``Accept and love the young!`` The Archbishop exhorts the Salesians at the Provincial Chapter
By Maria Charles sdb |
| Chennai, Feb. 2. The Provincial Chapter 2010 of Chennai Province, India began this morning at Citadel, Chennai with 93 members participating in it. The Chapter is to be held from 1st to 5th February 2010. Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, President of the Provincial Chapter, who invoking the Holy Spirit and the guidance of Don Bosco, declared the Provincial Chapter open during a short inaugural session this morning. |
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Return... Renew... Relaunch...is the passionate slogan with which the Provincial Chapter 2010 of Province of Chennai was inaugurated this morning at Citadel, Chennai. The members of Provincial Chapter of Chennai who gathered last evening for a recollection began four intense days of working (2nd to 5th) this morning. 93 members representing 351 Salesians in 47 institutions were divided into seven commissions representing themes: Return to Don Bosco, Evangelisation, Vocation, Poverty, New Frontiers, Organic Provincial Plan and Ongoing Formation.
The Chapter began this morning with the Holy Eucharist presided by Rt. Rev. A.M. Chinnappa, SDB, Archbishop of Chennai-Mylapore, who invited the Salesians to be like Don Bosco, ``to accept and love the young as they are.``
The inaugural session began with an inspiring video prayer by DBICA. Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, Provincial of Chennai welcomed the invitees and the Chapter members. Rt. Rev. A.M. Chinnappa, SDB, presided over the inaugural programme. Salesian Family members were represented by their leaders. Sr. Mary Ann (FMA Provincial), Sr. Jeya Rani (SMA Provincial), Sr. Arokia Mary (MSMHC Sisters), Mr. Adrian Vassou (Provincial Cooperators Coordinator), Mr. Antony Raj (Past Pupils Vice President) and Ms. Kuzandai Teresa (VDB Coordinator) praised the Salesians of Chennai Province for their animation and contribution to their particular Congregation/Group and expressed their hope for a continual cooperation and of course, wished the Chapter members fruitful sharing. The Archbishop in his Presidential address, invited the Salesians to have a `Youth Focus` and like Don Bosco, accept the challenges of working with young people.
A challenging message from the Regional Fr. Maria Arokiam SDB was read out. He invited the Salesians to be ambassadors of love, to give our best to the young, and to share the historical responsibility of this region and send missionaries to various provinces of the Congregation. He also exhorted the Province: ``Your province is known for its apostolic vitality, creative ministries and innovative projects. Let us give thanks to God. We need to continue to push ourselves to the New Frontiers promoted by GC26.``
There was a contemporary musical on Don Bosco and the Salesian system of education, prepared and presented by DBICA. The Moderator Fr. Jayapalan Raphael thanked everyone at the end of the Inaugural session.
During the first session, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Swamikannu, Provincial of Chennai presented a 58 page report on the state of the Province. The report was divided into five parts namely, the statistical data of the confreres and Province; apostolic activities carried out by the communities; commission wise report of the mission in the Province; financial administration in the Province and evaluation of the Province.
In the afternoon the members gathered in their commission to study and revise the working document presented to them. There were suggestions from the members of the Chapter and each commission was expected to discuss and incorporate the suggestions as necessary.
In the evening the members of the Chapter had a lengthy discussion on the state of the Province with Fr. Provincial. There were many clarifications on the report and it is to be noted that the report was well prepared. The first day of the Chapter came to conclusion with adoration of the Eucharistic Lord.
Maria Charles sdb
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