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Vijayawada 20 August 2015: The Bicentenary Celebrations of the birth of Don Bosco, held on 20 August 2015 at Gunadala in
Bishop Grassi high school auditorium solemnly at 5:30 pm. These celebrations were organized at the region level of Vijayawada under the supervision of Fr. Vatti Rayappa Reddy, SDB, the Rector of Don Bosco, Gunadala. All the Salesian institutions of this region namely, Don Bosco Gunadala, Pezzonipet, Guntupalli, Navajeevan, Mangalagiri, Nuzvid and Salesian sisters (FMA) expressed their unique identity as one large family of mind and heart through these remarkable and combined celebrations in the presence of priests, religious, staff, students, children, volunteers and well-wishers.
This became a special occasion to thank God for the gift of Don Bosco, the father and founder of the society of Salesians of Don Bosco as it is being the 200 years of his birth (1815-2015). Bicentennial celebrations began with a solemn and thanksgiving Holy Eucharist presided over by Rev. Govind Joji, the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Vijayawada and Bishop of the diocese of Nalgonda and concelebrated by many other priests. Fr. Yeruva Joji Reddy, the vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Hyderabad Welcomed and greeted the gathering with the words of welcome. His grace Msgr. Joji highlighted Don Bosco as a father and friend of youth, the guardian of the souls and a great educator in his introductory talk. He appreciated Salesians for their various services rendered in education, social work, youth animation, faith formation and missions across 134 countries all over the world.
Fr. M. Prasad, the Director of social service centre, Vijayawada in his homily focused on the qualities of Don Bosco and
exhorted the gathering to take Don Bosco as an example and a model. The beautiful cultural prorgramme with dances, songs and messages reflcetd the heart, mind and the spirit of Don Bosco and edified every one. Thereafter, Fr. Salibindla Balashowry, the Executive Director of Navajeevan Bala Bhavan propsed vote of thanks. The celebrations had a memorable conclusion with a delicious agape.
