Hyderabad, Pakistan, 18 January 2024 -- From 28 December 2023 to 6 January 2024, Fr Sami Ghouri, SDB, Rector of Don Bosco Quetta, and Brother Francis Nhat, SDB, undertook an 800-kilometer journey from Quetta to Hyderabad City. The primary purpose was to meet Bishop Samson Shukardin, OFM, the Bishop of Hyderabad Diocese, and attend the annual retreat for the upcoming year, 2024.
During the three-day stay in the bishop’s residence, the Salesians had the opportunity to explore various locales, engage with the community, and participate in meaningful dialogues with diocesan priests and the bishop. The shared experiences shed light on the prevalent slavery mindset, prompting Bishop Samson to eagerly invite the SDBs to live among the youth in his Diocese. The bishop has already met with the Rector Major in the past regarding this invitation.
On December 31, 2023, 80 km from the bishop’s house is the Joti Educational and Cultural Centre in Mirpur Khas, where the annual retreat that was facilitated by Columban priests was held. Guided by Fr Tomas King, an Irish missionary, this retreat served as a period of rejuvenation and a reaffirmation of the commitment entrusted by God to the Salesian mission in Pakistan.
On the final day of the retreat, Fr Tomas extended an invitation to visit a local tribe and witness a wedding ceremony. This eye-opening experience allowed them to observe the challenges faced by the poor and discriminated minorities in Pakistan. Bishop Samson eagerly awaited the arrival of the Salesians to contribute to the welfare of the youth, addressing the cycle of poverty and limited education that leads to generational enslavement.
With sincere appreciation to God, the guidance of Mama Mary, and the protection of St. Don Bosco, the Salesians of Don Bosco Quetta expressed heartfelt thanks for the enriching experiences with the Hyderabad diocese and for a secure journey back to Quetta on the evening of January 6, 2024.
Stepping into the New Year, the Salesians of Don Bosco in Quetta are filled with renewed vigor and a stronger commitment to their divine calling. Their mission remains steadfast. They aim to engage with the young, the impoverished, and the abandoned.
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