Training Programme – Skills for SCC Animators.
The Training Programme – Skills for SCC Animators was held at Sarvodaya, St. Pius Diocesan Seminary, from 4th to 6th November 2011.
The programme began with a mass celebrated by Bishop Bosco Penha, whose homily was focused on the role of Small Christian Communities as a Good Samaritan reaching out in Service. He also emphasized that we should be good listeners, and that the celebration of Eucharist does not end with Mass but continues till the following Sunday - putting the Mass into action throughout the week. For this, the qualities required of SCC animators are humility, sharing, caring and concern.
The 1st session conducted by Fr. Patrick D’mello, Deepening my Prayer Life, gave an insight into a different forms of Prayer – particularly the Contemplative prayer which brings about awareness of mind, heart & body and this brings us closer to God. He spoke of Handling conflicts in Family, Society, Office and as Animators in SCC meetings by animating, inspiring, enabling people to discover their talents, coordinating, initiating, sharing responsibility and respecting and trusting people and thus building a Team spirit.
The session conducted by Anand Castellino was truly an Awakening to Reality, to the present scenario of the world. It was an eye opener to respect other faiths with openness, willingness and readiness to learn from others. This session helped us in developing positive attitudes for collaborating and networking with people of other faiths, while uncompromisingly maintaining our own identity, beliefs and religious tolerance.
Mr. Adrian Rosario spoke on Holistic Growth wherein a person finds opportunities, expression, growth and empowerment in every facet of life (Spiritual as well as temporal). It is all about blossoming into a complete personality and experiencing fulfillment all round. There are eight aspects which make a life complete viz. Spiritual, Physical life, Socio- Cultural life, Psychological, Intellectual, Economic, Civic & Political Life, and Outreach to people of other faiths.
To sum it all up, the topics dealt with all focused on Service to humanity, caring, sharing, respect for fellow brethren, Christian Values and to play the role of a Good Samaritan. The methodology included role plays and group exercises.
It was indeed an enriching experience for all the 66 participants from various Parishes spread across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai. The participants were a blend of young, middle aged and seniors, with varied experience in service to Communities and the Church. The induction of Youth leaders in SCC activities is the need of the hour for passing on the baton; It was heartening to see seniors working together with youth, and guiding them as Team Leaders to play an important role in SCC activities.
Mrs. Iris Dias.
The Residency
21st November 2011.
Civic Action at O.L. Remedy Church, Poinsur
A signature drive was undertaken regarding the auto rickshaw parking & maintenece on our road. Letters were sent to the BMC, RTO, Police Station regarding the same.
The Civic & Political Cell was later formed in our parish (O L Remedy). With the guidance of our parish community cell leader, letters were drafted & sent under the letter- head of POINSUR RAHIVASI EKTA MANCH (C & Pol. cell name), the Xerox copies of the previous letters were attached & other civic issues were also mentioned. At first the buck was passed from one to the other but, after meeting them personally in a group (4 -5 persons) our voices were heard.
The whole area was fumigated (the area wasn’t fumigated for the past 10 -15 years cause it’s on the peripheral of the ward & both the wards disowned us) & that too on a Saturday after 6pm.
The storm water drain was reconstructed where necessary, the builder had to construct culverts. The choked sewerage pipe line was cleaned (we hadn’t mentioned about this in our correspondence as it oozed out only during the monsoons), and the garbage bins got a concrete platform.
We have miles to go to make our area better
Outing cum Training Program for SCC animators of Salvation Church, Dadar.
