Province Days
The Province Sammelan (April 28-30) was the culmination of a process that began last February with community sharing followed by 7 zonal-wise meetings. The spirit of the Sammelan is indicated by its theme: Rooted in the Past, United in the Present and Marching towards New Frontiers.
At the zonal gatherings, individual Jesuits as well as communities displayed things they had published, rare photos which spoke of their histories, personal histories, artifacts, books, brochures, stamp collections, paintings, valuable PowerPoint presentations, cartoons, stories, and so on. The theme of these ‘exhibitions’ was: “Missioned by Jesus – Our work – Our People”.
The Eucharist on the first day of the Sammelan was presided over by Bishop Francis Braganza and Archbishop Stanny Fernandes. On the second day, Bishop Thomas Macwan and A B Stanny graced the occasion by their participation in the Eucharist and the Jubiliarians-2010 of the Province were felicitated. ¨Gamit Bhashanu Vyakran¨ by Fr Raymund Chauhan was released in the afternoon. Presiding over the Eucharist on the concluding day, the provincial Fr Jose Changa thanked the Lord for His graces showered on the Jesuits of Gujarat. He expressed his appreciation of those who lent helping hands to make the Sammelan a very successful one. Loyola Hall played the perfect host to provide comfort and leisure, so that the renewed emphasis of GC35 “Jesuit identity and Jesuit mission are linked by community” became a reality. Congratulations to the PCCS members under the leadership of Fr Raj! The team members’ ingenuity in using modern technology has animated our provincemen to pray for one another by the daily reminders through SMS and through the website. Evidently that prayerful- loving- reverence ‘accatamiento’ for each other was very much felt during the Province days. Hope we continue to cultivate and foster this grace which St Ignatius considered as the most supreme grace he ever received in life!
