The Youth Fest was hosted by the Sacred Heart College community headed by Rev. Fr. Antonyraj Chinnappan SDB, the Rector of the community. The event was enriched by the presence of many other Rectors and Salesians of various institutions in Vellore and Tirupattur regions along with Salesian Family members and well-wishers. The celebration also included the participation of the Aspirants, Pre-Novices, Novices and young people from our institutions.
The Youth Fest began at 6.30 p.m. with invocation of Divine Grace through a hymn sung by the College Choir which was followed by a welcome dance by the students of Don Bosco School of Excellence. Fr. Antonyraj Chinnappan SDB gave the official welcome to the distinguished Guest and he made a special note of V. Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime’s simplicity and humility while accepting to lead the Congregation as Rector Major. The Rector Major was felicitated by the Principal of the College, Fr. Maria Antonyraj SDB. Fr. Horacio Lopez SDB, the Rector Major’s Secretary, was felicitated by Fr. John Alex SDB, the Rector of Don Bosco at Yellagiri. Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga SDB, the Regional, was felicitated by Fr. David Job SDB the Parish Priest of Mary Help of Christians Church, Tirupattur. The Provincial of Chennai Province Rev. Fr. Jose Kochamkunnel SDB gave a glimpse of Don Bosco’s Mission in INM: in Chennai Region we are serving in various capacities: 12 Higher Education Institutions, 46 Schools, 21 Parishes, 6 ITIs, 12 presences in the Social Ministry, 5 Animation Centres, 2 Formation Houses and 3 Aspirantates.
The Rector Major was then invited to release the following three books:
The book under the title ‘Drinking Deep as the Divine Springs’ authored by Rev. Fr. A. M. Matthew Adukanil SDB consists of poems and meaningful experiences of the Author. The book on ‘Online Administration’ was authored by the Economer of the Chennai Province Rev. Fr. Xavier Packia SDB who is also the Finance Director these last six years. The book deals with rules and regulation of the Income Tax Department of India. It would help institutions to be transparent and upright in all financial transactions.
Sacred Heart Times consists about the programs of the College. It is an E-newsletter and was organized by Fr. Maria Antonyraj SDB the Principal of the College.
All the books were released by the Rector Major and received by other dignitaries. A short film on Micheal Magone was released under the Tamil title ‘Micky’ produced by Don Bosco Production Bangalore and scripted by Fr. Ernest Rosario SDB and by Mr. Idayakumar. The translation in Tamil was done by DBICA (INM). The Short Film was introduced by DBICA’s Asst. Director Fr. Maria Sagayaraj SDB and it was released by the Rector Major. The Film’s trailer was screened for all those present at the Youth Fest. The Rector Major was inspired by the energetic performance of the youth and he himself came toward to sing two Spanish songs along with his Secretary Fr. Horacio Lopez.
He then shared a short message with the gathering that Don Bosco is where we find the poor and only the person with Don Bosco’s spirit could serve them. He said everyone who comes to a Don Bosco institution and benefits out of it has the responsibility of becoming in turn, the bearers of the Spirit of Don Bosco and in spreading it to others. The day came to a close with the Vote of Thanks by Fr. Praveen Peter SDB and concluded with the hymn to Don Bosco.
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