Praying and Learning for Pastoral Effectiveness By Pastoral Council TeamMumbai, Jan. 25. The Parish Pastoral Council of Don Bosco Parish Nashik had an animation program on January 20, 2013 at Devlali under the direction of Fr. Bastin Thomas. Fr. Bastin Thomas and eleven other members (area leaders and religious) took part in the programme spending the day with each other building bonds of togetherness and receiving inputs on motivation and the importance of prayer.
The first part of the morning began with the Eucharist celebrated by the parish priest Fr. Bastin. Quality time was spent to pray and reflect on the Word of God for which the second reading of the Liturgy was found very opportune, in which Paul asks the Christian community of Corinth to recognize the gifts of the Spirit and to share them for building up of the community. Fr. Bastin reflected on the various gifts which exist among the people of God and how the parish pastoral council members need to identify and build them all for the greater glory of God and the service of the community.
After a hot cup of soup served by the novitiate community of the Franciscan Hospitallers of Immaculate Conception (FHIC) Sisters at their convent, the next two hours were dedicated to reflecting on motivation, self-esteem, building good habits and recognizing the importance of prayer and daily meditation in our lives as leaders.
Interesting insights were shared by Mr Jones Solomon and others present using diverse 'gurus' such as Shiv Khera, Stephen Covey and others. The central focus of the workshop was to use corporate and management insights to build more vibrant leaders among us and to motivate our communities and zones towards better and vibrant Christian living.
After the 'business' part of the program time was spent at the parish rectory of St. Patrick's Church Devlali to relax together and enjoy a fraternal meal prepared through the kindness of Fr. Peter D'souza the parish priest.
The leisurely lunch was followed by an entertaining ''Housie'' game and a visit to the Artillery Museum in the Cantonment, after which the entire team returned home with a rejuvenated spirit determined to serve and lead our brothers and sisters in the Don Bosco Parish.