KALYANI, (C.M. Paul) – Some 70 unmarried young people of Kalyani parish attended a day long retreat at Don Bosco Parish Kalayani as immediate preparation for Christmas, 22 December 2012. It was a follow up of retreats held for fathers and mothers in the parish and three sub-stations earlier in the month.
The sessions were animated by a group of lay people belonging to the Divine Light Ministry team from Behala parish, Kolkata.
Beginning the day with prayer and praise, the team leader Brother John Jacques explained to the participants the concepts of God’s love, sin and forgiveness. He was ably assisted in breaking the Word by his wife Sister Dolly Jacques and team members Ranjeet Tirkey and Oliver Toppo.
After lunch the participants prepared for the sacrament of reconciliation for which three priests were available. Also present were the Jacques couple and four religious Sisters for counseling.
The highlight of the day was the healing session which Brother John conducted after the exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. During the service the Jacques couple prayed over each of the participants. More than half the youngsters present claimed spiritual healing and having received special favours.
After the day-long retreat, young people from Kalyani stayed back for Christmas get together while youth who came from distant sub-stations of Nagakurah, Narayanpur and Madanpur took leave. The parish youth coordinator Sr Rosalia Tirkey FMA, and director of Don Bosco Youth Services Kalyani Fr Raymond Tudu SDB facilitated the gathering along with parish youth executives.
Don Bosco Parish KALYANI 