ALTAR SERVERS RALLY

Altar Servers Rally organized at Don Bosco Matunga

Some of our youngsters at the banner

On the 20th October, 27 youngsters from St. Dominic Savio's, Andheri, boarded the school bus to Don Bosco Matunga to participate in the Altar Servers Rally organized by the Salesians of Don Bosco of the Mumbai Province. There were participants from most of our institutions, Don Bosco Parish, Borivili; The Resurrection Church, Virar; Jyoti Mata Church, Jyoti; Our Lady of Dolours, Wadala West; St. Dominic Savio, Antop Hill, Wadala East; and a contingent also came from our mission in Dakor, Gujarat.

The backdrop for the Altar Servers Rally on the Main Stage

The organizers did make sure that the youngsters were well taken care of with snacks, meals, refreshments, spiritual inputs, a beautiful Eucharist presided over by the Provincial, Fr. Michael Fernandes, and to wind up the day with a Quizz on: the Bible, a Marian quizz and a quizz on Don Bosco.

Our youngsters waiting eagerly to register at the event

As we reached the venue, the participants were asked to register their names and each participant was given a take-away bag that contained three comic books on the life of Don Bosco, a little leaflet on the life of St. Dominic Savio and some other writing material for the programme. Each youngster also got a T-Shirt that had the theme of the event 'Serving God in Our Neighbour' printed on the back of the T-shirt.

Our youngsters participating in the March Past

Jyoti Parish in the March Past

After the registration, all were given some breakfast before the inauguration of the Altar Servers Rally. Fr. Edwin D'Souza the Rector of the Shrine and of the Provincial House, declared the event open and wished all a very enjoyable day.

Fr. Edwin D'Souza, the Rector of the Shrine declaring the event open

To get all together and going the volunteers had some ice-breakers and games to make sure the participants got to know each other and mixed with one another. After a series of ice-breakers the groups then went to the Primary Hall for a power-point programme and a personal reflection. It was a popular number by Michael Jackson entitled Man in the Mirror. Each group at the end of their discussion had to come out with some practical resolutions that they would be able to undertake when they went back to their institutions and parishes.

Bro. Brenden with Aurelius steering the discussions of our youngsters

on what we can do to change the world

Our group came up with the following resolution:

'We commit ourselves to be of service to the Church.

We will visit a home for the aged and put up and entertainment programme.

We will donate toiletries for the home.'

These resolutions were read out by each Parish/Institution at the Eucharist.

Participating at the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Provincial

The finale was the prize distribution and The Resurrection Parish of Virar were the winners of the day taking away the trophy. Our Lady of Dolours, Wadala were the Runners-Up.

Getting ready for the afternoon games of box cricket and football