Mission ad / inter Gentes

MISSION AD/INTER GENTES 

PROVINCE OF OUR LADY OF SNOW – INT 

REPORT – 2023 -2024 

“Once we experience the power of God’s love, and recognize His fatherly presence in our personal and  community life, we cannot help but proclaim and share what we have seen and heard” – Pope Francis 
After being convinced of the aforementioned points, I am pleased to present the report for the  year 2023-2024. The Mission Ad/Inter gentes sector plan and project for 2022-2024 of the PCI were  tailored to meet the needs and demands of our province. This report encompasses the province’s  apostolic action plan, the activities conducted, integral ecology, and indicators of growth (statistics)  within the province.  The goals, vision, objectives, and specific goals of the PCI sector for Mission Ad/Inter Gentes are  adopted for the province sector.” 

THE GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF MISSION AD/INTER GENTES is to proclaim Jesus through evangelization, education and vocational, synodal, prophetic communities that generate new life of hope and joy for all the marginalized people with the missionary zeal of the pioneers. 

Sr. Robert Santhiya Punitha is the Coordinator for Mission ad/Inter gentes in the Province of Our 

Lady of Snow, Tiruchirappalli – INT. 

1. PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD OF GOD 

“Education through Evangelization; Evangelization through Education” is carried out in our communities through, 

 Parish Ministry 

• Family Visits 

• Sacrament Preparation 

• Marriage Rectification 

• Adult Catechism 

• Preparation for Reconciliation 

• Basic Christian Communities(BCC) 

• Youth Catholic Movement (YCS) 

• Parish Catechesis 

 Evangelization in Schools 

• School Catechism – Staff & Students 

• Retreats – Staff & Students 

• Groups and Movements 

• Good mornings 

• Celebration of Christian Feasts 

• Commemoration of MM, DB, Bl. Laura Vicuna MHC 

• Celebration of National & Cultural Feasts• Month of October- Missionary & Rosary month 

• Bible Week 

 Social Activities 

• Boarding /hostels and shelter homes for Children, Youth & Women 

• Prayer Moments, Good Mornings & Good Nights 

• Non-Formal Education, 

• Children Clubs & Parliaments 

• Youth Groups 

• Women Self Help Groups 

• Anti Sumangali Scheme Activities 

• Child Protection Committees in Villages 

• Awareness and Right Oriented Programmes 

2. ANIMATION AND FORMATION 

♣ Half of the communities in the province are regular for family visits and sharing the Word of God in BCC. 

♣ All the sisters are teaching catechesis in the formal and non-formal sectors. 

♣ In most communities in the month of September, “Bible Week” is celebrated 

♣ In the formation house of the Novitiate, sharing the lives of the missionaries and reading their  biographies are done throughout
year, and praying for the missionary vocations is done every  Tuesday. 

♣ Following the guidelines of PCI, we ensured the presence of a Missionary group for catholic  children in all the formal and non- formal schools. 

♣  A day of animation for the catechism teachers and students was conducted by the Catechetical sector in our schools for the year
2023-2024. In that the document on Christus Vivit was the guideline for the animation. This enabled the participants to be
competent, innovative, and adaptive to the times in teaching of Catechism. 

♣ PCI – National – Mission Ad/ Inter Gentes Coordinators Meet held on 01st June, 2023. Mission Coordinators of 7 provinces
participated and shared their activities and challenges of the province  followed by discussed the future plan for the mission
sectors. 

♣ The province coordinator for Ad/Inter gentes participated in two international meetings animated  by the ‘Global Mission Team’ on
9 th September 2023 and 10th February 2024. 

♣ A seminar on Synodal Accompaniment of Basic Christian Community (BCC) was organized for the local coordinators of ‘Mission
Ad/inter gentes’. It was conducted on 22nd July 2023 at Keela Eral, Tuticorin. Our province sisters were the resource persons for the
animation. The topic on Synodal Catechesis dealt by Sr. Arockiam Gracy Rani, Synodal Accompaniment of BCC by Sr. Robert
Santhiya Punitha, Practical Guidelines for BCC by Sr. Sophia Rayan. Laity collaboration was appreciated. 

♣ World Youth Day theme on “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk 1:39) was insisted in the Parish ministry to enlighten youth by the
message of Pope Francis which enable the youth to aware of the invitation of our Holy Church. Thus, we shall fulfil the testimony of
our founder, St. John Bosco: “When you are with the Pope, we are with Christ. 

♣ A seminar on the theme “Evangelizing Mission at the Heart of the Salesian Charism” was organized for the Salesian family of the outh Asia Region. The purpose of this seminar was to reflect on and study the current evangelizing efforts in the contemporary social context in the light of theology, scripture, and the missionary charism of Don Bosco and the founders of the congregations, with a focus on planning for the future. The seminar took place from October 3, 2023, to October 6, 2023, at the Don Bosco Institute (DBI) in uwahati, Assam. The event was attended by members of the Salesian Family and was organized by Fr. Joseph Palamthattel (Sunny) SDB, the Regional Coordinator for Missionary Animation, South Asia. Approximately 140 Salesians, FMAs, and members of the Salesian family participated in the event. Following the seminar, PCI mission ad/Inter gentes coordinators had a half-day meeting to discuss the best practices of each province. The introductory talk was given by Sr. Ivy D’Souza. She insisted on the following points: 

  ♥ We must communicate our Mission to the Formees who will carry it out in the world. 

  ♥ Move out of our comfort zones. 

 ♥  Education means giving Christ to the people; therefore, be courageous in speaking about Jesus. 

Following the discussion, it was decided that a webinar on Initial Proclamation for the Formees, led by Sr. Teresa Joseph FMA (INB), would be held in November 2023: 

• November 21, 2023: Aspirants and Postulants from 06:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m. 

• November 22, 2023: Novices from 06:00 p.m. to 07:30 p.m. 

• Additionally: A Missionary Call seminar will be animated in their respective Provinces for the Junior Sisters. 

• Prayer for India – good Governance will be prayed in the communities and, if possible, in the Parishes. 

• During the Juniors’ conferences, the theme of Mission and evangelization will be highlighted. 

 ♣The Month of Mission (October) was animated on the missionary theme “Hearts on fire, feet on the move.” Animation materials based on the reflections of Pope Francis and good practices were sent to the communities and we sent an appreciation letter, WhatsApp messages to the missionaries those who are working in the mission land. 

 ♣The ecclesial documents and messages of Pope Francis are regularly circulated among the communities to grow in love for the Church. 

3. INTEGRAL ECOLOGY 

○Planting saplings are a common practice during celebrations and special occasions. Offering  saplings as gifts to invitees, especially during birthday celebrations for children and youth, has become a tradition. Additionally, educating community members are encouraged to contribute by offering plants to the institute. 

o The slogan “Laudato Si” resonated throughout our province, creating widespread awareness. Initiatives were undertaken to educate school children, parents, young people, Educating community members, Salesian family, and Sisters.

o The focus is on promoting awareness about protecting and caring for our common earth in our daily lives. Emphasizing the importance of loving nature and utilizing its benefits for the greater good is a key aspect of these efforts. 

o Competitions have been organized to engage individuals in activities related to caring for our common home within our institutions and educational environments. 

4. SIGNS OF GROWTH (STATISTICS) 

MISSION AD/INTER GENTES	2022-2023	2023-2024
CHILDREN FIRST HOLY COMMUNION	0707	1010
CHILDREN – CONFIRMATION	0232	502
ADULT – BAPTISM	0015	22
ADULT – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION	0012	15
ADULT – CONFIRMATION	–	–
MARRIAGE PREPARATION	0064	105
VILLAGES VISITED	0145	152
FAMILIES VISITED	1492	2654
ANBIYAM	0511	614

5. FUTURE PLANS FOR 2024 

❖ Seminars/Webinars could be conducted for young Sisters on the ‘Missionary call’ in their respective provinces to motivate them for missions. 

❖ Encouraging sisters to promote religious vocation by regularly visiting families with an open mind and adequate preparation. 

❖ Celebrating and recognizing the presence, sacrifices, and fidelity of our Missionary sisters in our  Provinces.