MINISTRIES

Azimganj, June 22, 2025: In a moment of profound spiritual significance, the Salesian Province of St. John Bosco, Kolkata, celebrated the perpetual profession of Brother Robin Ekka and Brother Pynshaibok Nongpluh on Sunday at Don Bosco Azimganj. The ceremony marked their irrevocable commitment to the Salesian religious vocation, a lifelong pledge to serve God and humanity in the spirit of St. John Bosco.

The day commenced with a vibrant welcome procession at 10:00 a.m., featuring a lively band and the presence of numerous Salesians. A solemn Eucharistic celebration followed at Azimganj Parish, presided over by Fr. Joseph Pauria, Provincial of the Kolkata Province. In his homily, Fr. Pauria drew a poignant parallel between the brothers’ perpetual vows and the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, celebrated concurrently. He urged the brothers to emulate Christ’s selfless and sacrificial love, remaining steadfast in their mission.

The presence of the brothers’ parents and family members lent an emotional depth to the occasion, underscoring the communal support for their vocation. The event drew a diverse gathering, including Salesian confreres, members of various religious congregations, diocesan clergy, and lay faithful from across the region, all united in prayer and celebration.

Following the Eucharist, a cultural program showcased the rich talents of the local community, honoring the newly professed brothers with heartfelt performances. The festivities concluded with a joyous meal hosted at the Azimganj English Medium School, fostering a spirit of fraternity and shared joy among all attendees.

Brother Robin Ekka and Brother Pynshaibok Nongpluh’s perpetual profession stands as a testament to their unwavering dedication to the Salesian charism, inspiring the community to continue supporting their mission of service and faith.
By Clement Soren

MALBAZAR, June 8, 2025 – Don Bosco Parish Oodlabari left an indelible mark at the Malbazar Deanery Youth Convention, held from June 6 to 8 at Malbazar Parish, Jalpaiguri Diocese, under the theme "Youth and Environment." The three-day event, blending faith, environmental action, and creativity, saw Oodlabari youth clinch first place in the art and craft competition and a third-place tie in the Bible Quiz, showcasing their talent and dedication.

The convention opened on June 6 with a vibrant procession of the regional cross, followed by a Holy Mass led by Fr. Oswald Xalxo, Dean of Malbazar Deanery, who urged participants to champion environmental stewardship. On the second day, Mr. Saurav Kullu from Chandigarh delivered inspiring sessions on faith and ecology, complemented by a Catholic Sabha member’s career guidance talk. A tree-planting ceremony saw parish leaders and chief guests plant 17 saplings, symbolizing sustainability. The gathering split into 12 groups for discussions on faith and environmental issues, fostering collaboration. A Taize prayer with the regional cross enriched the spiritual experience, while Oodlabari’s youth shone in the art and craft competition, securing first place, and tied with Sylee Parish for third in the Bible Quiz on the Gospel of St. Matthew. The day closed with a vibrant State Culture Show celebrating regional diversity.

On June 8, His Grace Bishop Fabian Toppo, newly ordained Bishop of Jalpaiguri Diocese, celebrated Sunday Mass and planted three saplings as a lasting memento. Fr. James Bara, the new Diocesan Youth Director, led a session on youth leadership, reinforcing the diocese’s commitment to empowering young Catholics. The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, a lively band show, and a final performance by local youth, including Oodlabari’s, alongside Mr. Saurav Kullu.

Oodlabari’s standout achievements in art and craft and the Bible Quiz, combined with their enthusiastic participation, highlighted their commitment to faith, creativity, and environmental responsibility, leaving a lasting impact on the convention.

Ricky Pullock

OODLABARI, June 3, 2025 – Don Bosco School in Oodlabari transformed into a vibrant hub of inspiration during the SPARK25 Youth Camp, held from June 1 to 3. The event united 187 young participants aged 17–25 from 13 surrounding villages, fostering faith, creativity, and personal growth in a dynamic setting.

The camp opened on June 1 with a colorful procession, followed by a prayer service and a symbolic lamp-lighting ceremony. Fr. Dr. Antony Vayalil, Parish Priest, delivered a stirring welcome address, urging the youth to embrace learning and transformation. Fr. Dr. Aju Kurian, Rector and Principal, officially launched the camp, setting the stage for three days of impactful activities.

The program featured a diverse array of events, including icebreakers, quizzes, extempore speeches, Rangoli-making, canvas painting, and a lively campfire, creating an inclusive and festive atmosphere. Guided meditations and motivational sessions added depth, encouraging holistic development. Mr. Himanshu Singh, a Jadavpur University alumnus, inspired attendees with insights into career opportunities in the defense sector, while Dr. Frederick Kerketta, Assistant Professor at KKM College of Education, Pakur, challenged participants to overcome cultural and geographical barriers to unlock their potential.

Organized by Fr. John Selvan, Bursar and Vice Principal, alongside youth leaders, SPARK25 concluded with participants leaving energized and equipped with new perspectives. The camp’s blend of faith, creativity, and motivation left a lasting impact, igniting a spark for personal and collective growth.

Sonada, March 30, 2025:  The brothers from Salesian College Sonada in collaboration with the Village Elders Association of Balasun organized the Annual Sports’ Day on 30 March, 2025 at Balasun Football Gound for the young people of seven surrounding villages.

The programme started at 10:00 am with the registration. S.K Chamling, the president of the Village Elders Association delivered the welcome speech which was followed by khada arpan ceremony to all the esteemed guests of the day - Umesh Agarwal, Manager of Balasun Tea Estate, and Pemba Tamang, the Panchayat President. Br. Samuel Salahe SDB, sang a song to set the tune for the day. After the national anthem Br. Kushal Kami SDB, introduced the programme of the day highlighting the basic rules and regulations of the competitions.

The various events were categorized under junior and senior sections. Each event was organized separately for boys and girls. Dances and other entertaining items were interspersed with sports events to give time to relax and lighten the atmosphere filled with competitive spirit.  Fifty-five young people from seven villages participated in the sports.  

Mr. S.K Chamling, the president of the association while addressing the gathering acknowledged the good and effective initiatives taken by the brothers for the welfare of the young people.  He encouraged them to initiate more such activities to help the young from rural settings to develop their hidden and untapped potential. Niraj Mukhia, a youth from Mali Busty, spoke of the day saying, “It’s a wakeup call for me, to furthermore explore my potentialities and to build up a good foundation for further growth”. As the programme came to a closure all the participants received a medal each and the champion’s trophy was lifted by Lower Balasun.   The day came to a grand finale with fellowship gathering around a cup of Darjeeling Tea.

Br. Abhay Dungdung SDB, the general coordinator of the entire programme expressing his great satisfaction said, “The young people of these villages gave us such a wonderful opportunity to reach out to them and serve them the Don Bosco way.  It’s a small step in our learning to be with the young”.

Cl. Octopaul Marbaniang SDB

Sonada, March 28, 2025: Salesian College, Sonada organized the annual Salesian Fiesta, an inter-school event, on 28th March 2025, when nearly 300 senior school students from 10 schools came together to celebrate art, culture and talents. 
The event began with the inaugural ceremony in the college auditorium, where the organizers set the tone for the entire day. Welcoming the participants, Fr. Johny Nedungatt, the Rector said, “We are here to celebrate our hope through the expression of art, culture and talents”. A special guest performance by the college alumnus Diwakar Khawas added to the event’s grandeur, captivating the audience with his melodious and soulful songs. As a mark of respect and gratitude, khada was presented to the teacher representatives from various schools.

 
Following the opening ceremony, the students participated in a variety of events held at different venues across the College Campus. The atmosphere of festive outdoor setting where food stalls and a variety of games organized by the students of the College, created an engaging and joy-filled  environment for all.  The events reached the high point at  2:00 PM when all the participants gathered again in the auditorium for the  prize distribution ceremony, where each school’s achievements were duly recognized.

A teacher representative from St. Michael School, Darjeeling, expressed his happiness with the programme stating, “We are very happy to participate in this programme and we have learned so much from it,” which resonated with the collective sentiment of the day. 

Feedback from students as well highlighted the event’s success. Abhiyan Thapa from Ruhiyyih School, Jorebungalow commented, “It was a learning experience for me and  I also enjoyed.” Another student , Parijat Chettri from St. Anthony School, Kurseong added, “ Overall, it was good. The hosting of the programme was well managed.”

The festivities concluded with vote of thanks by the chief coordinator, Miss. Ashwini Tamang, who acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the faculty and students that made the event a huge success. The closing performance by Backlash Band, followed by DJ Lazy Soul, left a lasting impression on everyone, encapsulating the spirit of learning and enjoyment.

Cl. Clement Soren SDB

Bangladesh, February 28 - A national youth gathering was organized for the dioceses of Bangladesh at Don Bosco Telunjia-Utrail on February 28, 2025!

This event brought together young people from various dioceses across Bangladesh, providing a platform for fellowship, faith, and personal growth!