moment. After the Eucharist it was the turn of the Don Bosco parishioners to wish and congratulate Fr. Diego. The novices of STI used the medium of music to describe the call of Fr. Diego, and they were followed by dances and songs, both classical and modern. Finally, it was the turn of the jubilarian to express his thanks for a day celebrating his fidelity and dedication. He left to all a message on the need to share our gifts even while he thanked the Lord and others who had helped him weather the storms of the years. In the hearts of all those who had spent the day celebrating fidelity rang the words of the beautiful hymn rendered in 3 voices by the Divyadaan community -

All thru the years, you have been at my side, O Lord
All thru the years, you have been my guide, O Lord
All thru the years, you have taken my hand in yours,
Kept me in your love.

And in my nothingness and in my lowliness
I sing your praises, Lord, I sing your faithfulness
And then my heart o'erflows in joy and gratitude
And I adore you, Lord!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

ADVENT IS HERE...

  • A long time has passed since this blog was updated...and since we are in the Advent season - here are a few resources that I have found inspirational...
  • The website of the Australian SDBs has a series of pamphlets that can be downloaded and printed to enable Advent reflection in parishes, families and religious communities...The first has instructions on how to use the pamphlets and the rest take us through the four weeks prayerfully and reflectively....
  • Happy Advent...May each of us enjoy the waiting and longing as a preparation for His Coming....He Comes, He Comes, He Ever Comes....
WELCOME PEOPLE....RELAX...READ ON...