Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter

February 2013

Family: A Sacred Space

Value in BEING FAMILY

Called to be Value Gurus for Todays Young

FamiliesaretheCompassthatguidesus.
TheyaretheInspirationtoreachgreatheights,
andourComfortwhenweoccasionallyfalterBradHenry

The National outrage in our country, now termed The Rape Capital of the World, over
therecentgangrapes,hasleftapainandadarkspotontheveryfabricofsocietythefamily!Socialactiv
ists took to the streets demanding justice and to fast track the judicial process. Those angered yelled
DeathtotheRapists,whilethecalmerones,maybe,joinedinsilentcandlelightprotests.TVChannels
feastedonthelivestreetactionbetweenpoliceandprotesters.Suddenlyitlookedasiftheentirenation
wasshocked,angeredandhurt.ThePresidentinhisfirstRepublicDayspeechexhortedthenationto"reset
itsmoralcompass"andWelostmorethanavaluablelife;welostadream.IftodayyoungIndiansfeelout
raged,canweblameouryouth?Whenwebrutalizeawoman,wewoundthesoulofourcivilization,"

Butsadly,everythingwillsoonbeforgotten.Anotherstorywillcatchthelimelight.Thecandlelight
protesters will go back to the comforts of their home, while the activists will take up another cause. The
Victimswillbeleftalone,scarredemotionallyforlife...streetswillstillbeunsafe,schoolswillcontinuetobe
soft targets, workplaces will still be danger zones. In the midst of all this, the place of Values is rightly
questioned. Where do we begin, how do we inculcate it and when will society learn to live by it? The
answeris:EveryCivilizationexistsonthestrengthofitsFamilyValues!Safetyisourrightanditbeginsat
home.

Thereisonlyonequestiononthemindofeverymothertoday,Ismydaughtersafe;athome,on
thebus,atschool,thepark,theworkplace?OnlywhenFamilythebasicunitofsociety,isunderstood
and appreciated, will we begin to respect all as brothers and sisters. It is rightly said, that the best gift a
fathercangivehischildrenistolovetheirmother.Loveconquersall.Whenfamilylifeisdisruptedbyenvy,
misunderstanding,unforgiveness,violenceandanger,itsfalloutisspilledontothestreets.Violencebegets
moreviolence,disrespectbegetsmoredisrespect.Loveisdefeatedandlustmakesitsdemandsthatcauses
more hurt , abuse and pain. This issue of Values for the Yatra focuses on Family Values. We need to
restructure society on the firm foundations of Family Values.we need to play our part. Education to
FamilyValuesmustbegininthehomeandfindsitsextensionintheschoolandbeyond.Everylifeissacred
and must be respected with utmost care and respect. Schools have an important role to
playandValuesfortheYatraisonestepinthatdirection.
May2013,beforusall,ajourneytovaluewholeness,wisdom,respectandtruth.

Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter

February 2013

FAMILY: My Foundation

HowdoyoudefineFamilyValues?Havingstrongwelldefinedfamily
values helps solidify the foundation for a strong, tight knit family.
Strong and consistent family values are important in building trust
andconfidenceineachfamilymember.
HerearesomeessentialFamilyValues.

1.Belonging. Itisimportantthateachmemberfeelsthattheyareloved,thatthey
belongandthattheymatter.Creatingastrongfamilyunitisgreatbuteachpersonshouldbeallowedthe
spaceandfreedomtoexploretheactivitiestheythinktheymayenjoy.Comingtogetherforspecialocca
sionsandholidaysandjustspendingtimetogetherasafamilyiswhathelpsbuildthatsenseofbelonging.
2.Flexibility,schedulesandstructureinthefamilyhelpmaintainsomelevelofsanity.
3. Respect. This is a bit more difficult to define. Respect is indeed earned and there is a very fine line
betweenitandfear.Theonlywaytoearnandkeepsomeonesrespectistofirstshowthemrespectyour
self.Respectasanimportantfamilyvaluewillextendoutofthehomeandintoschool,workorothersocial
settings.
4.Honesty. Thisisthefoundationofanyrelationshipsthataremeanttolast.Motherdaughter,husband

wife, sisterbrother. Without honesty a deeper connection will not form and certainly wont last.
Encouragehonestybypracticingunderstandingandrespectwhensomeonetellsyouoftheirwrongdoings.
Ifweloseitandgetangrywhenweretoldwhathashappenedtheotherpersonwillbemorelikelytohide
itfromyounexttimesimplytoavoidthedisrespect.
5.Forgiveness. Forgivingpeoplewhohavewrongedyouisanimportantchoicetomake.Yes,forgiveness
isachoice.Keepinmindthateveryonemakesmistakes,wealloccasionallysaythingswewishwehadnt
andnoneofusareperfect.Getissuesoutintheopen,gainsomeunderstandingandmoveon.Lifeistoo
short.
6. Generosity. Givingwithoutthinkingwhatsinitformeisanimportantvalueforanyonewantingto
bearesponsible,contributingmembertosociety.Throughgenerositywebuildempathysincewetendto
thinkmoreaboutwhatpeoplewantorneed.Itcanalsoincludegivingyourtime,love,attentionoreven
someofyourpossessions.
7.Communication.Communicationisasmuchanartasitisascience.Afailuretocommunicatewilllikely
leadtounhappinessandmisunderstandings.

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter

February 2013

Value of NATIONAL INTEGRATION

8. Responsibility. Wedallliketobeconsideredresponsiblepeople.Someofusareandsomeofusare
decidedlylessso.Responsibilityissomethingthatislearned.Asachildyoumayhavebeenshownhowto
putyourtoysawayafterplaying,howtotidyyourroomorhowandwhentofeedthedog.Thissenseof
responsibility extends well into adulthood. An adult who has an intrinsic sense of responsibility doesnt
require a lot of prodding to show up to work on time, return phone calls or meet deadlines. Setting out
individualresponsibilitiesforfamilymembersworkstoinstillthisqualityineveryone.
Family values give our children a foundation to build upon. It helps them know they are loved and gives
them a sense of belonging. Upon this sure foundation, they can spread their wings and grow to become
parentswhosharethesesamevalueswiththeirownchildren.Buildingafoundationforyourchildoffamily
valuesmaynotbeaseasyasyouthink.Oftenwebelievethatourchildwillpickuponourvaluesiftheylive
inthesamehome.Whiletheymaypickupmanyofyourvalues,parentsneedtoremembertheyarenotthe
only influence in their child's life. These outside values often compete with family values for your child's
attention. If we do not make a conscious effort to instill our values into our children, they may not get
instilledatall.Mr.RochwynFernandes

AVEC ACTIVITIES: January 2013

HolyCrossHighSchoolJuhu,StudentsValueOrientation

St. Marys ConventAlibag: Students Value Orientation

HolyCrossHighSchoolJuhu,TeachersValueOrientation

KhalsaCollegeFYB.Com:StudentsValueOrientation

School Visits to:

JohntheEvangelistHighSchoolMarol,OurLadyofGoodHealthSahar,
ArnoldJanssenHighSchoolAndheri,St.AnnesHighSchoolBandra,Auxilium
HighSchoolBandra,St.StanislausHighSchoolBandra,St.JosephsHigh
SchoolBandra,St.AndrewsHighSchoolBandra,St.AnthonysHighSchool
Versova,St.LouisHighSchoolAndheri,St.BlaiseHighSchoolAmboli

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan
Centre (AVEC
(AVEC))E-Letter
E-Letter
ArchdiocesanValue
Value Education
Education Centre

December
2009
February
2013

FAMILY:Promoting
AM Values
I inthroughOne
FAMILY
?
Life Alliance
Forget About Me, I Love You !
ReflectivestatementsontheQualityofmyLifeinfamily

Poor

Satisf.

Average Good

Excellent

1.Ibelievethatfamilyandhomearesacredplacesformy
journeyoflifeandIbelongherealways

2.Whateverthesituation,Istandbymyfamilythrough
thickandthin

3.WhenIamindifficulties,IknowIcancountonmy
familyforstrengthandsupport

4.IcanhonestlysaythatthevaluesIlearntathomeare
thefoundationsofmylifetoday

5.Imakeitapointtospendqualitytimewithmyparents,
brothersandsisterseveryday

6.Icanshareandcommunicatethedeepestpains,hurts
andanguishwithmembersofmyfamily

7.Attheendoftheday,mygreatestneedandjoyistobe

8.Thelossofadearoneinmyfamilyisdeeplyfelt

9.Icareforthemembersofmyfamilyandensurethat
thegoodnameofmyfamilyisalwaysupheld

10.Iseekguidanceandblessingsfrommyparentsinall

11.HomeiswhereIcangrowandmaturephysically,
intellectually,emotionallyandspirituallytoo

12.Ilovemyfamilyandwouldn'ttradeanythingforit

Thefamilyisboththefundamentalunitofsocietyas
wellastherootofculture.It...isaperpetualsourceof
encouragement,advocacy,assurance,andemotional
refuelingthatempowersachildtoventurewith
confidenceintothegreaterworldandtobecome
allthats/hecanbe.

MARIANNEE.NEIFERT,Dr.Mom'sParentingGuide

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter

February 2013

A Students Prayer

OGod,theDivineSourceofAllLife,KnowledgeandWisdom,
andtheSpringofEverythingPure,HolyandTrue
andtheDispellerofDarknessandIgnorance
IthankyoufortheGiftofLifeandtheFuturethatliesbeforeme.

MaymypreparationforExaminationsandLifebeguidedbyyourDivineValues
AndmayIdailyfocusonthepathtolivingameaningfulandholylife.
Blessmydailyeffortstostudyandgainknowledge
Andinthemomentsoffatigue,distractionandfailure
MayyourSpiritoncemoreempowermetorefocus,recallandreenergizemymind.

Helpmetounderstandtheimportanceofstudyinmylife,
andnevertobesatisfiedwithmereaverageperformances.
MayyourHolySpiritenablemetomakewisechoicesthisday
Andtobalancemytimebetweensmartstudyandhealthyrecreation.

Blessmyparents,myschoolandteachersandallthosewhoprovidedformyeducativejourney
Andmaytheseedsofinformationandknowledgegrowintoamightytreeofwisdom
ThatwillbringlightandhopetothoseIwillonedayguideandinspire.

MayIbehonest,diligentandcarefulinmyExams
andbecourageoustoacceptitsresultswithnoexcusesattached.

MayYourDivineLightdispelthedarknessthangloomsmyvision
MayYouDivineTruthpenetratethefalsehoodinme
andmaytheBreathofYourDivineLiferecreateinmeHope
andtheWillandDeterminationtomakeofmyLife
aworthwhileandmeaningfulcontribution
toYou,society,familyandself.AMEN

Fr.GlenfordLowesdb

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter

February 2013

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter

CHRISTMAS TYME COMPETITION RESULTS :

SENIORS(CHRISTMASCARD)

February 2013

Congratulations

1.DivyaSughandi

DonBoscoSeniorSecondary,Nerul

FIRST

2.SandraPereira

DivineChildHighSchool,Andheri

SECOND

3.OmkarThotam

St.Mary'sHighSchool(SSC),Mazagoan

IX

THIRD

3.SailiP.Mestry

St.CharlesHighSchool,Vakola

IXC

THIRD

1.SanchitaShirur

St.CharlesHighSchool,Vakola

VIIC

FIRST

2.LizaGard

DonBoscoSeniorSecondary,Nerul

VIII

SECOND

3.GavinA.

St.StanislausHighSchool,Bandra

VIIB

THIRD

4.SanayDoshi

CampionSchool,Fort

VII

THIRD

INTERS(CHRISTMASCARD)

JUNIORS(CHRISTMASCARD)
1.AngelGeorge

LoretoConvent,Chembur

IVB

FIRST

2.Yuthika

DonBoscoSeniorSecondary,Nerul

VIB

SECOND

2.EvitaC.Roche

St.Anne'sHighSchool,Fort

VA

SECOND

3.JagnitiM.Telawane

HolyCrossConvent,Kalyan

VA

THIRD

3.ManjiriaTalegaonkar

MaryImmaculateHighSchool,Borivili

IVC

THIRD

CHRISTMASCAROLCOMPETITION
1.St.MarysHighSchool,MazagaonFIRST
2.DonBoscoSeniorSecondary,NerulSECOND

AVEC COMPETITION: EducationtoBecoming

NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL

Family: Foundation for Values

Write an Editorial for any Newspaper

Approximately 8001000 Words

Focus on the present scenario in the country and family values

The Editorial must be typed and sent to us

Please send the best Three Entries in each

category (Juniors/Inters/ Seniors) to AVEC by the February 26, 2013. Thank you

Values for the Yatra

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC ) E-Letter

February 2013

Examinations

DonBoscoYouthServices(DBYS)Matunga
AVECwishestoinformyou:
ValueThemefornextScholasticYear
TogetherwithAVECinvitesallSTUDENTSof
EmbraceValues:EnrichLives
STDX&XII,togetherwiththeirparents,
BooknowforValueEducation
toaEucharisticCelebrationat12.00noon
OrientationProgramsforTeachers
onSunday,February10,2013
orStudents.
attheShrineofDonBoscosMadonna,Matunga
Fr.GeorgeCarlos,SDBPrincipalofDonBoscoHigh
School,BoriviliwillofficiateandprayforGods
blessingsonallthoseappearingfortheirExams
AVEC E-Letter Values for the Yatra is an initiative to provide Animation Resources for Teachers
involved in Value Education in the ABE schools/ Jr. Colleges .Values for the Yatra will be published
every month and is for Private Circulation. Your valuable suggestions are most welcome to assist us
in making Values for the Yatra a useful tool of animation and bonding among the teachers and students of the ABE schools in Mumbai.
CONTACT:
Fr. Glenford Lowe, SDB / Rochwyn Fernandes / Sr. Vera / Veronica Dlima
AVECDon Bosco Youth Services, Matunga 400019 , MUMBAI
Ph: 24154477
e-mail: avecmatunga@gmail.com
Blog: avecmumbaidbys.blogspot.com Facebook: avec mumbai