The Province organized its annual Commission Meeting at Mario Hall, Provincial House, Panbazar, on 08 July 2026, bringing together Salesian priests and brothers from across the Province to evaluate ongoing initiatives and formulate action plans for the year 2026–2027.
The meeting commenced with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, followed by a warm welcome from the Provincial, Rev. Fr Sebastian Kuricheal, SDB. In his introductory address, Fr Kuricheal explained the rationale behind convening the meeting immediately after the First Annual Spiritual Retreat at Siloam. He noted that the arrangement was made to facilitate the participation of confreres who had attended the retreat, enabling them to contribute to the discussions before returning to their respective communities.
Expressing his gratitude to the participants, the Provincial acknowledged the efforts made by many confreres to attend the meeting despite their commitments. He described their presence as a sign of their enthusiasm and dedication to advancing the mission of the Province. According to him, the gathering reflected a shared commitment to ensuring that the Province continues to grow in its apostolic and educational service.
Fr Kuricheal emphasized that the various commissions exist to help the Province fulfil its mission effectively throughout the year. He pointed out that several commissions had actively carried out programmes and initiatives that contributed significantly to the pastoral, educational, and social ministries of the Province. At the same time, he encouraged commissions that had been less active to renew their commitment and become more involved in the life and mission of the Province.
The Provincial explained that the purpose of bringing together all commission members was to create an opportunity for reflection, collaboration, and planning. He invited each commission to meet in its respective group, discuss its priorities, and formulate concrete plans for the coming year. He recalled that although a similar meeting had been held the previous year, not all commissions had continued their discussions and activities regularly. Therefore, the present meeting sought to strengthen participation, accountability, and teamwork among commission members.
Highlighting the broader vision behind the commissions, Fr Kuricheal stated that the gathering was a moment of discernment and planning for the good of the Province and the people it serves. He reminded the participants that the ultimate focus of every commission is the welfare and development of young people. Through education, pastoral care, social outreach, and value formation, the Province seeks to help young people become responsible citizens and active collaborators in building a better society.
He further encouraged the commissions to examine what had already been accomplished, identify areas that require greater attention, and propose initiatives that would contribute to the growth of the Province and the effectiveness of its ministries. The discussions, he said, should enable the Province to respond more effectively to its mission and continue serving the young and the people entrusted to its care.
Following the introductory session, participants broke into their respective commission groups to discuss action plans for 2026–2027. The afternoon session featured presentations from the various commissions, covering areas such as School Education, Higher Education, Non-Formal Education, Youth at Risk, Migrants’ Desk, Parish and Mission, Youth Centres and Oratories, Scouts and Guides, Formation, Social Communication, Finance, Protection of Minors, Ecology, and other important sectors of the Province’s mission.
In his concluding address, Rev. Fr Sebastian Kuricheal, SDB, emphasized that every commission must continually strive for improvement, reminding the participants that no ministry has reached perfection and that there is always room to grow in serving the young and society more effectively. He stressed that the Province’s educational institutions, hostels, parishes, and other apostolates must adapt to changing times, embrace new educational policies and technologies, and ensure that teachers and staff are equipped to meet the needs of today’s youth.
The Provincial expressed concern over the declining number of students in Salesian hostels and the diminishing involvement of young people in vocation promotion. He urged the confreres to rediscover Don Bosco’s spirit by welcoming and accompanying young people, especially those who need guidance the most, rather than merely maintaining existing institutions.
Fr Kuricheal also called upon every commission to evaluate its work regularly, meet consistently, and move beyond preparing reports to implementing practical initiatives. He highlighted the importance of strengthening safeguarding committees, Scouts and Guides, Past Pupils, Salesian Cooperators, and other movements at the local level through greater initiative and collaboration.
Finally, he appealed to the Province to pay greater pastoral attention to migrant youth and workers by maintaining contact with them and supporting them in preserving their faith and well-being. Concluding his address, he encouraged everyone to do more than they are presently doing so that the Province’s mission may become increasingly effective, especially in serving young people entrusted to Salesian care.
