Posted January 16, 2009
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Attack on the Salesian Community
(Goma) – During the night between January 14th and 15th, the Salesian community at the Industrial Technical Institute in Goma (ITIG) was violently attacked by several armed men.
After sneaking into the compound, they assaulted the 5 religious who are living in the School. They are located not far from the headquarters the United Nations’ Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). The armed men stole as much as they could carry from the place.
The Rector of the community, Fr. Firmin Kikoli, and Bro. Alonso Honorato were both hospitalized for treatment of the injuries they sustained during the attack. The doctors have confirmed that their injuries are not life threatening.
Fr. Kikoli himself reported what had happened in Goma in a phone call he made from the hospital to Fr. Guillermo Basañes, Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region.
In a note to the Information Agency of the Salesians (ANS), the Regional Councillor expressed his support for the Salesians of the ITIG community in Goma, and said: “We know how in recent times the Congregation, the Pope and the world have looked with compassion at the tragic situation of the people and the youngsters of Goma. Let us continue this network of closeness and solidarity asking the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire effective processes leading to justice and peace”.
The community of the Industrial Technical Institute in Goma was the first Salesian foundation in the city. Now, it is at the heart of a great crisis. Opened in 1981, the Saint John Bosco Institute has a secondary school, a youth center and a variety of other pastoral activities.
At present, it is not known whether the incident was the work of common thieves or of a rebel group. Certainly the atmosphere of instability and insecurity in the city of Goma persists.
Ukraine – Presidential Honor Bestowed Upon Salesians
(Lviv) – Fr. Mykhaylo Chaban, Rector of Pokrova Childrens’ Home and Blessed Philip Rinaldi Salesian Community in Lviv, has been awarded the Honor of the Third Degree by the President of the Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko. The President of the Region of Lviv, Dr. Mykola Kmit presented the award to Fr. Chaban during a ceremony on December 12, 2008.
The Honor was presented in recognition of the work carried out by the Salesians of the Byzantine-Ukraine Rite Delegation of the Special East Europe Circumscription on behalf of poor and needy youngsters who are homeless.
Mozambique – The Vice Province Celebrates
(Maputo) – The members of the Mary Help of Christians Vice Province of Mozambique gathered together during the weekend of December 14-16, 2008 to honor the confreres there who were celebrating the 50th and the 60th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood and to witness the religious profession of some Salesians in the Vice Province. The anniversaries were solemnly commemorated at Mass on December 14th. A youth gathering focused on vocations followed.
The Annual Assembly of the Confreres took place December 15th-16th. During the deliberations the confreres stressed the need for vocational accompaniment and formulated the pastoral plan of the Vice Province for the next five years.
Slovenia – An exhibition of Creches
(Verzej) – Among the initiatives for the liturgical season of Advent promoted by the Salesians in Slovenia was a national exhibition of creches.
The exhibition was set up in the Craft Center in Verzej, and included over sixty creches from all over Slovenia. A large number of State Elementary Schools and other State and Private Schools participated in the display. The preparation of the cribs by the youngsters in the state schools was an opportunity to present and reflect on the mystery of Christmas that would not have been possible otherwise.
The exhibition opened on December 5, 2008 and was presided over by the Mayor of Verzej, Mayors from neighboring towns, Bishop Marjan Turnšek, of the diocese of Murska Sabota, and the President of the National Association of Creche makers, Dr. Leopold Grcar. There were over two hundred people at the opening ceremony, including children from the Verzej nursery school.
Dr. Grcar, a noted creche expert in Slovenia, pointed out that the efforts of the Salesians to promote local culture also gave new life to the faith by presenting a different kind of catechism to the youngsters, helping them to discover values through crafts.
Mongolia
(Ulaan Bataar) – In a Christmas letter to Fr. Pascual Chávez, Rector Major of the Salesians, Bishop Wenceslao Padilla, Prefect Apostolic of Ulaan Bataar, expressed his gratitude to the Salesian Congregation for the work of evangelization carried out by the Salesians of Don Bosco in Mongolia. He also expressed his desire to see the Church expand in that country.
In his letter, Bishop Padilla noted some recent significant events n the life of the Catholic community in Mongolia during 2008. Among these, he noted the visit of a group of university students from South Korea and Taiwan. The students participated in summer activities and voluntary service organized by the local Church on behalf of the children and young people. This was a follow up to some work done by doctors from the same countries. The doctors had provided free care for the poor people living in the area where the missionaries are ministering.
The Prefect Apostolic also spoke of his joy about the significant and happy occasion of the Baptism of 100 new Mongol faithful who have given new vitality to the parish communities in Mongolia.
Bishop Padilla also highlighted the entry into the seminary of Daejon (South Korea), of the first student for the priesthood who is of Mongolian ancestry. He expressed his joy with this fruit of their 16 years of Catholic Missionary service in the country. The twenty one year old man hails from Enkh Baatar. In the summer of 2008, he graduated from the International University of Ulaan Bataar with a degree in Biotechnology. His vocational discernment was guided by the Religious of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), the administrators of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.
At the end of his letter, Bishop Padilla mentioned some of the challenges that the local church wants to address in the coming year. Among these are the promotion of new local vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and the building of the first Catholic School. The Mongolian Christian faithful will face these challenges the Prefect Apostolic of Ulaan Bataar wrote in his letter to the Rector Major, “with the help of God, of you, and other dear friends.”
Mexico – For the benefit of the young
(Ciudad Juárez) – On December 2, 2008, an agreement was signed between the Salesians and the Technological Institute for Higher Studies in Monterrey (ITESM) to collaborate in helping the young people in the Salesian Oratories in Ciudad Juárez.
According to the agreement, a Social Incubator will be developed and overseen by the Institute for Sustainable Social Development (IDeSS) of ITESM. It will make information about human, social, and economic development available to the Salesians so that they can respond most effectively to the needs of the young living in poverty.
The Salesian Social Incubator will also give its members access to educational programs in the use of technology, English language acquisition, and a virtual library. An on-line school program for middle and high school courses will also be available.
The project will promote small business enterprises, encouraging the youngsters to develop the basic skills required for the world of work. They will be taught how to prepare a business plan; how to access microcredit funding; and how to make contacts with stores that can serve as outlets for the goods they make.
The areas covered by the Social Incubator are: building construction, administration, home economics, accounting, legal assistance, health and nutrition, and the management of resources.
Ciudad Juárez is a city that borders the United States, and is one of the cities of Mexico most affected by violence and gang warfare. The Salesians conduct three Youth Centers (Oratories) there.
Poland – Collaboration between Salesian Voluntary Service and the Foreign Ministry
(Warsaw) – On Wednesday, December 3, 2008, Don Bosco International Voluntary Service and the Polish Foreign Ministry announced a collaborative project to help young people.
The initiative was undertaken in observance of the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development held on December 5, 2008, and the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th.
Don Bosco International Voluntary Service is one of the main departments of the Salesian Missionary Center in Warsaw. In 2008, the Office established a strong relationship with the Polish Foreign Ministry. Of the 11 ongoing projects of the Salesian Center in Warsaw four have been financed by the Foreign Ministry. They are: Ulan Bator in Mongolia, Hwange in Zimbabwe, Namugongo in Uganda and Lusaka in Zambia. The four projects assist street children and the poor.
In speaking of the collaboration, the representative of the Foreign Ministry expressed his appreciation for the Salesian Volunteers and the work they carry out. Afterwards, two Volunteers who have been working in Mongolia and in Uganda, spoke about their experiences. Fr. Rafalko thanked the Ministry for the collaboration that has begun and pointed out that it would make it possible for many generous young people to devote a part of their lives in the service of street children.
In 2008, Don Bosco International Voluntary Service commissioned 19 Volunteers for a minimum one year commitment and 32 for a period of one to three months.
Rwanda – The joy of being with Don Bosco
(Kabgayi) – The new Salesian Oratory Don Bosco-Stade Nyirimana Anaclet, was opened and entrusted to the pastoral care of the Salesian community of the postnovitiate in Kabgayi on December 7, 2009.
Fr. Innocent Gatete, Delegate for Youth Ministry in the Vice Province of Africa, the Great Lakes (AGL) presided at the opening liturgy that was attended by a number of young people, their parents, and the young Salesian postnovices.
At the end of the Mass, the youngsters played soccer and volley-ball and and then displayed their talent on stage, performing traditional and modern dances and reciting poetry.
Gatete and Fr. Camiel Swertvagher, Rector of the house, spoke about the importance that the oratory had for Don Bosco in giving the boys a place that is a home that welcomes, a parish that evangelizes, a school that prepares for life and a play ground where friends can meet and enjoy themselves.
The name of the oratory, Don Bosco-Stade Nyrimana Anaclet, is a dedication to the memory of a young Salesian postnovice who was struck by lightning while visiting his parents in 2007.
Vatican – A new Servant of God for the Salesian Family
(Vatican City) – The Congregation for the Causes of Saints issued the nullaosta regarding the process for the beatification of Fr. Andrej Majcen SDB, missionary and confessor. The nullaosta of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints makes Fr. Andrej Majcen the 29th Servant of God in the Salesian Family.
The Cause for beatification and sanctification has been promoted by the Salesians of the Provinces of Slovenia and of Vietnam. There are many still alive who knew Fr. Majcen and they attest to the exemplary nature of his Christian and Salesian life. Many of the faithful have also expressed their conviction about the holiness of Fr. Majcen. There are reports of many visiting his grave and praying for his intercession.
Fr. Andrej Majcen (1904-1999) was a missionary in China and in Vietnam (1935-1979). He returned to Slovenia, and served as a confessor until he died. His ministry included forty four years as a missionary and twenty of missionary promotion in Slovenia. His reflections and meditation, collected in his diaries (more than 6000 hand-written pages), are the expression of a profound Christian life and a personal striving for spiritual growth.
Italy – An Apartment (Flat) for Everyone
(Turin) – During a Press Conference held in Turin on December 9, 2008, the program Flats Together, was introduced and inaugurated. It is a novel housing program for people with special needs such as the elderly, single mothers with children, and young people.
The project and the management of the building housing the flats (apartments) has been entrusted to the Local Salesian Youth Association (AGS) which brings together nearly all the Oratories and Youth Centers of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Piedmont. The AGS, won the competition for the contract to manage the block of flats, and they will have the task of educating, assessing, and supporting the people who are given flats They hope to help the people become totally self-sufficient. “The emphasis is on the family, from grandparents to grandchildren,” explained the President of AGS, Fr. Alberto Martelli, Delegate for Youth Ministry in the Special Circumscription of Piedmont and the Val d’Aosta (ICP). A family community to help the children grew together. A social mix not only of Italians but also of foreigners, and of people from different religions.”
The Flats Together building has four floors with 30 small apartments. There are also recreational facilities for people living on pensions, young people, mothers with young children, single women; a place where different generations can live together.
The program seeks to reduce outside help to a minimum, empowering the residents to take part in the management of the block. It is hoped that in assuming this shared responsibility there will be a decrease in conflict leading to growth and development. Saint Paul’s Company, begun in 2006 to respond to the housing needs of socially and economically vulnereable people seeking temporary solutions to their struggles, is a partner in the project through its Housing Program.
“It is an opportunity to start up something new in the Province and to help local families. Additionally, it allowed members of the Salesian Family, especially Cooperators and Past Pupils to assist those who were struggling for housing. The Salesian Family members could not dedicate the time that would be needed to open a form of daily living or family homes. Fr. Martelli added. “It was due to the family spirit, a special Salesian characteristic, that we were given the contract.
Mexico – 25 Years of Theological Formation
(Tlaquepaque) – On December 8, 2008, the Salesian Theological Institute (ITS) in Tlaquepaque, Mexico, celebrated its Silver Anniversary. It had been founded on December 8, 1983 by Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva, now the Rector Major of the Salesians.
The event was celebrated by the entire educative community of the ITS: Salesian students of Theology from the Provinces of Mexico-Guadalajara (MEG), Mexico-México (MEM) and the Antilles (ANT); male and female religious from various Insitutes of Consecrated Life; and the laity seeking theological formation.
Bishop Rafael Martínez,auxiliary bishop of Guadalajara presided at the mass of Thanksgiving. Fr. Eduardo Lara, Rector of the ITS, spoke of the founding of the center of studies, emphasizing that it was intentionally established in the working class district of San Javier, to help Theology come face to face with the daily life of the Christian people. A commemorative plaque and a bust of the Rector Major were unveiled in honor of the 25th Anniversary. The celebrations ended with a meeting with all of the students to outline plans for the future of Institute and to solicit suggestions to make it have a stronger impact on the Church and society.
Democratic Republic of the Congo – Salesian outreach continues despite instability
(Goma) – There continues to be social unrest and the threat of violence in the volatile country country… yet the Don Bosco Center continues Goma-Ngangi in coping with new arrivals and providing for their needs continue.
The breakdown in negotiations will certainly have repercussions on life in Goma, but the full extent of this impact is dependent upon the length of time the talks are at a standstill. Street vendors have started up their work, contributing to an atmosphere of apparent normality. However, the faces of the people betray their sadness and their uncertainty about the future.
At Don Bosco Center in Goma-Ngangi there are 1,500 refugees, mainly women and many children. The training and recreational activities of the Center are continuing as normally as possible given the threat of violence all around. Four Salesians, and seven volunteers from the Salesian Inspired NGO VIS and other helpers from the area are making sure that the children are well taken care of. In an attempt to put some order and routine in the life of the refugees, the Salesians have now opened an afternoon school for them.
In the Salesian health center there are now only 5 who are still quite sick sick with cholera. This is a great sign of hope for the Salesians since they have successfully treated an additional 265 children with cholera during the emergency of these recent weeks. The local health organization is extremely grateful to the Salesians for the work they are doing in the health center because their own resources are already incredibly stretched, and the youngsters would probalbly die without this care.
South Africa - Educating Young People in Human Rights
(Johannesburg) -Thirty Salesians, representatives from NGOs, and experts in Human Rights Approaches met at Bosco House in Johannesburg-Walkerville South Africa, November 25-28, 2008 to discuss Educating in Human Rights in Salesian Contexts.
The Seminar was prepared by Don Bosco Jugend Dritte Welt, Bonn,Germany and the Development Office of the Salesian Province of South Africa, in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. African and European Participants reflected on the needs of the young in Africa in Educating Young People in Human Rights. Salesians from 14 African countries, and their partners, have committed themselves to developing a program to integrate education in Human Rights in Salesian youth centers, schools and professional training centers. A special empahasis will be placed on developing a strategy for advocating for the rights of children and youth.
“The main cause of all Human Rights violation is the lack of education” stated the Mission Procurator of Germany, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, S.D.B.. “Salesians have to educate in Human Rights as a method of empowering the young and for building a society observing the rights of the young,” he said.
Representatives from several Development Offices presented a Human Rights approach to development. “There is a need to emphasize a Human Rights Approach to development in order to qualitatively change an area. It will promote the active participation of target groups in the projects and create a deeper sense of co-responsibility,” Carola Carazzone of VIS said.
The seminar allowed members of the Salesian Family to share ideas among themselves and with decision makers in South African governments and representatives of Grass Root Organizations working for Human Rights.
The seminar prepared a contribution from Africa for the Seminar The Preventive System and Human Rights held at the Salesian Generalate in Rome, January 2-6, 2009.
Angola – The value of athletics
(Viana) – Dominic Savio House in Viana hosted the Ist InterCampus Angola Sports Competition, November 21-30, 2008. The event was a collaborative effort of Polidesportivo Don Bosco in Luanda and Inter Campus, a soccer training program aimed at social development that is promoted by Inter the leading Italian Soccer Club.
Massimo Seregni, director of Inter Campus and Alberto Giacobini, a coach with Inter, came from Milan, Italy and worked with Stefano Francesco Tollu, S.D.B. to organize a residential training program for youngsters coming from the Lixeira and San Paolo districts in Luanda. Eighty youngsters, aged 9-12, 14 teacher/coaches and 2 youth leaders from the Oratory took part in the strenuous theoretical and practical course in various areas of sport, especially soccer.
“The course was not easy, and it helped us improve the quality of our teacher/coaches,” wrote the young Salesian Stefano Francesco Toll. “The ability to concentrate and the attention span of our youngsters is often very low and needs to increase a lot. Coach Alberto was very good and understanding in dealing with the boys. He took a Salesian approach to his work, starting at the level of the youngsters and then helping them improve.” During the year there will be follow-up sessions to keep the skills acquired at a high level.
The initial difficulties in getting the children from the Lixeira and San Paolo districts to mix, due to their different social backgrounds, were gradually overcome. “For us, sport is a means for creating a social mix. We are happy to have seen its value and effectiveness confirmed again,” said Francesco Tollu. In addition to the training sessions, the youngsters were also involved in other activities: theater, meetings, movies, and the first Soccer Tournament as part of Inter Campus Angola.
Spain – Agreement between the Salesians and the FIAT Group
(Madrid) – On December 2, 2008, the Fiat Automobile Group and the Salesians in Spain signed an agreement of collaboration for the exchange of technology and materials. This will provide for the teaching and training of students, instructors and workers in the Salesian Vocational Training Centers (FPE) and provide for certification in auto mechanics with the Italian company.
Due to this agreement, over 1,500 students in the 19 Salesian Vocational Training Centers in Spain will begin basic training in the theory of auto mechanics. Additionally, one hundred students at a time will participate in practical training and experience in various factories and shops of the FIAT Group in Spain.
According to Mauro Veglia, from Customer Service of Fiat Auto, the program will provide the young people with “special opportunities through the training and practical experience offered in their network of work-shops.” Pointing out the sense of social responsibility of FIAT, Mr. Veglia remarked that it was in the interest of the two parties in the agreement “to form men not only as technicians and professionals but especially as well-rounded individuals”.
Fr. Luis Onrubia, Provincial of Madrid, spoke of the special interest the Salesians had in the Professional Training of 13,000 young people in 41 educational centers with different technical specializations. He said, “We are happy that FIAT continues to recognise the quality of the education offered by the Salesians.”
Collaboration between the Salesians and Fiat at international level began in October of 2007 in Italy. Under the general title Tech Pro 2, the initiative will soon be extended to other countries in Europe and Latin America.
El Salvador – The Fifth Congress of Salesian Technical Schools
(San Salvador) – The coordinators of the Fifth Central American Congress of Technical Schools and Vocational Training Centers have posted the documents of the Congress on their website. All of the presentations delivered by experts in the fields of education and professional training, coming from Spain, Mexico, and Central America are available.
The Congress was attended by 108 people including senior staff, scholastic and technical coordinators, instructors and teachers in the Salesian centers. Additionally, officials from the Ministry of Education and from the El Salvador Institute for Vocational Training participated in the Congress.
The event was an expression of the efforts of the Salesians in Central America to provide a relevant and effective response to the needs of the young, especially those who are more disadvantaged, and to contribute to the development of the countries in the region.
The Congress provided an opportunity to analyze the concepts involved in the application of quality control systems at an International level in the area of professional training, and identifying the impact of their application or lack of it in the region.
The Salesians are providing technical education in six countries in Central America through a University, six technical schools and seven vocational training centers.
Italy – The Preventive System and Human Rights
(Rome) – On January 2-6 2009, the Congress of The Preventive System and Human Rights was held at the Generalate of the Salesians. The Congress is sponsored by the Youth Ministry Department of the Salesian Congregation and organized by VIS – International Voluntary Service for Development.
The Congress is the culmination of a year long process during which the Salesian Congregation studied the Preventive System, the educational heritage left it by Don Bosco, in light of the promotion of Human Rights. The starting point of the study was the Strenna of the Rector Major for 2008. He indicated that the language of human rights enables the Salesian educational system to dialog with and find its place among the different cultures of the world.
This event will be the launch of a new cultural formation within the Congregation about its relationship to civil society. It seeks to provide young people with the knowledge and means they need to grow as active citizens. Additionally, it is hoped that the entire congregation will become active in Human rights promotion at local and regional levels in the 92 Salesian Provinces and Vice Provinces in the 126 countries where the Salesians minister.
Poland – Two Congresses on Cardinal August Hlond
(Lublin) – Two important congresses, one national and the other international, concluded at the end of November, 2008. The previous year had been dedicated to the memory of the Servant of God Cardinal August Hlond, S.D.B., in honor of the 60th anniversary of his death.
The speakers for the national congress were: Prof. Stanis?aw Wilk, Rector Magnificus of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Prof. Bernard Ko?odziej, from the University of Pozna?, Prof. Wojciech Necel and Prof. Jerzy Bajda, from the University of Warsaw, Prof. Stanis?aw Zimniak from the Salesian Historical Institute in Rome and Jerzy Marlewski, a journalist from Warsaw.
The congress was organized by lay people from the Civitas Cristiana Catholic Association in Danzig, and the Cardinal August Hlond Catholic Action in Rumia. An exhibition of some of the vestments of the Servant of God used was also on display.
The John Paul II Catholic University in Lublin organized a second event held on November 18, 2008. In the course of the international seminar, the Academic Senate of the University awarded a medal to the Society of Christ for the efforts made in spreading awareness of and gathering support for the Catholic Center of Studies.
Fr. Enrico dal Covolo, lecturer at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome and Postulator General of the Salesian Society gave a talk - “Tu es Petrus. The Servant of God Cardinal August Hlond and his relationship with the Holy See” – in which he analyzed the theological and patristic foundations of the teaching of Cardinal Hlond. Other speakers included Prof. Stanis?aw Wilk and Prof. Janusz Walkusz. Prof. Stanis?aw Zimniak spoke about Cardinal Hlond’s preoccupation, expressed in a pastoral letter of 1936, concerning the great danger from the spreading of a materialistic view of man, which later would have led to the tragedy of the Second World War and the Jewish holocaust.
Bishop Stanis?aw Stefanek of ?om?a and spiritual son of Cardinal Hlond, presided at Mass during which prayers were said for the beatification of the Servant of God. The Mass was concelebrated by about fifty priests, religious and diocesan.
Croatia – Meeting of European Salesian Schools Coordinating Consultative Committee
(Zagreb) – The members of the European Salesian Schools Coordinating Consultative Committee met in the Croatian capital of Zagreb, November 25-27, 2008, to examine the dialog between faith, culture, and school life. The group had representatives of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians who reflected on the main challenges facing Salesian schools in Europe. The focus of the meeting was on identifying the profile of the Salesian educator and on various ways of approaching the question of dialog between faith-culture-life in school.
Twenty five people took part in the meeting, including representatives of schools from Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Portugal, Croatia, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and Ireland and members of the Youth Ministry Departments from the Salesians and the FMAs together with the President and the Secretary of Don Bosco International.
The guidelines on the importance of the school which emerged in the meeting of Provincials in view of the Project for Europe held in Rome the previous weekend were taken up with the encouragement to double their efforts to make the Salesian school something really significant and evangelising.
Italy – Haiti calling
(Rome) – The Don Bosco in the World Foundation began its second solidarity campaign of 2008 for the street children in Port au Prince. Haiti Calling will benefit from the Christmas Concert produced by Prime Time Promotions and held in the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona. For the second year, the concert will be broadcast on Christmas Eve on RAIDUE, the second Italian State TV Channel. The solidarity campaign will run December 24-28, 2008.
During the Press Conference introducing the Concert, on December 5th, Fr. Esteban Ortiz, Councillor for the Interamerica Region, described the work the Salesians are doing in Haiti and in particular with thes street children project in Port au Prince.
During the meeting with the journalists, Paolo Carmignani, representing RAIDUE, expressed his joy at collaborating with the Salesians on this project. The African singer Angelique Kidjo was enthusiastic being a part in an event on behalf of the Salesians. She said, “The Salesians are really great and dedicated to their work.” The singer is familiar with the work of the Salesians. She has been involved with fundraising activities for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians on behalf of street girls in Benin.
More information on the Haiti project is available on the website of Don Bosco in the World: www.donbosconelmondo.org
Back to Salesian World News » |
