(ANS – Mumbai) – The Don Bosco Communications South Asia (DBCSA) General Assembly is being hosted by the Mumbai Province at Don Bosco Provincial House Matunga from 15-18 October, 2013.  Fifty SDB delegates representing eleven Salesian provinces and four FMA delegates have gathered to discuss the theme “SOCIAL MEDIA AND SALESIAN YOUTH MINISTRY”.

The special dignitaries include Fr. Filiberto Gonzalez SDB, Councillor General for Social Communications;  Br. Ephrem Santos SDB, his Secretary; Fr. Thomas Ellicherail SDB, SPCSA, Provincial Delegate for Social Communications and Fr. Godfrey D’Souza SDB, Provincial of the Mumbai Province.

The inaugural Mass was presided over by His Lordship Dominic Savio Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai. At the Inaugural Ceremony, Fr. Antony Earathra, SPCSA Communications Delegate, welcomed the delegates and situated this event as one happening at a historical moment as we prepare for the bicentenary of Don Bosco’s birth and the General Chapter (GC27).  Fr. Gonzalez communicated the warm greetings and prayers from the Rector Major.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Conrad Saldanha, Principal Advisor to Don Bosco Centre for Learning, Kurla, Mumbai. He highlighted the cultural shifts undergone by the media of Social Communications, and the key trends in Social Media with the positive and negative impacts on the young. He challenged all to use Social Media to Promote the Gospel and, as Pope Francis says, “give the Church a digital presence”.

Other presentations took place later: “Social Media: Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Publishing”, by Mr. Yogesh Sahu; “Viral Marketing and Advertising: Strategies for Social Networks for Youth”, by Mr. Nishad Ramachandran; “Media and Education” by Sr. Phyllis Fernandes, FMA;  “New Initiatives in Social Communication by the Church in India” by Fr. George Plathottam and finally “Social Media Secrets in Catholic Youth Ministry - 21st Century Catholicism” by Ralin DeSouza, SDB, Director BOSKON Communications, Goa.

The assembly witnessed the launch of two books: “Press and Social Responsibility in the North East” by Fr. George Plathottam, SDB, and “Petals and Pebbles in Human Parables” by Fr. Elias Dias, SDB.

Published 17/10/2013