On 19th March 2019, the feast of St. Joseph, the patron saint of SJTC, Lonavla, the General Councillors for Formation Sr. Maria Nieves and the team; Sr. Maria Fisichella and Sr. Anelfreda Miranda were warmly welcomed by the secondary students of Auxilium Lonavla. Thereafter they gathered in the Chapel and prayed that the Holy Spirit enlighten them during the next few days of animation. The aspirants and postulants had the animation for the entire day. They were enlightened about their Salesian vocation and were encouraged to go ahead with confidence and positivity. The group discussions helped them to understand their call in a deeper manner.
The next day i.e. the 20th of March the Formation Team were accompanied by the dhol tasha and jhanj played by the school students. They were felicitated with bouquets, shawls, and coconuts. The compering done by students was done in Italian. The interfaith prayer service and a traditional prayer dance was the special mark of the day. The diversity of our land was portrayed by the school students with a colourful dance fusing different styles.
The girl guides of the school exhibited their physical fitness and skills through a performance of physical fitness and skills through a performance of pyramids. The students receiving special training in gymnastics presented some skillful movements filled with grace and flexibility. The students performed a kunbi dance followed by a Portuguese dance. The Portuguese dance surely carried Sr. Nieves Reboso to her nature land in Europe.
Mother Sr. Nieves Reboso addressed the gathering beginning her speech saying that she was speechless. She was full of praise and appreciation for all efforts of school children. She appreciated the warm welcome and the beautiful programme. Mother also appreciated the role played by all the staff members.
This was followed by the seminar for animators for the next four days. The animators had group discussions, time for reflection, group sharing and going down memory lane so as to relive past memories. The icon of inspiration was Mary at Cana. The six jars which were placed at the statue of Our Lady was a constant reminder to ‘Do whatever He tells you’. Each of the participants received a copy of the ‘Guidelines for the Formation period of Temporary Vows’. The Guidelines is the fruit of the hard work done by the Formation Sector which took into consideration the sharing of nearly 649 young Sisters.
The days of animation for the animators came to a close on 23rd March 2019 with a Thanksgiving Programme.
