Dimapur, June 10 (MExN): The Don Bosco Society of Dimapur Province, comprising the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Upper Assam, held its 14th triennial convention (provincial chapter) at the Provincial House, Dimapur from June 6 to 9.
It refocused on the deliberations of the 28th General Chapter of the Global Don Bosco Society held in 2020 at Turin in Italy, with the theme, ‘What kind of Salesians for the Youth of Today?’
A press note from Jonas Kerketta, Bosco College of Teacher Education, Dimapur stated that on June 6, Fr Jose Kuruvachira, Provincial, welcomed all the 75 Chapter members and five observers and the invited guests. Bishop Dennis Panipitchai of Miao Diocese (East Arunachal Pradesh) in his address invited the participants to revive Don Bosco’s mission to the poor youth, update formation of Salesians to meet challenges of today’s youth and share their mission with the lay persons.
Sr Alphonsa Kurisingal FMA, (Provincial of the Salesian Sisters of Guwahati Province), Sr Ancy Varghese MSMHC, (Provincial of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, Province of Tinsukia), and Kaisa Kaikho, (on behalf of Joseph Adani, coordinator of Salesian Cooperators), delivered their messages and prayed for the success of the 14th Provincial Chapter.
Fr Tony Pellissery, secretary to the Don Bosco National Forum for the Youth at Risk, delivered the keynote address. He stressed on three urgent requirements to work for today’s youth- Compassion that urges action, Courage that dares to lead, and Creativity that finds ways and means to help needy youth.
On June 7, former Bishop Joseph Aind of Dibrugarh, presided over the Eucharist, and urged chapter members to acquire the heart of Don Bosco that was beating for the love of poor youth. Wanphai Nongrum of Shillong, who has spent considerable years working for neglected youth in various parts of India, and who is associated with the Don Bosco MSW College at Jorhat, shared his experiences of living with and working for the deprived youth.
On June 8, Bishop Albert Hemrom of Dibrugarh prayed for and invited the chapter members to look back and imitate the hard work Salesian pioneers who introduced Don Bosco’s work in Northeast India in 1922.
On June 9, Fr Karinattu Benny Kurian presented the financial status of the Province of Dimapur. In his valedictory speech, Fr Jose Kuruvachira, Provincial, exhorted all to continue Don Bosco’s work for youth with greater zeal and enthusiasm while striving to adapt themselves to the fast changing situation of the modern youth.
