KALYANI: 19th June '04 -- A post-novitiate training center in West Bengal provides bicycles to every brother in training to facilitate Sunday Ministry. Currently there are 15 brothers and seven more are expected to join the first course in September 2004.

“Fr.Thomas Polackal SDB, the first Rector of Don Bosco Vidyaniketan Kalyani encouraged the use of bicycles for the ministry by both priests and brothers,” said Fr Thomas Ellicherayil, the fifth Rector of the Institute.  “Besides helping the brothers to be active in the apostolate, this cheap and common means of transport also helps them to keep physically fit,” he added. “The cycles today cost about Rs. 2,000 (USD 50). It gives the brothers a sense of responsibility and accountability for the use of temporal goods,” says Br Mani Theruvil, the administrator.

The brothers use the bicycles to reach four distant venues of Sunday ministry and also for short outings on Thursday afternoons. The distant places they visit are: Familia orphanage and the Missionaries of Charity Brothers center for the handicapped at Kanchrapara some 10 kms away from Kalyani. The brothers also animate Ashalayam Street children’s homes at Kalyani and Palpara. They run a Sunday oratory at Dolipur, a predominantly Muslim Village, 7 k.m from  Kalyani.
“The bicycles are easy to handle and we are happy to use them for Sunday ministry and Thursday outing,” said Br. Sunil Kerketta of Guwahati province.

 

All the bicycles are kept in good condition as each Brother is responsible for maintenace of his own bicycle.  Bro. Mani Theruvil, the administrator, has made a separate cycle shed and corrugated-iron roofing for their safe keeping.

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