FMA - NDF 13th Annual Meet 2016

FMA NDF 13th Annual Meet was held from 27th to 30th November 2016 at Shillong of the 6 Provinces of Salesian sisters.

The first day commenced with prayer conducted by the Bangalore Province followed by Holy Mass. At 9. 00 am the inaugural ceremony began. Sr. Isabella Alphonse the NDF Coordinator welcomed the chief guest A L Hek, Local MLA., Sr. Isabella Suja the Provincial of Shillong, Mr. Jochim Lourduswamy from VIA Don Bosco, Belgium, Rev. Fr. Joe Xavier SJ the Consultant cum Resource person and all the participants on the occasion of the 13th Annual meeting of the FMA National Development Forum highlighting the agenda of the meeting – Preparation of the Five Year Plan at the National Level. Sr. Isabella Suja the Provincial spoke on the fast changing world dominated by the digital revolution and how people are linked through digital network. She also stressed on “The passion of vision and the power of goals”.

The chief Guest spoke of reaching out to the poor and informed the group about the various schemes the government of Meghalaya has for the welfare of the people. He also mentioned of the great sacrifice the missionary priests and Sisters have made leaving their home and families to serve the poor.

On this occasion the 12thAnnual Report and the Bi-monthly Newsletter were released.

As per the theme under the guidance of Fr. Joe Xavier each province reformulated the Five Years Plan and after making necessary corrections presented the same to the assembly.

Mr. Jochim Lourduswamy appreciated and commented on the amazing impact created among the FMA India. He was pleased with the step by step growth made by the FMA India and concluded with Ratan Tata’s words “If you want to reach fast you go alone, if you want to reach far you go as a team”. He also quoted a Chinese proverb “If others are doing, I can also do, if others are not doing I can still do”. This is the attitude he observed in FMA India as a whole, he said. At the end participants were given chance to clarify doubts especially on the ethical part of applying the project.

All the 6 SDC’s presented their annual report creatively and colourfully with clarity of data.

At the valedictory function Sr. Isabella Suja the Provincial released 4 books prepared by the SDC of Chennai, Bangalore, Shillong and Mumbai on government schemes. The program concluded with a message of provincial stating that we journey with God, so let us courageously forge ahead with Mary. The programme was ended with visiting of Provincial house and the Cathedral of Shillong.