Spiritual Gifts and Practical Gifts - Training Young Salesians in West Africa
In the third week of Advent, as we focus on joy, we hear from our GBR Missions Office, which supports the work of Salesian Missions across the world, and in particular, funds the training of young Salesians in the Anglophone West Africa (AFW) Province: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria.
The British Province has had a long connection with Liberia in particular, and this continues in its financial contribution towards the training of young Salesians in the AFW Province. For several decades, through the GBR Missions Office, we have made a commitment to send £7,500 a month (£90,000 a year), to support the formation of young men from this very youthful Province, where over half of the approximately 200 Salesians are in formation. This formation takes place in the countries of the AFW Province and beyond, as they continue their studies in East Africa, Italy, Germany and Great Britain.
Story and photos: The Foundry Agency
St John Bosco Arts College has wowed audiences with its 2018 school production, The Greatest Show. More than 240 of students from Years 7 to 13 were cast in the production, inspired by last year’s blockbuster hit The Greatest Showman.
All Saints, Sheffield, a member of the Salesian Schools Network UK, has just launched its RUAH awards scheme, named for the four Salesian principles - Respect, Understanding, Affection and Happiness, and forming the Hebrew word 'Ruah", meaning the breath of God.
As part of All Saints' celebration and rewards for students, the new scheme presents a certificate each half-term to a student who embodies the saintly qualities of the school's House Patron Saints, and who demonstrates respect, understanding, affection and humour in their every day life and interactions.
Don Bosco Green Alliance, an initiative of the Salesians in India, is an international collective of young people from Don Bosco institutions and organisations that contributes to global environmental action, thought and policy.
Salesian schools, colleges, parishes and other groups all over the world are warmly invited to join the Alliance and team up with over 80 other member-organisations from 29 countries. All members are asked to make specific commitments to doing their bit locally for a greener world, which link in some way to the three broad priority areas on which the Alliance is currently focused: combating pollution, reducing global warming and eliminating disposable plastic.
A few weeks ago, we shared news from Rome about the theme for the 28th General Chapter, “What Salesians for today’s youth?”. Ahead of our Provincial Chapter in April 2019, the consultations with young people called for by the Rector Major, have begun, and Fr David O’Malley SDB describes one of the first meetings.
On Friday, the eve of the feast of Mary immaculate, the community in Battersea invited a group of 6th form students from St John Bosco College to talk to them about the theme of the next chapter: "what kind of Salesians for the youth of today?"
On Tuesday December 11th, two Year 11 pupils from Salesian School Chertsey, Niamh Forbes and Calogera Scannella, led a Fairtrade assembly for pupils at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Primary School Weybridge, accompanied by Chaplain Fr Marco Villani SDB. The children, aged from Year 3 upwards were treated to a PowerPoint presentation containing a selection of images pertaining to various types of food, with the challenge being to guess correctly which Fairtrade produce was represented.
A few weeks ago, we shared the news that singers from Salesian School Chertsey's Staff Choir, Scholars and Sinfonia had been invited by Aid to the Church in Need to record a special version of the Twelve Days of Christmas for the charity's new Christmas appeal. Now you can watch the video and hear them sing.
Find out more about ACN's Christmas campaign
Spiritual Gifts and Practical Gifts - Phoenix Summer Camps
In the second week of Advent, we hear from two of the staff from schools who bring children to our Phoenix Summer Camps, about the benefits the see for their students and schools. The camps give an active, faith-based holiday to young people who need a break they may not otherwise get. Each year, several secondary schools bring ten Year 7 students each, along with two members of staff, to Base Camp at Savio House, our Youth Retreat Centre in Bollington. They have lots of fun indoors and out, make new friends, learn more about cooperation, support each other and share prayer together - all in true in Salesian style. The camps are planned and led by the Salesian Youth Ministry team with support from additional volunteers, and each week-long camp offers a wide range of activities, including trips out to Stockport swimming pool and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
On 8th December 1841, the recently ordained Fr John Bosco was preparing to say Mass, when he came across a frightened, ragged boy who had been sheltering in the church. Don Bosco talked to him gently, and learnt about his hard life and lack of education - both spiritual and academic. He taught the youngster the Hail Mary, and assured him of a welcome in future, asking him to bring his friends next week.
The latest book by Fr Michael T Winstanley SDB is now in stock, and from the number of enquiries about it received at Don Bosco Publications before its launch, it's going to be very popular!
‘Alive! The Gospel Resurrection Narratives: Then and Now’, represents Michael’s ability to sensitively and effectively translate scholarly work on scripture into language that speaks vividly to Christians today.
Order now from our online bookshop, £14 including UK p&p, or contact Don Bosco Publications for bulk and overseas orders.
Summer 2018
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