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On 15 November 2017, we had the Celebration of the Salesian Family Day of the Province and the Mission Seminar at St. Michael’s Boys Home, Guntur. A 110 participants representing SDB, FMA, Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils, MSMHC and SMI participated in the day’s event. It was animated by Fr Basanes Guillermo – General Councillor for Missions and by Fr George Thannickal – Delegate for Missionary Animation, South Asia. Fr Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar – Provincial was also present. The theme of the Mission Seminar was ‘Proclaiming Jesus in our Settings.’
Fr Basanes Guillermo, in his presentation focused on three Salesians as living witnesses of proclaiming Jesus in our times. Fr Tom Uzhunnilal – who was kidnapped in March 2016 and held by terrorists in Yemen, before being released in September 2017 with the intervention of Oman and the Catholic Church. Fr Luigi Bolla – an Italian Salesian who worked as a missionary among the Achuars of Peru and Fr Titus Zeman – A Slovak Salesian Priest who died from torture and radiation poisoning after forced labor in Czechoslovakia’s uranium mines in 1952.
Fr George Thannickal presented a paper on Jesus’ Mission in our hands i.e. Proclamation of Christ: Strengthening Missionary Spirit and Commitment in the Salesian Family. This led to the discussion in groups on what has been done so far in the Proclamation of Jesus and lines of action for the time to come. The Holy Eucharist, was presided over by Fr Basanes Guillermo. In the homily he focused on our need in remaining with Jesus and with His people. 
The Provincial Commission for the Education to Faith had moments of sharing with Fr Basanes Guillermo. Last two hours of the day’s animation was dedicated to moments of sharing from every group of the Salesian family. The mission, challenges and future plans were shared. Fr Thathireddy Vijaya Bhaskar, Provincial expressed deep sentiments of appreciation for all that is being done in our settings in fulfillment of the true Salesian Family Spirit. It has been a memorable day indeed to live and to celebrate the charism of Don Bosco lived in today’s context.
