(ANS – Shillong) – Fr. Guillermo Basañes, the Salesian General Councillor for Missions, was on a visit to the province of Silchar from 2-6 August 2014. On 3 August he released a new missionary animation bulletin, “ANIMA”,  a new initiative of the missionary animation team in South Asia, and the first one of its kind in the Salesian South Asian region.

Archbishop Dominic Jala, Archbishop (Emeritus) Thomas Menamaparampil, Salesian Provincials of New Delhi, Dimapur and Silchar and a large number of Salesians and young people accorded a warm welcome to Fr Basañes at Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong. Among the the participants there were also the Salesians who took part in the 2nd Inter Regional Salesian Missionary Animation program.

During the release of ANIMA, Fr TC George, the Regional Delegate for missionary animation, pointed out that “the purpose of the bulletin is missionary animation, networking, communication and empowerment in the region of South Asia. It aims at promoting missionary thinking and missionary commitment in the region for the Salesians.”

Fr. TC George who is also the editor of the bulletin explains in his editorial that the name ANIMA is an acronym for “Action Network In Missionary Animation”, while it could also be a shorter form of “Animation” which means “giving spirit”, “empowering” and “educating”.

The features in the first issue of the bulletin include messages from Fr Basañes and Fr Maria Arokiam Regional, South Asia Councillor, and other features as missionary reflection, missionary experiences, prayer mission, Rector Major’s appeal for the missionary expedition, news, etc.

The first issue is dedicated to St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ and the first missionary to the region. Each issue will be dedicated to a missionary saint, announced the Editor.

On 4 August Fr Basañes conferred Ministries of Lector and Acolyte during a mass in the recently renovated Shrine of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Shillong. 18 candidates became Lectors and 24  became Acolytes.

In the homily Fr Basañes exhorted the candidates to “read the signs of the times” and to be “simply available” to people, especially to young people in their every need. Stating that the need of the hour is not “technical liturgist” nor “mechanical priest” but “Salesians with heart similar to that of Jesus the Good Shepherd”, he challenged the candidates to priesthood.

Published 08/08/2014