The 15th November 2010 was another day to cherish and remember as the Province of Mumbai organized the Altar Servers Rally for all the Don Bosco Institutions in the Province. There were ten institutions that took part in large numbers, two of them from Nashik and Pune joining in for the first time.
The day began with the registration of the candidates and then some breakfast to satisfy their hunger. It was then that the Altar servers from the different institutions participated in the March Past. Dominic Savio's came second the the March Past. Congratulations to the participants.
The youngsters then went to the Primary hall for some animation and to perform their skits and plays that they had prepared on the theme: 'Care For Creation.' I must make mention that the Dominic Savio boys did very well with the skit on 'The Girl Child' and one and all said that it was really good and very well done.
The youngsters were all engrossed and gave their full attention to the skits and songs that were performed on stage. The animators performed a couple of action songs to get the young tapping but it did not help too much.
Fr. Brian, the vocation promoter and the organizer had a little questionnaire given to the kids to fill in. They had to fill in the form and say if they were taking care of creation and in what way or in what way they were misusing creation. The kids were very honest in saying that some of the ways that they did not take care of creation was by wasting water while washing their face in the morning, by using plastic bags and littering the place around, by destroying trees and plants.
In the Primary Hall during the programme
At 11.20 they were sent for a break to quench their thirst and get ready for the Holy Eucharist. The drink was a welcome break and all were set for the Eucharist.
Fr. Rector with some of the DS boys during the break
Organizing the kids before the Eucharist
Fr. Michael Fernandes the Provincial of the Mumbai Province was the main celebrant. There were about ten priest who concelebrated at the Eucharist. Fr. Michael in his homily touched on the call of Jesus to his apostles and disciples and stressed that even today Jesus has called each and every one present to be his representatives in being service minded and reaching out to many people in different ways as altar servers by assisting the priests in going around to bless the homes or visiting the sick etc.
In the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Matunga
Decorated with flowers
Fr. Provincial flanked on his right by Fr. Ajoy Fernandes the
Vice Provincial and Fr. Edwin Colaco in Charge of Groups & Movements
Some of the concelebrants
During the reading of scripture
Fr. Edwin distributing Communion
Fr. Ajoy distributing communion
After the mass the youngsters were invited to visit the school quadrangle as the Shelter were having their Mela for the street kids celebrating Childrens' Day. The grounds were crowded with youngsters from the streets having fun and enjoying themselves with a variety of games and programmes.
Some of the participants at the Mela
Shelter Mela
It was time for lunch and lunch it was, a wonderful spread and the youngsters had their fill and one might say that there were scraps left over after all had their fill. It was topped with kulfi and the line for the kulfi was indeed serpentine! But these youngsters had the patience to wait their turn for that bit of kulfi.
At about 2.00 pm it was time for fun on the grounds and there were games organized for the boys as well as the girls. They were all divided into teams and the Organizer said, 'Let the Games Begin.' It was very exciting to watch them give their best and try and win the game. Unfortunately all can't be winners, but those that lost, lost gracefully and without complaining and whining.
It was not a surprise to know that when the Winners were declared, Dominic Savio's were the Champions and brought the Trophy Home. Congratulations lads for doing a wonderful job and coming out winners.
I do hope this event helped you to reach out and make friends with the others from our Don Bosco Institutions.
Posing in front of the Trophy
