PHONE
0364-2534588
The 37th Annual Meet of the Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) of the Shillong-Silchar Province was held at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Pynthorumkhrah and hosted by Bellefonte centre on the 13th and 14th of September 2014 with the theme “ Salesian Cooperators accompanying Family and Youth”.
It was an enriching moment to witness the enthusiastic Cooperators who participated in the annual event. The good representation of the SDB and FMAs was inspiring and appreciative. The inaugural function commenced at 01:00 pm at Rympei Ki Paidbah wherein the flag of the association was hoisted by Fr. Francis Kharpan, the Director of the centre. Sr. Christina Kharkongor FMA, the Provincial Delegate of the Salesian Cooperators welcomed the participants to the memorable celebration. She reminded the role and duty of the Salesian Cooperator from the Project of Apostolic Life (PAL), the handbook of the association. The day continued with the beautiful and inspiring talk shared by Fr. Zepherinus Baxla SDB who also briefed to the assembly the challenging yet fruitful mission of Loordippa of which he is the Founder Director.
The reports of the different centers were presented by the secretaries. Each report presented witnessed the definite growth of the Salesian charism especially as expressed in the Salesian Cooperator’s Vocation and Mission. It took forward the dynamism of each participant to live the demands of their vocation in each of their centers.
The evening programme was another enlivened moment for the participants who gathered for the cultural programme. The musical presentation of the Trinity Choir of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Pynthorumkhrah took the centre stage and which captured the attention of everyone. The day ended with a goodnight thought and everyone retired after a beautiful and hectic programme of the day.
The participants welcomed the blessings of the second day in unison with the Church on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with the well animated Morning Prayer. The climax of the Annual event was the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in which two Aspirants; one from Sohra centre and the other from Bellefonte centre took their promise as full-fledged Salesian Cooperators. The Liturgy was made rich by the creative animation of the Salesian cooperators and the melodious singing of the Trinity Voices. After the Mass lunch was served at Rympei ki Paidbah and followed by the afternoon session.
The afternoon time saw the inauguration of the Bi-centenary of the birth of Don Bosco at provincial level. The bust of Don Bosco was decked with cultural attire of the turban, head gear, risha (a Tripuri small shawl), Paila (a khasi ornament) and rigitok (a Garo ornament) and the year of celebration was declared opened by Fr. Festus Shadap SDB, Delegate of the Cooperators from Silchar Province. On this day the picture of the logo of the bicentenary celebration was blessed and distributed to all the Salesian Cooperators. This was followed by the closing ceremony in which Sr. Christina Kharkongor, FMA Delegate for Salesian Cooperators lowered the Association’s flag and was presented by the coordinator of the host centre, Mr. Tarcisius Kharmuti to Mr. Marius Kharkongor the coordinator of Nongthymmai centre in which the next annual meet would be held in 2015. After tea break all dispersed to their respective homes carrying the spirit of Don Bosco.