CATECHISMS ALTER SERVANTS CHOIR

Salesians of Don Bosco : Sacred Heart Province of Bangalore, Don Bosco Church,

Lingarajapuram Extn, Bangalore - 560 084, Karnataka, India

Web Manager : Administrator. Fr. Johnson KP sdb

DON BOSCO CHURCH

LINGARAJAPURAM,

BANGALORE - 560084

"That you are young is enough to make me love you very much." Don Bosco

Welcome to Don Bosco Church

SALESIAN CO-OPERATORS VINCENT DE PAUL LEGION OF MARY

CHARISMATIC GROUP YOUTH News

CATECHISMS CLASSES AT DON BOSCO CHURCH, LINGARAJAPURAM, BANGLAORE - 560 056

ORIGIN:  The Salesian sprit is always followed in Don Bosco churches.  Children in Don Bosco Church are given prominence always.  To bring them up in Catholic faith the most important activity of the parish is conducting Catechism classes for them.  Ever since the Don Bosco Chapel started functioning there was a focused approach for conducting catechism classes.  Fr. Thomas and Fr. Pius showed immense interest in this regard.

Even before the Parish was recognized in 1996, we already were successful in conducting First Holy communion and confirmation for children.  Mr. Martin, Sr. Vineeta, Sr. Roshini, Mr. Caesar Amalaraj, Mr. Remigius and few other sisters who used to accompany Sr. Roshini from other convents were the pioneers who were contributing in teaching the children catechism.

After the recognition of our church as a new Parish and under the able leadership of our Parish Priest the Catechism Classes became more organized and lively.

MOTTO:  Don Bosco's vision for children and their well being led him to say "TECH THE CHILDREN THE BEAUTY OF VIRTUE AND THE UGLINESS OF SIN" is the motto of our Catechism class.  The Parish Priest always repeats these words while announcing in the church about catechism and also keeps reminding the catechism teachers and students about it.

ORGANISATION OF CATECHISM CLASSES:  Catechism classes are well organized. In the past years, the Parish Priest used to invite sisters from near by convents to come and help us in conducting the classes.  The parishners who helped in conducting the classes along with the sisters worked as well oiled machine to achieve the ends.  The classes were divided according to age group and classes they attended in schools.  Children receiving First Holy Communion and Confirmation were kept in separate classes for better focus.  Teacher's efforts were always well appreciated by the Parish Priest.  The only challenge faced during those years was sudden absence of sisters coming from convents.

But during the last one year, the catechism class organization has gone a notch higher.  Asst. Parish Priest Fr. Johnson sdb has taken special interest in organizing it in a professional way.  Rather than depending on external help for teaching, his efforts have brought in nearly 30 teachers from our parish.  This has greatly reduced the burden of depending on external help.  Application forms were distributed to children to collect all relevant information.  Classes were very well organised and teachers properly assigned.

The introduction of Children's Mass has helped in better functioning of Catechism classes.  Soon after the Children's Mass, the assembly for children is conducted inside the church.  There will be a song, general instructions and announcements and then children will be sent to their respective classes.  Soon after the class the children are again assembled inside the church and instructions are given to children once again and the classes come to a close with a prayer.

Now we have strong team of Parish Priest, Asst. Parish Priest, Head Master and a committed team of teachers to take this to a level higher.  The dream of Don Bosco to "teach the children on the beauty of virtues and ugliness of sin" will be fulfilled in near future.  The Lord who has guided and protected this Parish will make it happen for His greater glory.

ACTIVITIES:   Following activities take place as part of catechism classes.

"	Catechism classes every Sunday, excluding summer holidays
"	Every year First Holy Communion for Children
"	Confirmation given to children once in two years
"	Christmas celebration, a Sunday before Christmas every year.  Food packets and presents given to children.
"	Quiz on Bible (not conducted for few years)
"	Fellowship meal / presents for teachers during Christmas

DON BOSCO HAS SAID ...
The Association of the Salesian Co-operators 
is the soul of the Congregation."

HISTORY 
The Salesian Co-operators were the first helpers of Don Bosco since 1841. In fact, it is from their ranks that Don Bosco formed the first group of religious members. The Association was approved by Pope Pius IX on 9th May 1876.

Today the Salesian Co-operators are a bunch of the Salesian family and share in the charism and mission of the Salesian Family at the service of the young particularly the poor and marginalized youth in society.

ORGANISATION

Catholics above the age of 16 may be enrolled as Salesian Co-operators, provided they feel the call to Christian witness by their own lives and lead young people to the love of Jesus Christ following the teachings and example of Don Bosco.

A probationary period of formation (at least one year), helps the candidates to discern their call, by knowing the regulations, understanding the Salesian spirit and involving themselves in youth apostolate. The candidates are then invited to make "The Promise" which entitles them to be members of the Association of Salesian Co-operators.

SALESIAN COOPERATORS 1

Mr.Piers W. Michael
Mr.Velanganni
Mr.Prakash Leo
Mr.Ambrose Mendonea
Mr.Remigins Martin
MrsRajama  C. S.
Mr.Kiritappa P.
Mr.Prabhu
Mr.Antony  B. S.
Mr.Stanislas
Mr.D' Souza Z. F.
Mrs.Ann Joseph
Mr.Joe Joseph
Mr.Jogy Thomas
Mr.Dhanraj S. K.
Mr.John Bosco
Mr.George Dominic
Mrs. Assumpta Dominic
Mrs.Jayaseeli Fernandez
Mr.Stephen Xavier P A
Mrs.Stella Stephen 
Mrs.Rita A.
Mr.John Francis
Mrs.Saroja
Mr.Peter Celestine
Mr.R. Lawrence

SALESIAN COOPERATORS 2

Mrs. Margrette
Mr.Noel Naveen
Mr.John
Mr.Peter Antony
Mr.A. Jayanathan
Mr.T. A. Peter
Ms Mary Anitha
Mr. Lourdnathan
Mr.A. Dosai Raj
Mrs.Hema Rajan
Mr.Mr. Rajan
Mr.S. K. Dass
Mr.Jesudas
Mr.Leena Christina
Mr.Arokiasamy
Ms. J. Pereira
Ms.Mary Christina

Society of St.Vincent De Paul ., Don Bosco  Conference

With the Blessings of Our Spiritual Director and Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Devassia S.D.B the Society was started in 31st January 1999. Each Individual Unit is called a conference.This conference has at present 8 active members and few auxiliary members including four office bearers. The society has adopted fifteen very poor families irrespective of religion including some destitutes and supply free ration of rice and dhall to them every week. Also on important feast days like Christmas , Easter, and on the birth anniversary of our founder blessed Frederick Ozanam  we give the above families some special gifts and cash .

Educational assistance is given to deserving and poor school going children.  The society takes care to help the sick patients of chronic cases by providing the prescribed medicines. Emergency medical aid is given to the needy to a certain extent.  On second Sunday of every month, we collect in dumb boxes, outside the church from the noble and generous devotees and use such collection  for the needs of Society.

Recalling the words of Our Lord Jesus, WHATSOEVER YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF MY BROTHER / SISTER YOU DO UNTO ME,  we humbly request all to generously contribute for this noble cause and help the society to grow. The society prays for all its benefactors and the parish and gratefully acknowledge and thank them for their support and encouragement through their generous contributions.
 
With its limited resources such as members  and funds the performance of the society is well appreciated for its Unity, and good coordination with other pious organizations of the church.

Name                                           post                         Birthday on

Br. J.P.Raju                                    President                   7th  January 
Br. Peter Celestine                         Vice President           13th   July 
Br. S.K.Dhanraj                              Secretary                  11th May 
Br.B.S.Antony                                Treasurer                   2nd November
Br. P. Anthony                                Member                    12th    November
Br. A. DuraiRaj                               Member                    1st October
Br.Antony Reuben Lazarus             Member                    9th May 
Br. John Bosco                                Member

CHARISMATIC GROUP, DON BOSCO PARISH,  LINGARAJAPURAM, BANGALORE - 560084

ORIGIN:  About 15 years back Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group was started in Mr. Martin's house in Lingarajapuram.  Fr. Manickam inaugurated the meeting and named the group as "Vinnaga Vayil" (Gate of Heaven) Prayer Group.  About 30 to 35 Catholics from surrounding houses gathered on the terrace of Mr. Martin's house to sing and praise the Lord and hear the messages from the word of God by eminent speakers.  Participants participated with enthusiasm and zeal and took keen interest in Bible reading and fellowship.

This Prayer Group forms the integral part of the Bangalore Charismatic Renewal Group which functions under blessings of the Archbishop of Bangalore.  Father Jacob Britto is our Spiritual Director.

CHANGE OVER TO DON BOSCO CHAPEL:   After the construction of Don Bosco Chapel, the prayer group meetings continued in the Church with the permission of Fr. Thomas Vailatt.  It was only after Fr. Devasia the present Parish Priest took over, that the prayer group had a deep root in the Parish as the Parish Priest took special interest in the prayer meetings, gave full support by his presence at the meetings.

As the parish community grew, so also the prayer group.  Many retreats, one day recollections/conventions were organized to build the parish community.  Many eminent speakers and priests from St. Peter's Seminary were invited for these programs; they shared the Word of God with the power of the Spirit and contributed to the growth of the spiritual needs of the parishners.

ACTIVITIES:  Apart from conducting Prayer Meetings on every Tuesday in the Church, the group also started conducting prayer meetings in the houses of various localities like Ramaswamy Palaya, Kammanahalli, Shammana Layout ..etc.  The Parish priests desire to form the Basic Christian Communities is being fulfilled and the people of the locality warmly welcome this plan.

The prayer group members are also involved in conducting the Choir, Liturgy, Catechism class to children, and all other activities of the Parish.

The end results which is visibly seen are, prayer groups members who attend the meetings are openly able to pray in public places, conduct prayer meetings at homes, daily personal Bible reading and able to praise God fearlessly.  The continued guidance and support of Parish Priest has made this possible.

Mr. B.S. Anthony is the current leader of this group.

DON BOSCO YOUTH GROUP, DON BOSCO PARISH, LINGARAJAPURAM, BANGALORE - 560 084

ORIGIN:   It is well know for Salesian's, the youth are very important members of the community and a lot of emphasis and focus is laid on them.  With this spirit, as our church evolved so did the youth of our Parish.  The Don Bosco Youth Association (DBYA) was thus formed in the Year 1996 and it forms an integral part of our Parish.  
The first President of the Don Bosco Youth Association was Mr. Arun.  His successors to the post of President were Shaji, Jogy Thomas and Bennet Martin.  Generally the Youth group consists of about 15 to 20 members.  They are always guided by one of the brothers from Don Bosco Congregation.

MEMBERSHIP:   There is no restriction to qualification or social status to be a member of the Youth Group.  The group consists of youngsters between the age group of 16 to 25.  The group meets once a week on either Saturday or Sunday according to the convenience of all members.  Youngsters are always welcome to join the youth at any time of the year, although there is a formal inauguration of the youth group annually.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:   The youth are also the English Choir Group of our Parish.  They are present for both the English Masses on Sundays and all other important feast days and contribute immensely to the liveliness of Mass with their beautiful singing.  Their singing is well appreciated by celebrants who come to celebrate mass in our parish as well as the congregation.  They are called to sing in other churches for marriage celebrations.
The group has also participated in many Diocesan Level Inter Parish Singing Competition and has emerged victorious every time.  This tremendous success can be attributed to the hard work put in by Jogy Thomas, the English Choir Master and support of the clergy.

The other activities of Youth Group include organizing a retreat for youngsters of our Parish annually.  They also orgnise a Carol singing competition during Christmas season every year.  They also go about singing carols to most of the Catholic homes in our parish every year.

All these are possible because of the support / guidance received from the Parish Priest.