THE GROTTO IS BEING BUILT

Many of our parishioners have contibuted money and ideas for a Marian grotto. We all long for this symbol of our Marian devotion to become a reality. It was scheduled to come up some years ago...

Many hurdles arose and thankfully most have been surmounted....the construction is on and here are a few pictures of the current state of the project. May Our Blessed Mother use this monument to draw each of us to her Son Jesus!

PARISHIONERS AT CHRISTMAS

What have our parishioners been doing in the run up to Christmas? Here is Alice Murdeshwar in the Nashik Times...Others too have perhaps been hitting the headlines...Write in and we will be happy to publish the links...


Christmas Greetings - All peace, love and joy be yours friends!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Here are some pictures of our hall after it was decorated for the Christmas celebrations...Thanks to Mr. Claude Noronha and his team, it looks really wonderful and provides a prayerful ambient for worship and praise to the Newly Born Babe of Bethlehem.














On the wall at the entrance there is this beautiful globe with a picture of the new-born babe in it...Below is a little poem: "Let us be silent this Christmas..."



















This is Fr. Ashley Miranda celebrating the Christmas morning eucharist at 8 am in the parish.

PARISH PROGRAMS AT CHRISTMAS 2008 AND NEW YEAR 2009

Dear Parishioners,

Here are the highlights of our Christmas programs in the parish and in the zones. May we prepare our hearts and our homes to receive Jesus who comes with gifts of peace, joy and love.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Christ-filled New Year 2009.

The Parish Team


15th December ( 6 - 7 pm ) Practices for Carol singing

16th and 18th December – Carol singing in Zone A ( 6 - 9:30 pm )
19th and 20th December – Carol singing in Zone B ( 6 - 9:30 pm )
20th and 22nd December – Carol singing in Zone C ( 6 - 9:30 pm )

23rd December, Tuesday – 6 pm: Advent Penitential Service and confessions
Crib – Zone A
Christmas Star – Youth

24th December, Wednesday
10 am – Cleaning the hall and arranging chairs
No evening mass at 7 pm

Carol singing – 10:30 pm
Eucharistic celebration – 11 pm (Mass animation, flowers, decoration – Zone B)

25th December, Thursday
8 am – Morning mass
No evening mass

31st December, Wednesday
No evening mass at 7 pm

Thanksgiving service – 10 pm (SHTC)
Eucharistic celebration – 11 pm (Mass animation, flowers, decoration – Zone C)
Bringing in the New Year - Youth

1st January, Tuesday
8 am – Morning mass
No evening mass

4th January, Sunday
4 pm – Christmas get-together for the Sunday school children

Other general announcements:
- Grain and food for the poor can be brought to the Christmas midnight mass
- Priests will be available for confessions on other days before the evening mass
- This year as a mark of our solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters in Orissa we will try to tone down our celebrations and send the proceeds to help them have a better New Year 2009.

CAROL SINGING

Well here are a couple of pictures of the group that went carol singing in the different zones of our parish. They went out on five nights - 16, 18, 19, 20 and 22 December. It was a humble attempt on the part of these young people to bring the message of Christmas to every house in the parish. It meant trudging along wet roads (we had strong drizzles on 20 December); getting in and out of a jeep or car; climbing up many flights of steps; enjoying the tasty sweets and other goodies offered; and, keeping every one in good cheer.

I hope that what they tried to do - bring Christmas joy and peace - will have a ripple effect. May we have ever-widening concentric circles of love, joy and peace in our homes, neighbourhoods and city. Christmas Peace and Joy be with you all!!!

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2008

• Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The Season of Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Lord. Christmas is almost upon us. On the 26 December we keep the Feast of St. Stephen. Next Sunday 28 December is the Feast of the Holy Family.
• Carol singing in our parish will conclude on December 22 Monday (in Zone C). Other details of the Christmas programs are on the notice-board.
• On Tuesday 23 December we will have a special Advent Penitential Service with the priests available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There is no better way to prepare for Christmas than to set right our relationships with God and others through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The reconciliation service will begin at 6 pm and end with the Eucharist celebrated at 7:30 pm.
• There will be no evening mass on Wednesday (24th December). The solemn Christmas mass will be celebrated at 11 pm. At 10:30 pm there will be the singing of carols to prepare for the Eucharistic celebration. Other details regarding the mass schedules till New Year’s Day are available on the notice-board. Please collaborate with your zonal leaders to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to your zone.
• During the masses of Christmas you are all welcome to make your contribution of food grain and other gifts for the poor and needy. This will be a tangible sign of our desire to share the Christmas spirit with those less fortunate.
• In the recent parish council meeting there was a suggestion that in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters who are facing many hardships in Orissa after the recent spate of persecution, we simplify our Christmas celebrations and send some contribution to help them have a happier New Year 2008. Those of you who wish to contribute to this venture are requested to put the money into a separate envelope and to hand it in either in the collection at the Christmas masses or to your area leaders or to the parish office. We are in touch with the “Bishop's Kandhamal Relief Fund” and will send the total amount to them by the first week of December. Mr. Henry Menezes will be coordinating the collection and sending of the funds.

JUBILEE NEWS

To all parishioners here are a couple of links to news bits that have come up on the jubilee celebrations for Fr. Diego Nunes - principal of Don Bosco School Nashik and assistant Parish Priest.

BIS reported the event with some pics.....

And then some things that came up on mattc's blog...first this came up and then there was a follow up of pictures on the felicitation and then the mass.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2008

• Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. The Season of Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Lord.
• 17 December will mark exactly 25 years to the day Fr. Diego Nunes was ordained a priest. It is a wonderful opportunity to thank God and to congratulate Fr. Diego. As a parish we will solemnize the evening eucharist at 6:30 pm and then felicitate Fr. Diego. All of you are invited to this celebration of fidelity and dedication.
• 17 December is the birthday of Fr. Solomon Rapol – Rector and Novice-Master in STI. We thank him in a special way for his pastoral services in our parish. We wish Fr. Solomon God’s choicest blessings for a long and fulfilling life of service in the Lord’s vineyard.
• Carol singing in our parish will begin on December 16th and 18th (in Zone A), 19th and 20th (in Zone B); and 20th and 22nd (in Zone C). There will be a practice for those who wish to go carol singing on Monday December 15th at 6 pm. Other details of the Christmas programs are on the notice-board.
• In the recent parish council meeting there was a suggestion that in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters who are facing many hardships in Orissa after the recent spate of persecution, we simplify our Christmas celebrations and send some contribution to help them have a happier New Year 2008. The modality of making this collection will be announced next Sunday. For now let us plan to set aside some contribution as families for this purpose.
• Admissions are beginning for the pre-primary in Don Bosco School. Parents who are interested please see the notice-board for details.
• The Mission Sunday envelope collection from the parish amounted to Rs. 8,680/. As mentioned earlier it has been sent along with other contributions to the Salesian Mission of Suket in Rajasthan. A letter from Fr. Paul Antao – thanking us for our generosity has been posted on the notice-board.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2008

• Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. The Season of Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Lord. The Church in India also invites us to celebrate Dalit Liberation Sunday as we pray for our Dalit brothers and sisters and work for a more just and equitable society in our nation.
• We are in the novena of the Immaculate Conception. The last 3 days before the feast are being solemnized in the parish at the evening mass. This Sunday 7 December we will have a Marian Academy after the evening mass. All of you are encouraged to attend the masses and the academy. The Feast Day mass will be at 7 pm on Monday 8 December. We greet in a special manner all the Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception sisters and novices; and, the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate sisters and novices in our parish on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. May our Blessed Mother continue to protect and guide them.
• All the youth of the parish are invited to a meeting on Sunday 7 December at 5:30 pm.
• Next Saturday 13 December at 5:30 pm there will be an important meeting of parents whose children are due to receive their First Holy Communion this year. Please make it a point to attend.
• Admissions are beginning for the pre-primary in Don Bosco School. Parents who are interested please see the notice-board for details.
• St. Patrick’s Parish Devlali is organizing a food festival on 5, 6 and 7 of December at their church premises all of you are encouraged to attend. Please see the banner for further details.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 2008

• Today is the First Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year. The Season of Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Lord.
• Special thanks to all those who organized and participated in Christ the King procession last Sunday making it a prayerful and significant moment in which we manifested our faith in Jesus and his universal kingdom.
• There will be a Konkani mass on Wednesday 3 December - the Feast of St. Francis Xavier - at Holy Cross Church. For details please see the notice-board.
• December 5 is the First Friday of the month. There will be a mass at 7:30 am for the students of Don Bosco School. Parishioners who wish to join the mass are most welcome. In the evening at 6:30 pm we will have Eucharistic adoration and it will be followed by mass at 7 pm.
• The next parish council meeting will be held on Saturday 6 December at 5:30 pm. All parish council members are reminded to attend this important meeting to plan our parish Christmas programs.
• We are in the novena of the Immaculate Conception. The last 3 days before the feast (5,6,7 December) will be solemnized in the parish at the evening mass. Next Sunday 7th December we will have a Marian Academy after the evening mass. All of you are encouraged to attend the masses and the academy.
• The scripture classes on St. Paul will take a winter break. Regular scripture classes will resume in January 2009.
• Admissions are beginning for the pre-primary in Don Bosco High School. Parents who are interested please see the notice-board for details.
• All youth of the parish are invited for a meeting on 7 December at 5:30 pm.
• St. Patrick's Parish Devlali is organizing a food festival on 5, 6 and 7 December at their parish premises. All are invited to attend. Please see the banner for further details.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2008

• Today we keep the Solemnity of Christ the King. We will have a Eucharistic procession soon after the Sunday evening mass which will end in the Maria Vihar Hall. All of you are invited to join this public manifestation of our faith in Jesus and his universal kingdom of justice, peace and love. Candles will be provided.
• There will be regular scripture class on St. Paul on Monday 23rd November at 7:30 pm. It will last half an hour.
• Regular catechism classes have resumed. Parents please ensure your children’s participation.
• Area leaders will be collecting a contribution of Rs. 50/- from each family towards the Cemetery Fund. Your cooperation is enlisted for a speedy collection of this fund.
• This Sunday 23rd November there will be an Inter-Oratory cricket tournament on the Divyadaan and STI grounds. Your presence will encourage the participants and organizers of this program.
• On Saturday 29th November – Don Bosco School is conducting the Mini-Olympics – an inter-school sports meet. The inauguration will be at Horizon Academy at 10:30 am and a torch rally will follow. The main events will begin on the school grounds at 1:30 pm. Those interested may collect their complimentary passes from the parish office.
• Please note that next Saturday 29th November - the evening mass at 7 pm will be celebrated at the STI chapel.
• On 7th December we will have a Marian Academy after the evening mass. Those who wish to honor our Lady in song or dance or rhyme are requested to contact Fr. Valerian Pereira as soon as possible.
  

SOME PICTURES FROM THE PARISH

Here are two pictures of the decorative flex on the front walls of our church (the back walls of the hall)....they do create a prayerful ambience to an otherwise drab and dour hall aspect.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2008

• Today is the Thirty Third Sunday of the Year. The universal church celebrates the 42nd World Communications Day today with the theme: “The Media: At the Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service.Searching for the Truth in order to Share it with Others.” We pray that media may become both vehicles for spreading wholesome ideas, and also instruments at the service of greater justice and solidarity in our world.
• On 21st November we keep the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady.
• On November 22nd we remember St. Cecilia, Patron of all Musicians.
• Next Sunday we keep the Solemnity of Christ the King. We will have a Eucharistic procession soon after the evening mass which will end in the Maria Vihar Hall. All of you are invited to join this public manifestation of our faith in Jesus and his universal kingdom of justice, peace and love. Candles will be provided.
• We are happy to welcome today Fr. Michael Fernandes – the Provincial of the Salesian province of Mumbai – who is making his annual official visit to our parish. On Sunday 16th morning he will be present for the Eucharist at Dominic Savio Centre Satpur and meet the parish council. In the evening here at Don Bosco, he will meet the Sunday school children at 5 pm and then the Parish Council at 5:30 pm. He will then celebrate the Sunday evening Eucharist at 6:30 pm.
• On 20th November we keep the birthday of Fr. Valerian Pereira of Divyadaan. We thank him for his pastoral services to our parish and pray the Lord to bless him in his task as a formator.
• There will be regular scripture class on St. Paul on Monday 17th November at 7:30 pm. It will last half an hour.
• Regular catechism classes have resumed.
• Area leaders will be collecting a contribution of Rs. 50/- from each family towards the Cemetery Fund. Your cooperation is enlisted for a speedy collection of this fund.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 9TH NOVEMBER 2008

• Today is the Thirty Second Sunday of the Year. We keep the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
• On 14th November we keep Children’s Day. We pray for all children, especially for those in our families whom we love dearly and for those who face a difficult childhood due to unfortunate circumstances.
• We are looking forward to the annual official visit of Fr. Michael Fernandes – the Provincial of the Salesian province of Mumbai to our parish. He will be with us on the 16th and 17th November. On Sunday 16th evening he will meet the Sunday school children at 5 pm and then the Parish Council at 5:30 pm. He will then celebrate the Sunday evening eucharist at 6:30 pm.
• We resume our scripture class on St. Paul on Monday 10th November at 7:30 pm. It will last half an hour.
• Regular catechism class will resume from this Sunday - 9th November. As mentioned earlier next Sunday the children will have a special meeting with Fr. Provincial who will be in the parish for his annual official visit.
• Area leaders will be collecting a contribution of Rs. 50/- from each family towards the Cemetery Fund. Your cooperation is enlisted for a speedy collection of this fund.
• Practices for the Christmas choir will begin soon. The first meeting of those interested and those who have already given their names will be held this Sunday 9th November soon after the evening mass.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 2ND NOVEMBER 2008

• Today is All Soul’s Day – a day to pray for our departed friends and family. There will be a special mass in the cemetery at 4 pm followed by the blessing of the graves in addition to our regular Sunday masses.
• November 7th is the First Friday of the month. There will be NO morning mass this First Friday. In the evening at 6:30 pm we will have Eucharistic adoration and it will be followed by mass at 7 pm.
• The next parish council meeting will be held on Saturday 8th November at 5:30 pm. All parish council members are reminded to attend.
• There will be no scripture class this week.
• This Sunday – 2nd November – there will be no Catechism class. Regular catechism class will resume from next Sunday - 9th November.
• Area leaders will be collecting a contribution of Rs. 50/- from each family towards the Cemetery Fund. Each parish is requested to pay annually into this Fund for the upkeep and maintenance of the Nashik City Cemetery.
• From the beginning of November we will begin practices for the Christmas choir. All those interested in joining the choir and sharing their musical talents in the Church are requested to give their names to Fr. Matthew.

PICTURES OF OUR PARISH - A VISITOR OF NOTE...

I thought that some of you would enjoy seeing pictures of the parish. Here they come...

Here is our bishop - Archbishop Felix Machado - entering the Church on 30th March this year. It was just about 3 weeks after his episcopal ordination...

We were truly priveledged to have him bless us ...

DIWALI CELEBRATIONS IN OUR PARISH

Here is a report of the Diwali celebrations held in our parish.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 26TH OCTOBER 2008

• Today is the Thirtieth Sunday of the Year.
• On 28th October we keep the Feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude.
• On November 1st the Church keeps the Solemnity of All Saints which reminds each one of us of our call to holiness.
• November 2nd is All Souls Day – a day to pray for our departed friends and family. There will be a special mass in the cemetery at 4 pm followed by the blessing of the graves in addition to our regular Sunday masses.
• We are also united with our Hindu brethren who celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Light. We pray that Christ the true light of the world may bring enlightenment and wisdom to all peoples.
• There will be no scripture class this week.
• Next Sunday – 2nd November – there will be no Catechism class.
• Area leaders will be collecting a contribution of Rs. 50/- from each family towards the Cemetery Fund. Each parish is requested to pay annually into this Fund for the upkeep and maintenance of the Nashik City Cemetery.
• From the beginning of November we will begin practices for the Christmas choir. All those interested in joining the choir and sharing their musical talents in the Church are requested to give their names to Fr. Matthew.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 19TH OCTOBER 2008

• Today is the Mission Sunday - a day to remember and pray for those who work to announce the Gospel. The Church invites us to support them materially also, as they labour with love and dedication. This year we remember in a special way all the missionaries facing opposition and persecution in India and abroad. Our collection for the missions this year will be sent to the Salesian mission of Suket in Rajasthan, where there is great need of education facilities for the Christian population. Envelopes will be distributed after the mass to raise a collection for the missions.
• October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary. We are all exhorted to recite daily this beautiful prayer which unites us with Jesus and Mary.
• On Tuesday October 21st we celebrate the birthday of Fr. Vincent Vaz, professor at Divyadaan and an ever-available collaborator in our parish. We thank him and ask God to bless him with good health and fulfillment in his ministry.
• Our next scripture class on St. Paul will be on Monday 20th October at 7:30 pm (after the evening mass).
• Area leaders will be collecting a contribution of Rs. 50/- from each family towards the Cemetery Fund. Each parish is requested to pay annually into this Fund for the upkeep and maintenance of the Nashik City Cemetery.
• From the beginning of November we will begin practices for the Christmas choir. All those interested in joining the choir and sharing their musical talents in the Church are requested to give their names to Fr. Matthew.

DON BOSCO CHURCH, NASHIK - PARISH NOTICES - SUNDAY, 12TH OCTOBER 2008

Today is the Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year. On October 15th we keep the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila. October 18th is the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary which offers us a wonderful opportunity to recite the rosary daily in our homes uniting ourselves with Jesus and Mary.

Next Sunday is Mission Sunday. Our collection this year will be sent to the Salesian mission of Suket in Rajasthan, where there is great need of education facilities for the Christian population. Envelopes will be distributed after the mass to raise a collection for the missions.

On October 15th we celebrate the birthday of Fr. Ivo Coelho from Divyadaan. We gratefully remember all that he has done and continues to do for our parish by his generous availability to serve pastoral needs. We ask God to continue to bless him with good health and happiness in his study, teaching and writing.

Our next scripture class on St. Paul will be on Monday 13th October at 7:30 pm (after the evening mass).

Area leaders will be collecting a contribution of Rs. 50/- from each family towards the Cemetery Fund. Each parish is requested to pay annually into this Fund for the upkeep and maintenance of the Nashik City Cemetery.

Last Sunday’s collection in Don Bosco Church amounted to Rs. 3,609/-. Thank you for your generosity. The collection at Dominic Savio Mass Centre - Satpur was Rs. 396/-. Thank you for your generosity.

A RECENT EVENT IN THE PARISH

Recently our parishioners visited Nirmala Home for the Aged and spent an evening bringing joy and good cheer to the seniors. These two links describe the evening and provide some visuals.

http://mattc-thinks.blogspot.com/2008/10/unique-celebration-of-gandhi-jayanti-in.html

and

http://mattc-thinks.blogspot.com/2008/10/some-more-pics-from-nha-program-2nd.html

Enjoy!!!

WELCOME TO A NEW BLOG

This is a blog to keep parishioners of Don Bosco Parish informed of what is buzzing in the environs even though they may be miles away from home...

I will also try to post the parish notices and other important information...

And any contributions from you my dear parishioners is most welcome...This is our space - to share and learn, to meet and greet...

Fr. Matthew Coutinho sdb