hi there!

I am back! And some news from Don Bosco Parish, Nashik! Some people have not been well: Claude Noronha had a similar health problem as before; his blood count went down and was admitted in the hospital; he is back home resting; do say a prayer for his speedy recovery.

Loraine Goveia, Mr. Cecil Goveia's wife was operated at Pune and is being moved from Sahyadri hospital to In-Laks hospital, Koregaon Park; she is recovering but rather on the serious side; I am in touch with Cecil; the family is asking for prayers and they believe that only prayers can save her and bring her back to health. Incidentally, it happens to be Loraine's Birthday. I just wished her happy birthday. She is personally asking for prayers. I promised her that I will be asking the whole DB Parish to pray for her good health.

Martha from Home for the Aged is somewhat ok now! do pray! Shepherds, Doughlas and Daphney are gracefully ageing; they are at Nashik, unable to attend mass. Do say a prayer for them.

Bye! see you sonn!

hi everybody!

For a long time I have been thinking of getting on to blogging and especially the parish blog. So here am I, after I received an invitation from Fr. Ivo. I am happy to be here and be connected with you from my parish office. Interestingly, this first blog of mine, I am writing over a hot cup of tea after a day's work. It seems as if it is going to rain here at Nashik! It is 6.30 pm and in a short time I will be celebrating the holy eucharist; definitely I will pray for you and you too keep praying for me. Bye for now!

Confessions for the Sunday School children

Confessions are an integral part of the Christian faith. It is here that God comes to us and forgives us of all our tresspasses. He initiates us to the part of living in the image and likeness of Him who is all good. He calls us back to Holiness from our falleness.

Small children are the apple of God's eye. They are the focal point of his love. He cares for them and understands their heart's desire. Yet small as they are, these children can stray away from Gos presence in their own tiny ways. As part of the initiating these children to come closer to God's love, a General confession was organised at the Salesian Novitate (Nashik) for the Sunday School Children of the Don Bosco Parish, Nashik. The confessions began at 5 pm which culminated at 6 in the evening with action songs taught by brothers Ashley ofm cap and Nv. Derek. Fr. Solomon Rapol sdb, the Novice Master and Fr. Valerian Pereira sdb were the confessors for the day.

From Jerusalem

This post is from Jerusalem... I want to say a big thank you to all of you, dear parishioners as well as staff and students of the school, for the great love and affection I experienced from you over the last 2 years, and especially in the last 2 weeks.

If you have any news or views for this blog in future, do feel free to contact either Fr Nelson or Bro Rickson.

Of course, there is also the Don Bosco Parish group on Facebook.

Thank you once again, and blessings and wishes from the Holy City. This afternoon I will pay a visit to the Holy Sepulchre, the great site of the Burial and Resurrection of Jesus.A promise of prayers for all of you!

Ivo Coelho, SDB

Jacklin Francis' mother-in-law passes away

Jacklin Francis (Zone A) lost her mother-in-law on Friday, 8 July 2011. She left immediately with her sons, Kevin and Darryl, for the village in M.P. Quite journey, and with two kids.

Please keep the deceased person in your prayers, as well as Jacklin and her family.

Nikhil's father in hospital

Nikhil John's father had a mild heart attack yesterday. Luckily he got to a good doctor in time. Much better today, in Vijan Hospital, College Road. Prayers please.

EPCC meeting

The first meeting of the Council of the Educative-Pastoral Community (EPCC) of Don Bosco Nashik met at 1800 hrs, 25 June 2011.

Those present were: Sr Anelfreda Miranda, FMA; Sr Mariette, FMA, Superior, Maria Vihar; Ms Cecilia Sable, Clerk Don Bosco School; Ms Lily Nirmal, Teacher Don Bosco School and Salesian Cooperator; Ms Meena Tribhuvan, Supervisor and Teacher, Don Bosco School; Agnelo Sagar, Salesian Cooperator; and SDBs of DB Nashik. 

Deaths

Don Bosco parish lost three senior parishioners in the last few weeks:

Mrs Olive D'Souza, mother of Dominic D'Souza
Mr Vincent Dias, father of Christopher Dias
Ms Myrtle Paul, Nirmala Home for the Aged.

RIP.

Don Bosco HSC inauguration on 4 July

The Higher Secondary Section of Don Bosco School, Nashik, will be inaugurated at 1130 hrs, 4 July 2011. Fr Michael Fernandes, SDB, provincial of the Mumbai province of the Salesians, will be the chief guest.

Though permission has been obtained for 3 streams, only Science and Commerce will begin this year. The capacity is 80 students per stream.

Staff is in place, as well as laboratory, library, and other facilities. Timings will be from 1415 hrs up to 1800 hrs.

Admissions began soon after the SSC results were declared. The response has been encouraging, though the final lists have yet to be put up.

SCC results 2011

Congrats to all three Catholic schools in our parish for securing 100% results in the SSC exams. If the schools concerned send me the details, at ivo.coelho@gmail.com, I will be happy to put them up here.  

Mr Gaikwad (Chandsi) hospitalized

Vicky Gaikwad just told me that his father has been hospitalized - probably with a heart attack. Vicky and his sister Rosy are in Don Bosco School, while another sister Maria is in Kilbil.

Please keep Mr Gaikwad in your prayers. (The family used to live earlier in Chandsi. They moved to a relative's house near Pumping Station, off Gangapur Road, a couple of years ago.)

Youth picnic to Karjat

The Don Bosco sector parish youth group went for an overnight picnic to Don Bosco Karjat. There are 10 of us, including two animators (Rickson and myself). The only disappointment was that there was no rain! Apart from that, the picnic was great: treks up the hill on the property, ghost stories, trekking up a waterfall, and great meals provided with much love by the Don Bosco community.

One of the highlights was Fr Xavier Devadas' explanation of what was happening on the campus: the MORD, the ecological iniatives, the animation centre. 

Parish council meeting, 11 June 2011

Parish Council Meeting just concluded, and also a Zone A leaders meeting.

One of the main topics was the Sunday School: how to have a better attendance. Suggestions: (1) A complete register of children, with marking of attendance; (2) Follow up of attendance through our 3 Catholic schools, and with parents; (3) Follow up through area leaders; (4) arrangements for transport to be worked out in the Areas.

Another topic was the planning of the 20 years anniversary of the parish (1991-2011), which coincides also with the Visit of the Relics of Don Bosco (6 August) and the International Year of Youth. Tomorrow, at the 1830 mass, the anniversary will be inaugurated.

Yet another important initiative was Training of Leaders and Catechists. Bishop Edwin Colaco will give a session to both groups, 1600-1800 hrs, Sunday, 3 July 2011. Fr Michael Gonsalves will give a session to Catechists, 1600-1900 hrs, Saturday, 9 July, and to Parish Leaders, 1000-1300 hrs, Sunday, 10 July 2011.

Zone A has decided to have an outing to Swami Shilananda's Ashram, Sinnar, on 26 June 2011. Your area leaders will contact you with more details. 

Vincent Dias passes away

Mr Vincent Dias passed away at around 1800 hrs this evening, 10 June 2011. He was 73.

A few days ago Vincent suffered a heart attack and was admitted to Sai Baba Hospital near Kalidas Mandir. He was also heavily diabetic.

The funeral mass will be at 1000 hrs tomorrow, 11 June 2011, at Don Bosco Church.

I remember Vincent as a happy man. He lived alone in his third floor flat at Eden Gardens, but was content and happy. He had a group of friends who used to pass the evenings in his house playing cards. I have never heard him complain or grumble. RIP, Vincent!

Our condolences to his family.

Olive D'Souza passes away

Olive D'Souza, mother of Dominic D'Souza, mother-in-law of Lucy D'Souza, grandmother of Bosco and Keith, passed away yesterday evening (2 June). She was 84. The funeral will be held this evening, beginning with mass at Don Bosco at 1500 hrs. RIP to Olive, who was one of our oldest parishioners, and our prayers for the family.

Transfers

It is the time of transfers. Here's attempting an incomplete list of people moving out of our parish; please feel free to add to it.

DB Nashik: Bros. Ajay Shelke and Velasli Bandya.
Divyadaan: Frs Anton D'Souza, Aloysius Hemrom, Alapurackal Jose
STI: Fr Vinod Mascarenhas, Bro Dinesh Vasava
Kilbil: Srs Archana and Vincy.
Maria Vihar: Sr Sajan
Pallotti: Fr George (on transfer to Arunachal Pradesh)

A warm welcome to:

Fr Tony D'Souza, former provincial of INB (Divyadaan)
Fr Thomas Chalissery (Divyadaan)
Sr Rose Corte and Maria Carvalho (Kilbil)
Sr Supriya (SHTC)
Junior sisters (SHTC, which has become a Juniorate for this year)
SDB brothers from Gauhati province (Divyadaan)
SDB novices from INB and INP (STI)

Goa Pilgrimage

About 70 parishioners from both sectors of the parish went on a pilgrimage to Goa, 18-22 May 2011, led by Fr Nelson. They camped at Don Bosco Odxel, and visited the relics of St Francis Xavier at Bom Gesu, Old Goa, Calangute beach, Mapusa Market, and the picturesque village of Soccorro in North Goa, near Porvorim.

For photos see Facebook. 

Olive D'Souza

Mrs Olive D'Souza, mother of Dominic D'Souza, was administered the Anointing of the Sick yesterday just before lunch.

Olive has not been taking solid food for almost two weeks now, and, while able to swallow liquids, is unable to speak or move much.

Prayers for her, and for Lucy, Dominic and the family.

Capuchin provincial chapter 2011

The Capuchin Fathers and Brothers begin their provincial chapter at Capuchin Ashram, Don Bosco Marg, Nashik, tomorrow, 10 May 2011. We wish them well and assure them of our prayers. 

Fr Diego's birthday

Fr Diego celebrates his birthday on 12 May. You are all invited for the parish Eucharist at 1900 hours, 12 May, to wish and pray for him, and to join him in thanking God for the gift of life, faith and vocation. 

Vocation Camp Lonavla, May 2011

Eight youngsters left for the vocation camp at Don Bosco Lonavla this morning, accompanied by Bro Velasli and Ansilon Fernandes: Calvin, Charles, Kevin Francis, Kevin D'Souza, Shaun, Shyju, Richard and Vicky. They were accompanied to the station, where they took the 0535 Manmad-Pune Express for Lonavla.

Bro Velasli just phoned saying they had arrived safely at Lonavla station, and were in rickshaws proceeding to the school.

A valiant attempt was made to finish the various piles of idlis, chapatis, puries, chocolates and fruits (thanks to the offertory processions of yesterday).

The gang will be back on 12 May. The Pune-Manmad Express is due to arrive at 1930 hours at the station. Some arrangements will be made to bring them to Don Bosco Church. 

First Communions

Yesterday, 4 children received first communion at Satpur, another 4 and an adult at Don Bosco Church. The Don Bosco Church ceremony began at 1630, a somewhat odd timing; some parishioners were caught unawares and arrived for the usual 1830 mass, and were disappointed.

The 4 at Don Bosco were: Reetil, Mary, Vivek and Tuerry. The adult was Vikram.

Congratulations to all those involved in preparing the children: Stella Salve, Bro Velasli, the parents who did a great deal, and the parish priest. 

Relic Pilgrimage of Don Bosco to Nashik

The Relics of Don Bosco will visit Nashik on Saturday, 6 August 2011.

The van carrying the relics is expected to arrive in Nashik from Baroda in the early hours of 6 August. There will be a welcome at the Maria Vihar end of Don Bosco Marg, and perhaps a small detour into the Divyadaan compound. The Relics will be placed in Don Bosco Church, and will be available for veneration the whole day, except during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which should be at 1830 hours and perhaps (in Marathi) at 1200 hours.

The Visit will be preceded by spiritual and other animation, and such events will continue after the visit well up to 31 January 2012, Feast of Don Bosco. The aim is spiritual revival for members of the Salesian Family, parishioners, youth, and all people of goodwill. The mission of Don Bosco is the welfare of young people, most especially those at risk in one way or another, and this can be shared and is shared by all people of goodwill.

Bishop Lourdes Daniel has welcome the Visit and extended his wholehearted support. He sees it as one more opportunity for helping the Diocese grow in faith.

In the evening, or perhaps early morning, the Relics will move to Ahmednagar, and from there to Pune, Lonavla, and Mumbai (Borivli, Andheri and Matunga).  

Catechists felicitated

The catechists of the DB sector were felicitated with a festive lunch this afternoon at Don Bosco Parish... Sisters from SHTC, Maria Vihar and Nirmala Convent; brothers from Divyadaan, Capuchin Ashram and STI...

Thank you dear brothers and sisters for your precious service to our children. 

Youth meeting, Sunday, 27 Mar 2011

This morning's youth meeting was attended by Cheryl Nirmal, Ansilon Fernandes, Nikhil John, Ross Lewis, Sushma Shrivastwa.

The lectio divina was on the gospel of the day: the Samaritan Woman (Jn 4:4-42).

The accounts of the Interparish Lenten Recollection were presented. The Way of the Cross on 1 April will be practised on the day itself. The rest of the meeting was dedicated to preparing the animation for this evening's mass.

And the photos from the Recollection were uploaded... to FB. 

Forthcoming: recollection for youth of Nashik and Igatpuri

Youth of Nashik and Igatpuri: you are all welcome to Divyadaan on Sunday, 13 March 2011, for our annual Lenten recollection. We will be having a penitential rite conducted by Fr Vinod Mascarenhas, with opportunities for your Lenten confession. After a lunch break and some fun, there will be a video, and then mass - early enough so that our friends from Igatpuri can catch the train back home.

Please give your names either to me or to Nikhil... asap.

Don Bosco Nashik on Facebook

Nelson has created a new Don Bosco Parish group on Facebook, and it is going great guns. Congrats Nelson! FB is certainly the new meeting place. 

Sunday School picnic to Pandavlene

The Sunday School children (Don Bosco sector) had a picnic to Pandavlene and Phalke Smarak a couple of weeks ago. The children, whose enthusiasm was infectious, had a ball, and the animators no less. I paid a brief visit to them with Bro Rickson and a couple of youth (Nikhil and Ansilon), and had a hard time dragging these back... Congrats to Bro Velasli and the whole gang of teachers and animators. 

Interparish Youth Session again at Igatpuri

The youth of the five parishes of Nashik City and Igatpuri met again at Igatpuri for a one day session animated by Fr Roger / Raju OP from Goa.

Fr Roger led a very lively session, consisting of singing, talking, prayer, and mass. He challenged our youth to examine the values they live by, and to make their commitment to God in a conscious and deliberate way. Especially significant was the homily on the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. This point bore clarification, because many have the idea that the presence of Jesus is 'merely symbolic'.

Participants from our parish: Nikhil, Cheryl, Carol, Ansilon, Rephan, Delvin, Sophia. From Holy Cross 1, St Ann's 7, St Patrick's 5, Igatpuri about 15. A group of about 40, counting also the animators.

Fr Roger pointed out that in Jn 6, Jesus uses one word for eating his flesh (phagein), till the Jews challenge him. Then, in Jn 6:54, he uses another word (trogon), which originally meant animal eating.... This, he says, was meant to stress for us the reality of his gift of his flesh, and the need for us to devour him, live by him.

So: phagein, trogon. Flesh is not really 'meat' or 'piece of meat' except in the most direct, literal type of understanding and translation. It is SARX, which has a wealth of meaning in the NT, as has, I suppose, eating, in both OT and NT. Frank Moloney in The Gospel of John is quite good on this point: he says this 'eating with the teeth' hints at the violence of the Passion, as does the separation of flesh and blood.

Another site, http://www.lectionarystudies.com/studyg/studyn/sunday20bgn.html:

oJ trwgwn (trwgw) pres. part. "whoever eats" - the one feeding on, nibbling, munching, gnawing. The participle functions as a substantive. Now the eating is present tense, rather than aorist. The verb was originally used of animals eating, later of humans, but of eating in a rough manner. Brown sees this literalism as an evidence that the eating and drinking is a reference to the Lord's Supper. Again, this seems unlikely. The present tense may indicate continued action. "Our Lord meant the habit of continually feeding on him all day long by faith. He did not mean the occasional eating of material food in an ordinance", Ryle.

  
Whatever. We need to strengthen our catechesis. The presence of the Lord in the Eucharist is not 'merely symbolic' in the greatly devalued contemporary sense of symbol.

Satpur youth and mahila mandal picnic

Fr Oscar Tuscano celebrates New Year Midnight Mass

Fr Oscar Tuscano celebrated the New Year Midnight Mass at Don Bosco Church. This was also his First Mass in our parish. Fr Oscar did his novitiate at STI, his postnovitiate philosophical studies at Divyadaan, and then 3 years of college studies at Don Bosco Nashik. He was ordained 29 December 2010 by Abp. Felix Machado in his home parish of Holy Spirit, Nandakhal, Vasai.

Fr Oscar is a missionary in Albania, under the Province of Naples. His provincial and 3 other salesians from his province were with him for the ordination, and also for the Midnight mass on 1 January 2011.