The much awaited Conference of the Asia-Pacific English Speaking World (CAP-ESW) Circumscriptions on Pauline Mission among People of Different Faiths and Cultures had an exciting and colourful start on Tuesday 14th February 2017 in the Alberione Hall at St Pauls Media Complex, Mumbai, India. The atmosphere was ecstatic and the air was dense with enthusiasm and hope as participants from six countries (USA, Australia, Philippines, Japan, S. Korea and India) along with members of the provincial & the local communities in Mumbai, and many invitees from the Pauline Family joined the inaugural function at 9 am.
The program began with a beautiful dance by the Novices of the Daughters of St Paul, after which, the Major Superiors of the participating Circumscriptions lit the traditional Indian lamp and inaugurated the conference. Fr Michael Raj, the Provincial Superior of India-Nigeria-Great Britain-Ireland Province, in his welcome address highlighted the importance of fine-tuning our mission according to the signs of the times and especially in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-faith situation, so as to make ourselves relevant today.
Keeping up with the culture and tradition of India, all the participants from abroad were then personally welcomed by presenting each a shawl. Fr Celso Godilano, the General Councillor and the President of the Seminar, read the message of the Superior General who warmly greeted all the participants and wished them a fruitful seminar.
The short yet meaningful opening ceremony, meticulously planned and executed by the members of the host country, was concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr Jose Paul Chittinappilly, the Superior of the local community, Mumbai.