Posted February 29, 2008
Hungary - Blessing of foundation stone for the technical school for gypsies
(Kazincbarcika) – On Tuesday, February 19, 2008, the foundation stone for a new building to train gypsies in technologies at Don Bosco Technical School at Kazincbarcika was blessed in the presence of civic and Church leaders.
The new construction is a response to the increasing number of pupils coming from the gypsy community who over the past two years. This new development has been made possible thanks to the financial assistance of the Rector Major and a number of other sources.
The Provincial and the town mayor, who took part in the laying of the foundation stone, ezpressed their belief that the school will become a center for technical training for the northeast region of Hungary and will provide work for the Romany-gypsies who are often on the fringe of society.
Vatican –The Positio of Cardinal Augustus Hlond
(Vatican City) – Father Ambrogio Esser O.P., General Moderator of the Causes of Saints, and Moderator of the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Salesian Cardinal Augustus Hlond, (1881-1948), accepted the Positio of the Servant of God on February 18, 2008.
Fr. Stanislaw Zimniak, of the Salesian Historical Institute, compiled the two large volumes of nearly two thousand pages. The research presents the heroicity of his life and virtues as well as the reputation for holiness of the Servant of God. The Postulator General, Fr. Enrico dal Covolo, and his collaborator, Fr Luigi Fedrizzi joined Fr. Zimniak in making the presentation of the Positio.
Augustus Hlond was appointed by Pope Pius XI archbishop of Gniezno and Poznan, and Primate of Poland, on June 24, 1926. He founded the Society of Christ for the pastoral care of Poles scattered around various parts of the world. As the Second World War began, Cardinal Hlond was forced into exile until the end of the war. Even in this situation he did everything possible to put into practice the Da mihi animas of Don Bosco. Cardinal Hlond prophesied a decisive intervention by Mary in freeing Poland from the Soviet regime. His commitment to truth and integrity he opened the way for his great successors as primates of Poland, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and Cardinal Karol Wojtyla.
Servant of God Hlond died on October 22, 1948 and was the first to be buried in the Cathedral of Warsaw where he had presided as archbishop from the end of the war. Pope Benedict XVI, on his visit to Poland recollected himself in prayer before the tomb of the Servant of God.
Uruguay -- Summer Program to overcome idleness
While the Northern Hemisphere is enjoying the cool of winter, the southern Hemisphere is celebrating summer. In Juan Lacaze, Uruguay, the Salesians organized summer activities called MAO (Movement against Idleness). They have been doing this for almost 50 years, and the program continues to attract over 500 youngsters and 60 Leaders.
Perú – The first Achuar Deacons
(Yurimaguas) –Five new Permanent Deacons, of the Achuar tribe were ordained to serve in their community alongside the Salesians. Bishop José Luis Astigarraga, Vicar Apostolic of Yurimaguas, ordained them after they were formed by Fr. Luis Bolla, S.D.B..after .
The ordination mass, which contained several elements taken from the Achuar culture, was a great event for the whole Catholic community of this tribe which itself belongs to the Aínts or Jíbaros peoples. In the past, they were known for their ferocity and practice of head-shrinking - a custom no longer followed.
Fr. Bolla has been working with the Achuar people for 25 years. Commenting on this historic event, he said, “For us it was an occasion of great joy because we are certain that our missionary work is being consolidated.” Another Salesian Missionary, Fr. Clavijo said: “the ordination of the five Achuar Deacons is a sign of a church with a native face which is producing its own ministers.”
Papua New Guinea - Media Education Seminar in Kumgi
(Kumgi) – With the esplosion of differnet forms of media communications and the need for Salesians to utilize these in their ministry, Salesian novices, staff, student leaders and a few invited diocesan personnel attended a short Media Education Seminar February 6-7, 2008 at Don Bosco Technical School, Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea.
Myanmar - Priest Trains Youth To Be Active In Church `Now`
For more than 15 years, the Salesian priest has taught, cajoled and entertained Catholic youths with the aim of empowering them to play a more active role in the Church. Young people have responded well to his lectures on personal development, leadership, and management, pepped up with insights from Western self-help gurus including Stephen Covey, an American author of best-selling books on the Habits of Highly Effective People.
Father Bo Bo was born on Jan. 1, 1963, in Monhla, Shwebo township, in Mandalay archdiocese. As a teenager he joined the Salesians’ Nazareth Minor Seminary in Anisakan, Pyin Oo Lwin, 600 kilometers north of Yangon, to continue his studies from the 8th grade. He was ordained a priest in the town in 1991 and held the post of diocesan youth director in Lashio diocese until 1995. He studied teacher training and mass media in India and the Philippines before being put in charge of the youth ministry of Mandalay archdiocese 2004-2005. Over the past several years, he has conducted more than 250 youth training courses in all the dioceses of Myanmar. Father Bo Bo currently serves as rector of the Salesian novitiate and study house in Anisakan, Mandalay archdiocese, and continues to conduct courses to empower youth. UCA News interviewed him recently. The interview follows:
What would you say are the biggest challenges for Catholic youth in Myanmar?
I would say education and critical approach. The illiterate of this century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. We should engage in a community reflection among ourselves on the communitarian nature of apostolate in the Church and in the congregation, on social responsibility in the work of education, on the animating role of authority, and on the present-day trend toward an ever greater participation of everyone at all levels of the Church and society.
Does the modern world distract youth from being interested in the Church?
These are not just problems, they are challenges for all of us. We teach them about the teaching of the Church, but the messages they receive contradict what we are teaching. The superior man thinks always of virtue, whereas the common man thinks only of comfort. Before any concrete steps are taken there must be a strategic plan and, behind it, action plans and backup plans. Our view of the future is based on feasibility studies and the plans we control.
Are Catholic youth losing interest in the Church? Modern trends including greater participation of the laity in the Church in general are now finding their way to Myanmar. The Church here is attaching more importance to the work done by laypeople. There is a growing awareness of the saving role of the laity and more chances and opportunities are now being offered to them. Whatever be the category of the young with whom we work, we are realizing more and more today that our young people have to discover the meaning of their life. They need to be steeped in proper values. They have to develop a strong sense of social concern, especially because of the great poverty surrounding them. And religion must become so meaningful and central in their lives that it gives them a vision and courage for all that they do in society.
Is the Church doing anything to keep youth interested?
We try to help the youth stand on their own feet, to make the conversion from received faith to owned faith. An important evolution in terms of conversion takes place as young people pass through different stages. In owned faith, young people take on responsibility for their own beliefs, actions and lifestyle. This is a significant change from the received faith that depended on the authority of the community. “Going along with the crowd is no longer in.It is no longer possible to hide in the group. The young person needs to look Jesus in the face and give a personal response to his invitation: Come, follow me.”
What programs do you run to help develop Catholic youth?
Conditions for holistic formation need to be created as young people pass through different stages of faith development and critical awareness. A balance is sought between different dimensions of the young person’s life: self-knowledge, integration, social formation, spiritual and theological formation, leadership skills and planning. These we offer, as a team, to youth and adults of various dioceses in Myanmar. If we combine reason with religion and kindness, and knowledge of the different methods of teaching, we can make learning effective.
How do you deal with difficult or badly behaved youth?
There are challenges dealing with difficult youth but they are manageable. Concern and action for justice is a characteristic of mature faith. Unjust structures shape people’s thinking and values and create poverty and marginalization. Action must be preceded by an analysis of cause. Young people who pass to this stage of faith development have overcome the separation between faith and life. This stage can be the most critical stage, the most difficult, the most complex. I frequently prod youths to think seriously by asking the question, Why? I am interested in them and their problems, so they ask me questions openly and request advice from me.
Do Catholic youths face discrimination in this predominantly Buddhist country?
The vast majority of the population in Myanmar is made of youths. Buddhism has by far the most adherents in this country, so most of the youths belong to this religion. There is a semblance of peace and freedom in religion.
What would you say is memorable for you in working with youth?
“Why am I afraid to tell who I am?” This can understandably be part of the experience of many people as human beings. The answer may be just the opposite [of what one might think]: “Because I do not know how great I am.” The realization of how great I am, as a Christian, does bring deep joy and unlimited strength. “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” [Saint Paul`s Letter to the Galatians, 2:20]. We are born and live among non-Christians and we follow the non-Christians` pattern of life and ideals. A Christian will never be fully satisfied only with earthly things, only with earthly values. The call to be a Christian, the call to be an apostle, is a call to blessedness. Every Christian is really a blessed one, because he has been called, chosen and loved by God himself. All these sentiments are felt by our youths, with renewed vigor and zest for the life ahead of them. www.ucanews.com http://www.donboscoindia.com/english/bis/default_ms.php?newsid=1706&pno=1
Thailand - Waves of love and grace replace a Tsunami’s destruction
(Takuapa) - Our Lady of Grace Church at Takuapa District, Phang Nga Province Thailand, was blessed by Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, and Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil S.D.B. of Suratthani diocese on February 18, 2008. The religious ceremony began a day of celebration which one observer described as “waves of love and grace” now washing over a scene devastated by the Tsunami on December 26, 2004.
The new church was built through the generosity of so many people who wanted to set up something permanent after the death and destruction of the Tsunami. The Thai Bishops Conference, the Suratthani Catholic Foundation, priests, religious and laity came to the support of Takuapa.
After the devestation of the Tsunami, a new community called Baan Porntawan was formed. It has become the social-pastoral Center of the Suratthani Diocese at Takuapa providing space for cultural and ecclesial learning, ecumenical and religious dialog and social communications. It has an activities center for young people, the elderly, and villagers in general, providing space for meetings, seminars, and experiences in culture and faith. The Center welcomes visitors from 60 villages along the Andaman Coast, 50 miles north and south of the Center itself. It is a sign of God`s love in the region.
Switzerland – Daughters of Mary Help of Christians: an office for human rights
(Geneva) – On February 11, 2008, Sr. Maria de los Angeles Contreras, Councillor of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for the Salesian Family, announced the opening of an Office for Human Rights in Geneva-Veyrier in Switzerland.
The initiative was begun to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights and actually began on December 5, 2007. It is meant to provide “a place from which to animate and train in the field of Human Rights according to the social perspective of the Mission of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.” The opening of the office is also intended to be a practical response to the invitation of the Sisters’ last General Chapter: “To defend the rights of all, especially of the young and the weak, and to appreciate the value of dialog and the possibilities of different cultures, ethnic groups and religious confessions living together.”
In the letter sent to all the Provincials, the purpose of the office was described as follows: “in agreement with the General Council through the Councillor for the Salesian Family; … through a series of small steps; in direct contact and linked with Catholic International Organisations (OIC) and COIC (Conference of Catholic International Organizations), with headquarters in Genera and networking with VIDES International; in dialog with the Provinces …; with the collaboration of groups of students … of volunteers undertaking civilian service; in discussion with other Sisters and Lay people familiar with and trained in issues regarding human rights and in particular the rights of children, young people and women.”
Sr. Maria Grazia Caputo, will head the Office of Human Rights. She will organize the Office in harmony with the educational charism of the Salesian spirit; build up a Data Base of the best practices of the Provinces in the field of the human rights of children, young people and women; take part in meetings of the UN Council for Human Rights in order to identify the best ways of making a contribution and the areas on which to focus attention; arrange for the participation of the Institute in the Council for Human Rights during the more important sessions as regards the rights of children, young people and women; suggest ways to involve the Provinces; and, finally, build up a network of collaboration with the civil and religious institutions in Geneva.
India - Juvenile Justice - A Way Forward
(Vijayawada) - The two day national level workshop on `Juvenile Justice (JJ) – A Way Forward` began on February 11, 2008 in Vijayawada. This two day national workshop gathered ninety nine eminent Child Right activists, including government officials and policy makers. Participants from across India and also Bangladesh came with a vast and varied experience in child care work. A goal of the workshop was to increase the knowledge base of the participants and to facilitate networking and collaboration with diverse organizations working for a child friendly world.
Don Bosco South Asia Forum for Young at Risk (DBSFYaR) led by Fr. Thomas Koshy, S.D.B. collaborated with the Child Rights Advocacy Forum (CRAF), FORUM for Child Rights, Vijayawada in organinzing the event.
The action plan formulated after the two day intensive interaction captured the passion of the friends of children in making the JJ Act something practical and truly child-friendly. Since the JJ Act regulates nearly 2,500 government institutions sheltering 250,000 children, the findings and suggestions of the group will have a vast impact.. Collectively, the gathering sought to examine the Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act), its rules, and implementation in order to make a way forward where society and the law treat the child with greater dignity as a person and a citizen.
Austria - The Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking
(Vienna) - With the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accreditation the Salesians are able to participate in the forums and conferences in all of the major UN Centers worldwide. Fr. Meinolf von Spee, the head of Don Bosco International is representing Salesians at the `Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking`, taking place from February 13-15. The Vienna Forum provides a unique opportunity to share knowledge, best-practices and partnerships with all stakeholders in dealing with the crime of human trafficking, a crime that shames us all.
Fr. von Spee’s participation in the Form is part of an effort of the NY UN Office of the Salesians to have the Salesians involved in an issue that has become increasingly important on the agenda of the member states and one that many religious orders are collaborating on.
The Forum was organized by UN.GIFT. The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) was conceived to join forces and coordinate the global fight on human trafficking, on the basis of foremost international agreement reached at the United Nations. To date over 110 countries have signed the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children that supplements the Palermo Convention against trans-national organized crime. The Salesians will be participating in other efforts to combat trafficking through Fr. Tom Brennan in the NY NGO Office in the months ahead.
UN.GIFT was launched in March 2007 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with a grant made on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. It is managed in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO); the International Organization for Migration (IOM); the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR); the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Belgium – Annual meeting of Don Bosco International
(Brussels) – On February 12, 2008 Don Bosco International invited friends and representatives of the EU Commission, Commission of EU Bishops Conferenceì (COMECE), other NGOs and Friends of Don Bosco for to its annual reception in Brussels.
This meeting provided a forum to present the Strenna of the Rector Major for 2008 to the wider public. Fr. Meinolf von Spee explained the key idea of the Strenna for 2008: Education in the style of Don Bosco - as the heart and core of Salesian identity - to allow young people to achieve greater dignity, especially if they are less fortunate in society. The Salesian Charism mandates that the Salesians foster the rights of young people.
The reception was catered by the Salesian Catering Project (CDO), a local Salesian work that employs young people who have several physical handicaps. Fr. Luk Delft, S.D.B., director of the CDO, explained to the invited guests that his program is designed to help train marginalized youth participants so they can support themselves and enhance their human dignity. The presence of these young people is a testimonial to the commitment of the Salesians to assisting poor and abandoned youth of every type.
Back to Salesian World News » |
