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Events held in 2007

First PEA Quarterly Meeting in 2007,
with One Hour of Adoration & Fellowship held on 3rd January 2007.

The first meeting of the year 2007 was planned in a novel manner: The meeting was chaired by Rev. Fr. Erasto and after being refreshed with snacks and coffee we began with the reading and approval of the Minutes. On the whole the attendance was less than expected and several were late because of traffic disruption on the occasion of the Sikh festival and processions. New members were welcomed and made to feel at home. A sharing of the achievements of the past three months followed, but not many new ventures were reported. We next looked to the coming three months and all were encouraged to be proactive and take the lead in approaching the Parish Priest and other associations to make a concerted effort to increase the attendance at the Chapels for prayer. The season of Lent would be an opportune time to launch an intense drive in this regard.

We then moved to an Hour of prayer before the Sacrament which was prepared by the Deanery representatives. Usually this prayer used to take place on a separate day but since it was difficult to find a suitable date, we combined it with this special meeting.

This prayer service was well prepared with Scripture readings and significant pauses for reflection and prayer. At the end it was commented that this Holy Hour could be taken as a good model for a fruitful way of spending time before the Sacrament in our Prayer Chapels. Coordinators could use this format to teach people how to pray before the Sacrament.

A Get-together followed, with some party games and dinner. Unfortunately we ran short of time, nevertheless there were plenty of opportunities for mixing around and getting to know one another. Bishop Bosco who had prior engagements in the suburbs that evening joined us at this stage. He availed himself of this opportunity to once again thank each of the coordinators and to encourage all to start afresh in the New Year with greater enthusiasm and zeal. The quarterly Newsletter and booklet ‘Pray and Live Your Sunday’ were made available to all.

4th Bus Pilgrimage organized on 17th February 2007,
to visit parishes having PEA Chapels in Andheri Deanery.

After a fairly long gap, the core team of PEA was finally able to mobilize a sufficient number of PEA coordinators for this Bus Pilgrimage to the Andheri deanery Adoration Chapels on Saturday 17th February 2007. With over fifty participants joining altogether, some at Salvation Dadar and the rest at Holy Family Chakala, we began the visit to each parish with a brief Scripture reading and reflection prepared by Mr. Richard D’Souza. This was done in the bus itself, so that in the chapel we could pray silently for a while, keeping in mind specially the intentions of the parish. We then moved on to the next parish on the list, with slightly longer stops for breakfast at St. John’s Marol, for lunch at Infant Jesus Jogeshwari and at Four Bungalows Andheri for tea.

At each parish, we were met and welcomed by the members of the Core Team of the parish coordinators who guided us and made us feel at home. Part of the proceedings at each parish was an interview with the Parish Priest on his perception of the PEA and its functioning. We sought to elicit suggestions from the Pastors for improving our performance. In general most were pretty happy with our work and encouraged us to keep moving with trust and enthusiasm.

PEA full day recollection held on 30th September 2007,

DEANERY REPRESENTATIVES’ MEETING held on 13th December 2006 & on 5th February 2007
The Deanery Representatives met on two occasions i.e. on 13th December 2006 and on 5th February 2007, at Conference Room, 2st flr., Salvation Seva Kendra, Dadar, at 6.30 p.m. Both meeting was chaired by our Secretary, Leo C. J. Fernandes with the permission of Rev. Fr. Erasto Fernandez. The meeting began with a prayer and the issues on the agenda were taken up. We had fruitful discussions and consented on the following: Implementing the plan for our quarterly meeting for the Coordinators scheduled for the 3rd January 2007, which would commence at 6 pm sharp, followed by an hour of Adoration with the Blessed Sacrament around 7 pm ~ 8 pm to be conducted by Theresa Carrasco and thereafter we would have a Get - Together with a couple of games, concluding with Dinner thereafter. In this way we hope to start the NEW YEAR on a cheerful note. We also discussed the plan for the Bus Pilgrimage covering the Churches and Chapels in the Andheri Deanery on 17th February 2007. Victoria and Stuart would draw up the proposed route / timings etc and the possible Coffee Break, Celebration of the Eucharist & Lunch and the Tea break en route. The Bus would accommodate about 50 persons and we proposed commencing around 7:15 am and would discuss the place of assembly along with other details at the meeting on 3rd January 2007. We would also check the number of persons coming for the Bus Pilgrimage. We had also talked about a Recollection together with our Quarterly meeting, subject to availability of the Hall at Salvation Church Dadar . Further on 5th February we planned and allotted duties for organizing the 5th Bus Pilgrimage and also discussed other matter of mutual interest.		One Coordinator drew the attention to consider Sahar [Our Lady of Health Church] as the first stopover instead of going criss-cross visiting the different PEA Chapels and thereby saving on travel time. Based on this point, Mr. Stuart explained the routing and minor difficulties and the matter was resolved by sticking to the original format. The Coordinators of Marol and Jogeshwari were kind enough to inquire if any special breakfast or meals were required and Mr. Leo and others said they would be happy with whatever they would offer. Mr. Stuart has been assigned to take charge of the bus and the timings. Mr. Tony has been assigned to prepare the questionnaires. And, Mr. Richard has been assigned to prepare the Gospel passages to be read and meditated during the journey. Some of the Coordinators of Andheri Deanery informed Mr. Leo that they and their colleagues would join the pilgrimage at Chakala as it would be easier to travel there directly instead of coming all the way to Salvation Church. Mr. Leo requested the Coordinators to inform their respective parishes about the arrival / departure time of the pilgrims to their Chapels as it would be nice to have their Parish Priest or Representative around to meet the coordinators. We also discussed about finance noting how we struggle to get donation from the parishes. It was suggested that the representatives will speak to their parish priest and find out what could be the difficulties. Overall the representatives proposed to have one day in a year dedicated to Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the whole Archdiocese of Mumbai. Suggestions are invited and the input planning has already begun.

4th Bus Pilgrimage organized on 17th February 2007, to visit parishes having PEA Chapels in Andheri Deanery.

After a fairly long gap, the core team of PEA was finally able to mobilize a sufficient number of PEA coordinators for this Bus Pilgrimage to the Andheri deanery Adoration Chapels on Saturday 17th February 2007. With over fifty participants joining altogether, some at Salvation Dadar and the rest at Holy Family Chakala, we began the visit to each parish with a brief Scripture reading and reflection prepared by Mr. Richard D’Souza. This was done in the bus itself, so that in the chapel we could pray silently for a while, keeping in mind specially the intentions of the parish. We then moved on to the next parish on the list, with slightly longer stops for breakfast at St. John’s Marol, for lunch at Infant Jesus Jogeshwari and at Four Bungalows Andheri for tea.
		The entire programme for the outing was prepared by the core group of Deanery Representatives and executed by them with zest and precision. Even the schedule of arrival at and departure from each parish was pretty much adhered to. The highlight of this pilgrimage was a sudden visit to the Home for Mentally Retarded, at Versova. Though it was not on our agenda, yet the members felt an urge to visit them. The sight was a touching one. It was noted how the inmates craved for love and affection. Though the visit was very short yet PEA coordinators were moved with compassion and tried their best to reciprocate. The departure from the house was a very touching one. The participants were overjoyed and returned refreshed in spirit and filled with a greater determination to work harder for the spread of Christ’s Eucharistic reign – especially during Lent. Mr. Stuart Bokaro, Mr. Anthony Pereira, Rev. Fr. Erasto Fernandez & Mr. Leo C. J. Fernandes
At each parish, we were met and welcomed by the members of the Core Team of the parish coordinators who guided us and made us feel at home. Part of the proceedings at each parish was an interview with the Parish Priest on his perception of the PEA and its functioning. We sought to elicit suggestions from the Pastors for improving our performance. In general most were pretty happy with our work and encouraged us to keep moving with trust and enthusiasm.

PEA full day recollection held on 30th September 2007,

A day of recollection was organized on 30th September 2007, at Salvation Seva Kendra Hall, Dadar, from morning 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. It was open not only to PEA Coordinators, but also to Committed Adorers and others. The attendants were more than expected. There were nearly more 80 participants. Rev. Fr. Erasto Fernandez, conducted this recollection. He began the session with mathematical puzzle, an exercise to begin with. But this exercise had purpose behind it. Though it took quite some time to be near the expected results, but it showed how the team works. The session thereafter continued in giving the inputs on how we can pray and invite others to pray. The session ended with one hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.