Dimapur, Oct. 24 (EMN): As part of the three-year long preparations for the centenary celebrations in 2022, Salesian conducted a two-day centenary seminar on October 22 and the 23rd at Salesian (Don Bosco) Provincial House, Dimapur, on the theme ‘Evangelisation and Catechesis.’
In all 71 Salesian head of institutions, members of the Salesian family including Salesian sisters, missionary sisters of Mary Help of Christians, SMI sisters, Salesian cooperators, Don Bosco past pupils, Salesians in the secular world and others participated in the seminar, stated Jonas Kerketta from Bosco College of Teacher Education in an update.
The two – day seminar dealt on topics such as ‘Evangelisation- paradigm shift from Benedict XVI to Pope Francis,’ ‘Evangelising mission in North East India,’ ‘Mathew’s Gospel as paradigm for ongoing catechesis,’ ‘Significance of catechesis in the church and Salesian life,’ ‘Ways and means of doing catechesis today,’ and ‘The evangelisation and catechesis scenario in the province of Dimapur.’
Speakers included Dr. Fr. AL Jose SDB from Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong; Dr. David Syiemlieh, former UPSC chairman and vice chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar; Dr. Fr. Jose Varickasseril SDB from Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong; Dr. Fr. Gilbert Choondal SDB, director of NITIKA-National Catechetical Centre, Kolkata; Dr. Fr. Gilbert Choondal SDB, director of NITIKA-National Catechetical Centre, Kolkata; Fr. Nazarius Lakra SDB and Fr. Jose Chemparathy SDB.
The update stated that five Salesian brothers and five Salesian fathers led by Fr. Louis Mathias SDB, all belonging to the society founded by St. John Bosco in the second half of the 19th century, reached Shillong on December 13, 1922. They gradually spread to all the states of North-East India concentrating their works on the education of youth particularly the poor and the marginalised.
It stated that seminar was aimed at generating reflection and planning on better service to the youth of the region by way of faith formation, spiritual guidance, value education, formal education as well as vocational training and empowerment of youth.
