Don Bosco Today Year 110 Issue 2

Don Bosco Today - Summer 2002


Contents


Editorial


Centenary Celebration of the Salesian Sisters in Britain


Mother Antonia's Greeting to the Vides/Leaders Group


Let's Celebrate Friends Like These


Two Young Lives have changed the World


Shattered windscreen, shattered dreams


Living in the Holy Land: a personal comment


Life from a whole new perspective


DON BOSCO AND THE QUR'AN


Reflection - The Ministry of Welcome


Fr Joe Davie SDB 1931 - 2002


Brother Joe Carter 1924 - 2002


Editorial


In this edition of 'Don Bosco Today' we celebrate the centenary of the arrival of Salesian Sisters in this


country. The celebrations to mark this event have been a source of inspiration and encouragement to all of


us. We were particularly blessed by the presence of Mother Antonia Colombo Superior General of the


FMA. I am sure all readers will find her words at Liverpool a source of great encouragement.


Over the last few months we have been concerned about the Middle East. We were all appalled by the


tragedy of the suicide bombings and the tragedy of the invasion of Palestine. In particular we thought of


the people besieged in the Church of the Nativity. Listening to the news from Bethlehem each day I


wondered what it was like for the Salesians who work in Bethlehem and their pupils growing up with so


much violence. I had emailed Fr Peter Carr who is presently studying in Jerusalem to ask for news of


Bethlehem, and he had replied that as things were in Israel there was absolutely no way he could contact


the Salesians in Bethlehem because the borders were closed. Were we also cut off from Bethlehem? I tried


the phone. Imagine my surprise when the Headteacher of our technical school in Bethlehem, Fr Eraldo


Vacca, answered the phone. He reassured me that the Salesians were safe and told me that on Easter


Sunday about 30 Palestinian gunmen had entered the Salesian Technical School with the intention of


making a stand there. The Salesians sat down with them and spent four hours talking to them persuading


them to leave. Eventually they agreed to go.


The next four to five weeks were extremely difficult for the people and children of Bethlehem. There was


a strict curfew and they were only allowed out for a few hours each day to find food. I asked Fr Eraldo


about the famous Salesian bakery. It is a rather legendary place in Salesian tradition because the Salesians


have been baking bread there for over 100 years and throughout those years it has been the main source


of income for the school since most of the children are too poor to pay the fees. Fr Eraldo told me that the


bakery has been especially busy during the troubled weeks of occupation since so many people needed


feeding. I asked how much bread they baked each day. He said that recently they had baked about 3000


loaves a day and much of this had been given to the poor people who couldn't buy food. The technical


school normally has about 175 students but the school was closed during the invasion. The irony is that


when qualified a good number of the young people have to get jobs working in Israel, commuting every


day across borders manned by Israeli soldiers.


One of the blessings of modern communication is that we can be in direct contact with our fellow


Salesians in the most remote parts of the world, share the story of their sufferings and by our prayers and


offerings help them.


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Tony Bailey


Centenary Celebration of the Salesian Sisters in Britain


Greeting to the Salesian Family - Liverpool Cathedral


Liverpool, 12th May, 2002


Your Grace, my brothers and sisters of the


Salesian Family, friends and young people, it


is appropriate that I greet you at the end of


this magnificent Eucharistic Celebration


because Eucharist means thanksgiving! We


give thanks and praise to God who willed


that the salesian charism should take root on


British soil one hundred years ago. The


entire Institute rejoices with you today, and,


in the name of the members of the Salesian


Family throughout the world, I wish to


express my gratitude for your fidelity in the


course of a century. May the twelve


missionary sisters, who arrived in Battersea


on the seventh of April nineteen hundred and two, intercede for us so that the charism may continue to


flourish in this land, so dear to the hearts of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.


Today we are called to offer hope in a different, but equally promising future. This is a difficult challenge,


yet together, we can face it because our hope is rooted in the Risen Jesus, in young people themselves and


in the mission entrusted to us. The Salesian Family is Worldwide! The charism is now known and lived in


89 countries. When this Province was formed we were present in 18 countries. We are like a great tree -


roots, trunk, branches, leaves and fruit! Every branch has a specific contribution to offer, but the real


challenge lies in 'togetherness'. The 'Mission Statement' for the Salesian Family recalls the importance of


being formed together as Salesians, laity, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and young people. We need to network


among ourselves, as well as with other organisations, so as to make an impact in the Church and in


society, coordinating our efforts for the good of young people.


Unfortunately, we too are experiencing the devastating effects of injustice and war in many countries


where we work. The pain and suffering of any one nation is keenly felt by all of us, simply because we are


a Family. This situation calls us to be 'active citizens', who give witness to the Good News of Jesus. We are


called to go against the current, ready to pay with our lives, if need be, for peace and justice in our nation


and in the world at large. Yesterday evening, I met a group of enthusiastic young people. I appealed to


them to be aware of exaggerated consumerism, knowing that many of our brothers and sisters in other


parts of the world are living in conditions of misery. In our own continent we are also suffering from many


aspects of poverty. Here again, 'Gospel Citizenship' urges us to live spiritual lives where God is truly at the


centre. It is necessary to cultivate a spirit of prayer, deepen the Word of God and live according to the


Beatitudes.


I invite you to continue your Christian journey, drawing up new road maps that will take you in the


direction of Active Gospel Citizenship! In the words of Don Bosco, the challenge is that we be 'good


Christians and honest citizens', a phrase that was later interpreted as 'good citizens because we are honest


Christians'. Are we ready to take up this challenge that could make a significant change in this Nation?


Thank you most sincerely for giving me the opportunity to address you. God bless you all!


Mother Antonia Colombo


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Superior General of the FMA


Mother Antonia's Greeting to the Vides/Leaders Group


God's dream for you, at the beginning of the new century, is that you


be 'salt of the earth and light of the World'. This is the message that the


Holy Father offers to all young people, in preparation for the 17th


World Youth Day in Toronto. Jesus refers to you as salt of the earth


and light of the World! He tells you to let your light shine before


others and I believe that this is what you are trying to do. This is surely


something worthwhile to dream about, an adventure to pursue. God's


love is pure gift. 'Freely, freely, you have received' is a line in one of


your hymns.


God has gifted every human person with the wonder of creation. We


too then are encouraged, invited, to live God's dream by giving


ourselves as gift to others; here I quote the other line of the same


hymn: 'freely, freely give'.


I am aware that as 'Vides U.K.' you have been dedicating your summer


holidays, over a number of years, to running camps in poor areas. One


of your primary tasks has been that of training leaders who can carry on the work of Vides when you


move on to another needy area. Congratulations because this, indeed, is the way forward. I also heard that


some of you had an experience of voluntary service in Africa. They tell me that, with a real sense of


responsibility, you prepared an excellent educational project. Not only this, but I understand that you


welcomed the gifts and values of African culture as well as sharing something of your own culture with


African youth.


All this tells us that it is possible to be Christians today! A few weeks ago I heard the brief testimony of


Mauro and Monica, two young Italians. They came to know one another in a Parish youth group. As time


went by they decided to become engaged and to dream of their future. (Incidentally, they will be married


in September.) Here are the exact words of Mauro: "Thanks to prayer and to the good spirit in the youth


group, we have understood what it means to love each other in an unselfish way. Neither of us intends to


'possess' the other, but rather to be a gift one to the other. In this way we believe that deep happiness will


follow as well as the ability to cope with whatever each day brings. Now we dream of having a family and


teaching our children, through love and example, that God is gift." Maybe there is a question here! Are we


too dreaming about where we want to go as individuals, as couples, as a group? It is important, especially


for you young people, to plan the direction of your lives and this cannot be done without prayer.


The challenge is that of being gospel citizens in Europe! Our continent, with your help, needs to open its


doors to other cultures and citizens in a world that cries out for justice. The gospel challenges us to look to


God in order to nourish our dreams; it also helps us to keep our feet on the ground, so that our dreams


become reality. How can we be gospel citizens, I can hear you ask? My reply is: make efforts to assume a


simple lifestyle by battling against exaggerated consumerism, limiting needs of goods that many of our


brothers and sisters can never possess. I also invite you to live spiritual lives, especially those of you


already in the Vides U.K. Like every other association in the Salesian Family, you are part of a whole, the


Salesian Youth Movement Worldwide. We need each other in our Family.


Thank you so much for inviting me to be with you on this occasion. It is always a joy and privilege to


address young people because you are at the heart of all we think, say and do.


Let me conclude with the words of John Paul II to young people throughout the world because his words


sum-up what I have tried to share with you: "Read the Gospel, personally, and in groups, meditate on it


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and live it. The gospel is the living word of Jesus who enables us to know the infinite, love of God."


May your dream be your life's adventure! Salt of the earth, light of the world! God bless!


Let's Celebrate Friends Like These


FMA Centenary 1902 - 2002


This was the title chosen for the Centenary Celebration at Milnthorpe, near Kendal on Saturday April 20th


2002. The Centenary of the Salesian Sisters in this country, what better way to celebrate a centenary than


to celebrate friends. And the friends came, from all over the country. The celebrations began with a


pageant in the school hall. It retraced the story of the young woman, Mary Mazzarello, brought up in the


remote Italian mountain Village of Mornese. It movingly portrayed the slow awakening of her vocation as


she felt called from her obscurity to answer the needs of so many poor girls crying out for help. The


music, the action and the colour of the pageant caught the vibrancy of God's call in her life and the sheer


enthusiasm of her response. We felt the magnetism which attracted so many other young women to rally


round Mary Mazzarello to form the beginnings of the Salesian Sisters, the Daughters of Mary Help of


Christians. The sight of today's young girls dressed in the traditional habits of the Salesian sisters of the


19th century, every bit as dynamic as the modern Salesian Sisters of today. And everywhere, on the stage,


and running up and down the aisle there were the young people of today enjoying their re-enactment of


the Salesian Story. The pageant was an injection of energy into the day as it recalled the past it caught the


enthusiasm so characteristic of the Salesian Sisters of today. The day continued in typical salesian family


style with packed lunches on the lawns of the school, a chance for friends to meet old friends in a truly


eucharistic picnic.


After lunch there was an opportunity for presentations of the work of the Salesian Sisters in the province


today. These presentations were in the form of displays in the community centre and live presentations in


the local Catholic Church.


But what about the theme for the day, Lets celebrate friends like these? My immediate understanding of


this theme was as a reference to the many Salesian Sisters present on the day. These were so obviously the


much appreciated friends of the many members of the Salesians Family flocking round them. The warmth


of that friendship was so evident. A friendship which had begun in many cases years ago in school, in


parish, or in youth club with children befriended in the playground. The child made to feel special in the


eyes of this sister who understood, or the young girl pushed by another sister to succeed beyond her


dreams. A friendship which had been nurtured beyond childhood in letters exchanged or postcards hastily


written, in long hours of listening and drying tears. A friendship displayed in the joy shown and shared in a


friend's success. The ever present smile of welcome for the pupil returned, now a proud mother or even a


grandmother.


The pageant in the hall was so moving: but for me there was a more impressive pageant played out for the


rest of the day as the Sisters were reunited with their friends. Grown women felt very much loved again as


they had been as children so many years ago. So welcome in the arms of sisters they loved. A hundred


years of educating friendship! Well worth celebrating!


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Tony Bailey SDB


Two Young Lives have changed the World


On 24 February 2002 our children Rebecca (age 18) and Matthew (age 16) Rossiter died after their car


was in collision with a Mercedes camper at the foot of the High Cross Inn in Broughton-in-Furness


Cumbria. Rebecca died at the scene. Matthew died a week later in Salford's Hope Hospital intensive care


unit. Dean, Rebecca's 17-year-old boyfriend, who was a front seat passenger, survived with minor injuries.


As parents, Mandy and I do not feel angry, for the two of them have changed the world and have touched


so many people in so many different ways. Since the accident we have experienced nothing but love and


support. This could never be described as a tragic waste of young lives since Rebecca and Matthew have


achieved so much and brought joy to so many. It is not length of life that is important but what is done


during one's life that counts.


The effect on the community was remarkable as evidenced by the attendance at the funeral at Our Lady


and St James Millom where some 600 people gathered in the Church and a further 200 stood outside in


the sunshine to pay their respects and celebrate Rebecca and Matthew's lives. Indeed the love of this


community was clear during the week Mandy and I spent in intensive care with Matthew. We felt it


flowing down the M6 motorway from Cumbria to Manchester. We have received over 700 cards and


Masses are being said across the country for them. Mandy teaches at Haverigg Prison and I am a Prison


Governor. Not only did prison officers act as bearers for the funeral we received flowers and cards from


both individual and groups of prisoners and they have also made financial donations.


Rebecca Marie Therese was born at 23.50 hours on Saturday 12 November 1983 in


Wordsley Dudley west Midlands. The night she was born was the most wonderful


night of our lives and I must have been the most boring new dad for some


considerable time. Indeed the nursery nurse in the maternity unit had to prise


Rebecca out of my hands, as I could not bear to let her go. Mandy was trained as a


nursery nurse, and it was amusing to see the reactions of the maternity staff to a


new mother feeding and changing her firstborn in a matter of moments. Rebecca


was what one would call a good baby. She always had a big grin and was full of


vitality loving playgroup, nursery and then school.


Matthew Barry was also born on a Saturday, 22 December


1985, at 8.20 am in Beverly, East Yorkshire. This too was a joyous occasion as


Mandy and I were together with the midwife and the tape was playing the Moody


Blues' song 'In Search of a Lost Chord'. This was quite appropriate as Matthew in


contrast to his sister never slept and was awkward with his food. Life was always a


challenge to Matt, as he later liked to be called, he was happiest in muck and loved


to get to grips with things. Whenever I recounted Matt's latest episode my mother


would fondly remind me of the trying times I gave to her


In 1990 the children were faced with their biggest challenge when we moved to the


Lake District and settled in Foxfield, a small hamlet in Cumbria. Matt and Rebecca


amused their teachers back in St. John' RC primary school in Beverly by informing them that we had


bought a house with a free dog. This was true as during our house-hunting we fell in love with a Victorian


terraced house that had been a happy family home to thirteen children and one collie pup called Emma.


We proudly acquired house and dog together. So began a whole new chapter in our lives as Rebecca and


Matthew went to St James RC primary school in Millom, Cumbria some 10 miles from home across


mountain roads. Much to their chagrin they were often transported by one of their teachers until Matt


decided he was independent enough to take the train. They both led active lives with Rebecca being very


keen on horse-riding and Matt on sport and mountain bikes. They were both members of 5th Millom Scout


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Troop achieving their chief scout awards and enjoyed trips to France and Italy. Both won awards at the


South Cumbria Music Festival for singing and public speaking. Matthew gave a poetry rendition that was


astounding in terms of its delivery. He was disappointed when the judge from the Poets Society in London,


awarding him 100%, said she could envisage Matthew at the dispatch box in parliament. He said, "But I


want to be an airline pilot". They were both alter servers at the church of Our Lady and St. James. Fr.


Frank Osman, who was a close confidant, said Rebecca was the only girl to have ever invited a Catholic


priest to her 18th birthday party.


They both attended Ulverston Victoria High school where Matt was to sit GCSE exams this summer and


Rebecca left last year after GCSE's to continue her studies at Barrow 6th Form College. Rebecca had


attended the 'Take your daughters to work day' at HM Young Offenders Institution Lancaster Farms where


I was Deputy Governor and she was hoping to follow a career in the Probation Service. Matthew had


work experience in a training company in Barrow and was keen to work with computers. They both took


an active interest in current affairs debating fiercely the rights of the individual and fought for the


underdog. Rebecca became a volunteer with VIDES working in Glasgow and was due to work in


Newcastle this Easter. It was Rebecca's dream to go to Kenya next summer.


Rebecca always had a smile and a kind word for adults and children. As Fairy Splint Spark in the local


amateur dramatic pantomime she was amazing. Her 18th in November 2001 was a party to remember


especially for dad, I picked up an enormous bar bill. She had a gift of knowing just how to bring happiness


and was most loved by Dean her boyfriend who on Valentine's Day bought her 20 red roses. She passed


her driving test only a few weeks before the accident and was about to take delivery of a new car I had


ordered for her that week.


Matthew was a real campaigner for social justice. At primary school he was the only child to have argued


with the Head, Maureen Hughes. She admits he sometimes won but was never cheeky. Matthew's favorite


words were "It's not fair... I think it should be done this way". Matthew was always trying to save the


world. From his earliest days it was said of Matt that he could hold a mature conversation well above his


years. He had a wonderful and mischievous sense of humor. His teachers found him a challenge but a


delight, as he was never one to do harm. This was a young man who broke hearts in love affairs as he was


getting to grips with life.


Rebecca and Matthew will always be with us. We consider ourselves blessed to have had the privilege of


being their parents. We will send both of them to Africa to continue their drive for good as a fund has


been established. 'The Rebecca and Matthew Rossiter Memorial Fund' has been set up with Natwest Bank


for the sole purpose of providing a facility such as a schoolroom in Africa and to progress the work of


VIDES promoting development.


If you would like to assist donations can be made to the Rebecca and Matthew Rossiter Memorial Fund to


Sister Connie, Salesian Sisters, VIDES, 61A Mansion Drive, Croxteth Liverpool L11 9DP.


Barry Rossiter 7 May, 2002


'Vides' is a non-governmental organisation that operates at a national and international level. VIDES UK is


a registered charity no. 1015097.It promotes projects that help development. It offers voluntary service


for young people; its projects vary but may include teaching, working in dispensaries, outreach work or


working with street children.


Shattered windscreen, shattered dreams


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Violence may seem to reign supreme


Be blinded by sad scenes of strife


Or see blue sky, find signs of life.


Living in the Holy Land: a personal comment


'Arafat must do more to curb terrorism.' 'Arafat is the father of all terrorism.'


These two messages from President Bush on the one hand, and Prime Minister


Sharon on the other have been ringing round the world for the past few months.


When you are living in Israel, albeit temporarily, such statements make you feel


near to despair and anger. Despair at the one-sided approach of Bush to the


sickening events happening in the Holy Land. Anger at the self righteous,


arrogant posturing of Sharon, who himself was once forced out of office for


overseeing terrorist-like massacres in the Lebanese refugee camps.


Such statements also make you ask the question, "Who really are the terrorists


in the present conflict in the Holy Land?" I think the question is not unlike


"Who were the terrorists" - even though the term may not have been used - "in


occupied France during World War II? The Nazis or the French Resistance?"


Let's try to be clear. The situation here is very complex and is the topic of


endless conversations here in the Holy Land. Arafat is no angel and no one can


have sympathy for the Islamic extremists and fundamentalists. Neither can one


condone suicide bombings in the cities of Israel or approve of the shooting of


Israeli civilians in their streets, cafes, homes and places of leisure. That is terrorism, for sure, But the State


of Israel fails to ask why much of it is happening. They see only the symptoms, and fail to ask, or don't


want to acknowledge, what is the root cause. It is happening because of their own brand of vicious State


Terrorism against the Palestinian population, ordinary, innocent civilians for the most part. It is happening


because the Palestinians are a frustrated people without hope and who are faced with F16 war-planes,


tanks and helicopter gun-ships. The Zionists have deprived hundreds of thousands of them of their land,


their homes and their livelihood since 1948 and the Israeli government continues to take their land for


Jewish settlements.


The crux of the matter is the continued occupation of the Palestinian areas by the military, the Israeli


settlements on their land, and the check-points. The Palestinian towns are like large prisons holding the


whole population inside, for although the army says it 'withdraws', the tanks stay outside preventing free


movement. Archbishop Tutu, in a recent article in the Guardian newspaper, compared the situation here to


the days of apartheid in South Africa. Sharon's so called latest peace plan is to build an electronic fence


and dig ditches down the length of the country so as to keep the Palestinians inside their own territory.


They will be allowed along certain controlled roads, but will have to pass through highly sophisticated


check-points. It sounds like another Berlin Wall - and remember what happened to that.


The stories one hears of the brutal inhumanity of the Israeli army are horrific. People bulldozed in their


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houses, the army reply has been that they chose to stay. Whole villages and towns having their electricity


and water cut off. Food and medical relief brought to them by Israeli Arabs and 'left wing' Israelis turned


away. Males between the ages of 15 and 45 taken away from their in villages and towns, stripped and then


the released ones sent home without their clothes. People in Jenin do not know where their relations are or


if they are dead. The refusal to allow wounded and sick people to be treated or taken to hospital. The list


goes on and on. Of the thousands that have been detained during the recent invasion of West Bank towns,


what has happened to them? No information seems to be forthcoming about them. Sharon continues to


subject the whole Palestinian population to a brutal, merciless and massive collective punishment for what


he calls acts of terrorism. He is engendering even more hatred for all Israelis and breeding more potential


suicide bombers and terrorists among a new generation growing up. The logic of his policy, if it is to


succeed, means he will have to imprison or kill every Palestinian.


In April, on Independence Day, the Israelis celebrated their freedom as a sovereign State. At the same


time they were oppressing and humiliating their blood brothers, as they have been called, a few miles


away in Bethlehem and other West Bank areas. There were numerous firework displays here in Jerusalem


to inaugurate the celebration. It was sickening, when just over the hill the siege of the Nativity Church


was going on. However, it was noticeable that Independence Day itself was held in fear. Thousands of


troops and police were on duty. Because of their fear Arab neighbourhoods and villages around Jerusalem


had to be put under curfew. Fear is present everyday in Jerusalem. Armed soldiers and police are in the


streets, shopping malls, schools, restaurants and places of public entertainment. Groups of school children


have to be escorted by armed guards. Every boy and girl has to serve in the army and how sad it is to see


these 18 year olds, girls included, with guns slung around their shoulders.


The night before Independence Day three of us went to the Western Wall to see the memorial service for


the fallen soldiers of Israel. Standing next to us were some fundamental, evangelical 'Christians' from


Holland. They had come to show solidarity with Israel. Their belief is that once the Jews return to their


biblical land Jesus the Messiah will return and the Jews will be converted. They told us they had been to


Jenin. One of us asked them did they go visit the Palestinians. "Oh no! We went to give encouragement to


the soldiers", was the reply. Such so-called Christians are not helping the situation by coming here.


It could well be that in the long term Israel is digging its own grave. Their biblical history is clear that


when they don't live up to the Covenant, but engage in oppression and injustice, disasters befall them and


they eventually lose the land. It could happen again. If only they would listen to their Prophets! If only


they would listen to the voices of today who keep telling them that the peace and security they rightly


want will only come when justice and freedom is given to those they keep in chains. Thank God there are


some Israelis who do realize this and work with the Palestinians to bring about reconciliation, justice and


peace.


Fr Peter Carr SDB. Jerusalem.


Life from a whole new perspective


Discovered by Sixth Form Students from Thornleigh College


Caroline


When I went to Lourdes I had an excellent time, we had so much fun. The atmosphere


of Lourdes is something that you can't describe. It's something that you have to


experience for yourself. A lot of people don't go to Lourdes with HCPT because they


think that it's all about praying, but it isn't. It's about giving the children a holiday of a


lifetime, letting them have as much fun as they can.


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I think that the best thing about Lourdes was the Trust Mass. It was a time when HCPT


groups from all over the world got together and had a celebration. It was a brilliant atmosphere, everyone


was dancing and singing together. It was wonderful to see the children so happy. I also really enjoyed


going to the grotto at night time.


Lourdes was a holiday of a lifetime for me. It is something that I will never ever forget and would love to


go back. I would advise everybody to go to Lourdes so they can experience what I experienced.


Hannah


For me, travelling to Lourdes with the HCPT was an amazing experience that I will


never forget. It was one of the hardest weeks of my life both physically and emotionally


yet it was the most rewarding. Just seeing the children smiling, laughing and enjoying


themselves made me realise that all my hard work had been worthwhile.


Reflecting back, Lourdes is a very special and spiritual place to take disabled children.


The main highlight of the week for me was definitely the Trust Mass. The atmosphere in


the underground Basilica was just fantastic! Inside there were HCPT groups from all


over the world and in true HCPT fashion they were all wearing brightly coloured hats, jumpers etc


distinctive to their particular group. I don't think I'll ever go to a Mass quite like it. Everyone was singing


and clapping and when the children recognised a song that they knew their eyes lit up and you could see


the enjoyment on their faces. Everyone was joined together in a unity of friendship. This friendly and


warm atmosphere of Lourdes gave the children joy and happiness which was part of the fantastic


experience Lourdes was for me. I can't wait to go back.


Matthew


This Easter I volunteered to go as a helper to Lourdes with the HCPT. I was unsure


about what would be expected of me and whether I would fit in with the group. As it


turned out the trip was the most amazing and humbling experience of my life. It helped


me to look at life from a whole new perspective. I have now realised that life is not


perfect and that there may be struggles, but it is important to make the most out of your


life. It helps to try to stay cheerful even during troubles The main thing that struck me


was the amazing courage of the children. Even though their life is a constant struggle,


they are still lively and full of enthusiasm for everything. One image that will stay with


me was when we used to sing songs to the children. The response from the children was that they smiled


and that smile made the whole trip so worthwhile. The children would often say things to me that made


me stop think, and usually laugh. This was not because the comment was funny, but usually because of the


way that it had been said. The part of the trip that I found most touching was when children got up to say


something themselves or to say a prayer during a service. This experience was often difficult for some of


them because what they said had come straight from the heart. It made the hairs on the back of my neck


stand on end and a tingling feeling crept over my body. Lourdes made me realise that there is always


someone much worse off than we are and that if they can persevere and stay cheerful and enthusiastic,


then we can.


John


Right from the very start when we met up with all the children and their families back


in January I knew that HCPT 2002 would be very special. The atmosphere was


fantastic, the children on a high. The helpers full of adrenaline and raring to go. When


we met up on the cold March morning at 3.30 am, half-asleep, it was the laughing of the


children that woke me up and kept me awake. In fact it was this that kept me awake all


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week. Whenever I felt tired or felt I couldn't go on any more the scream of 'John'


instantly gave me energy. The smiles, the frowns, the tears and the laughter of those


children! They always showed their emotion, happy or sad.


The whole week was go, go, go. We were always doing something to keep the children occupied. The


highlight of the week however was the Trust Mass on Thursday morning. The child I was with had a part


in the Mass and represented the whole of England. In the procession. 5000 people singing and dancing,


men, women boys and girls. The atmosphere was electric and the acts of the children bucked us all up. I


will definitely be going next year.


DON BOSCO AND THE QUR'AN


I have recently moved to Bolton, in the north of England to take up the


post of chaplain in our Salesian school. As part of my familiarisation


with the local area I walked through the streets around the school. I


discovered that most of the local people were Muslim. In the school


yard however, I found that few of the young people had any


meaningful contact with their Muslim neighbours. It seems that both


white Christians and ethnic Muslims are living parallel lives in Bolton.


Being a native of Leicester, where integration is much more developed,


I was surprised. I was more concerned about the tabloid stereotypes


that can create artificial boundaries within the minds of young people.


In ministering to young people in a multi-ethnic setting I have begun to think about the partnerships I need


to establish as a Christian youth worker with those who work with youth in the Muslim community. I was


interested especially in exploring how far I might be able to share common spiritual ground with a Muslim


youth worker. What kind of motivation and meaning would a Muslim youth worker draw from the Islamic


tradition? Would it have any connection to the meaning and motivation a Christian youth worker could


draw from Don Bosco? I know that many Salesian schools in Asia are populated almost entirely by


Muslim students. With this in mind I set out to make some early connections between Don Bosco's style


of education and the Qur'an. What follows is the beginning of my exploration into common humanity of


these two great religious traditions.


The Qur'an


The Qur'an is a beautiful book that needs to be heard rather than read. It is set out in rhyming prose that


lends itself to memorisation. The book is given a central place in Islam as the inspired word of God to


Mohammed, the final seal of the prophets. The Qur'an's 114 chapters were committed to writing within


twenty years of the Prophet's death in the year 632. Reading the text in translation I was amazed at how


much of its wisdom found echoes in the words of Don Bosco and in the Salesian style of working with the


young. I am not qualified to comment on the text of the Qur'an but simply place the text alongside key


Salesian themes and invite the reader to make their own connections. In making their own links the reader


might then find some bridges being built in their mind and heart between the Christian and Muslim world


in general as well as the world of youth work.


Reason, Religion, and Kindness


One of the most common expressions of Don Bosco's style of work is 'Reason Religion and Kindness' in


dealing with young people. In Don Bosco's mind they are vital pieces of any relationship that leads to life.


The Qur'an sets out a similar challenge in working with other people:


Call others to the way of your Lord with wisdom and kindly encouragement. Reason with them in a gentle


way.


The underlying motivation for this Salesian way of working springs from a sense of the mystery of God's


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presence in each person. We are all sons and daughters of God and have an infinite dignity and worth.


That same sense of the individual's dignity and worth is expressed in The Qur'an in the following way:


God shaped man and breathed his own life into him


It is because we are so close to God that we deserve to be treated with reason and kindness. That


awareness of the closeness of God was something Don Bosco urged his helpers to cultivate so that they


could meet God in their relationship with young people. That same closeness is expressed in a very


physical way by the Arabic text of the Qur'an


God is nearer than the jugular vein.


Wherever you turn, there is the face of God.


God is all embracing, all knowing.


The Preventive System


When asked to put his way of working into words, Don Bosco wrote a brief paper entitled 'The Preventive


System'. It outlined a basic optimism at the heart of his work that young people, given a chance, will grow


up happy and close to God. It was the task of the educator to create the right environment, a place where


they were faced only with challenges that would not damage them. That meant that the leaders would


need to be aware of potential problems. Then they could distract, divert or intervene to prevent


destructive activity rather than wait for mistakes and punish children for them. It was a real surprise to me


when I found similar sentiments in the Qur'an written over a thousand years before Don Bosco's birth:


Repel the evil deed with one that is better, good deeds annul evil deeds


How does one help a troublemaker?


By hindering him in doing wrong.


Part of the wisdom of the preventive system is the encouragement to overlook small faults in young


people, as due mainly to thoughtlessness. It is far more important to sustain a warm and supportive


relationship than to be constantly nagging young people about small details. The most important thing for


Don Bosco was that their inner life, their soul, was not damaged. The Qur'an offers similar advice:


If you overlook faults and forgive, God will be merciful and forgiving. The one who is successful is the


one who causes the soul to grow and the one who fails, stunts the growth of the soul.


No burden do we place on any soul but that which it can bear.


The adult, dealing with young people, therefore needs huge patience as young people acquire maturity and


consistency. Don Bosco said that only mature adults could make this system work and they also needed a


spiritual motivation to do it well. The Qur'an would agree entirely:


True constancy before God lies in forgiveness and patient forbearance. The believer who joins in with life


and its sufferings is worth more than the one who distances himself from human suffering.


The strong man is the one who controls himself when he is angry.


Conclusion


Not all faiths are the same, not everything in Islam sits easily with a Christian approach to life. But there is


common ground. There is a shared humanity, a concern for spirit and soul, a realisation of people's frailty


and the importance of the young. This is a good foundation to begin in working together with another


culture. The words of another Muslim text provide the last word on this common concern for the gentle


quality of education and faith:


All human beings are God's children, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His children kindly.


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Fr David O'Malley SDB


Reflection - The Ministry of Welcome


I was recently travelling with a group of friends. It was Sunday and we were in a strange city, so we asked


where the Catholic church was. We were directed towards the city-centre and found the church. On


entering we were greeted by this sign:


Communion in the hand not allowed here


It certainly shocked us. But we wanted to attend Mass. Since we had no where else to go, we stayed and


silently fumed. This did not seem to be the best way to welcome people to Mass. The liturgy that day was


based around the story of the 'Good Shepherd', but sadly the negative tone of that sign did not seem to go


well with the idea of the caring Shepherd. This clash of impressions made me reflect on the essence of the


Good Shepherd. What should it mean to be a leader and guide? I thought of the example of Don Bosco.


The three words not allowed here haunted me for days. They seem to capture negativity, legality and


exclusivity. Was the priest in this Church not happy with recent changes in the Catholic Church? Did he


feel he could unilaterally decide that his parishioners and visitors to his church would not be allowed to


receive communion in the hand? It reminded me so much of another sign I used to see in my local corner


shop:


Please do not ask for credit, as denial often offends!


As a priest I was saddened by the negativity of this sign. It certainly was not a sign of welcome but rather


a sign of alienation. As priests, we are called to be people who care about people; about their needs, about


their worries. We are called to be concerned especially for those who are suffering or on the margins of


our society. Yet a sign like this only makes people who normally receive Communion in the hand feel


marginalised.


Our Church is a pilgrim people and we are on a journey. Like any travellers we need support and help. As


a Christian Church we are called to offer a hand to fellow 'travellers' in a real and living way. To help them


live in our world as it is today. I believe we are called to welcome and to make real the friendship and care


of Christ in our world. Many of our great religious orders, such as the Benedictines were founded to offer


hospitality and welcome to the 'pilgrim people of God'.


Recently we have been dismayed by the crisis of abuse in the church, when sadly some Shepherds let


down the very people they came to serve and help. Clerical abuse, like all forms of abuse, is an abuse of


power. For too long in our Church some priests and religious have felt they had the power to tell people


what not to do. Yet Jesus tells us quite simply. 'The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his flock'. Jesus


walked on the road to Emmaus with his disciples. We need to walk WITH our brothers and sisters of faith


and no faith, listening to their fears, concerns and worries. We cannot hide behind clerical collars,


religious habits or titles no matter how grand and important they might make us feel. The Church is an


effective and real agent for change in our world that can appear very materialistic and lacking faith. If we,


as pastors, do not change our outlook and work for effective collaboration within the community, then we


will be as 'real' as Fr Ted, Fr Dougal and Fr Jack, on television Channel Four; living on our very own


Craggy Island.


Post Script


At the end of that frustrating Sunday, we called into another Church in the same city. The first thing we


saw was a copy of Don Bosco Today on the bookstand. The parish priest, seeing we were strangers, came


and welcomed us. Cause and effect? It would be lovely to think so, but quite simply we had found one of


the many parish priests who really are the good shepherds that we as Catholics have come to know and


love in this country.


Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB


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Fr Joe Davie SDB 1931 - 2002


'There is a time for everything under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die'. Joe's


time to die came on Sunday 3rd February 2002. When I visited him just a few weeks


before he died, I found him very upbeat with a keen awareness of God and his


nearness to him as experienced through the care of his family and friends, his Salesian


confreres and parishioners, and the staff at Marie Curie Hospice.


Joe was the third of eleven children born to Tom and Mary Davie in Dennistoun, in the


east end of Glasgow. He was baptised in St Michael's, Parkhead, just opposite


'Paradise' (Celtic Park). At the age of 15 he took up an apprenticeship as a tailor. After finishing his


apprenticeship he went to America where he met the Salesians and received and followed his vocation


with them. He was professed on Sept 8th 1959 and worked in New Rochelle, New Brunswick, and


Boston, before resuming studies for the priesthood. He was due for ordination in 1975, a Jubilee year and


he was to be ordained by the Holy Father in Rome. As his parents were unable to travel he chose to be


ordained by the then Archbishop Winning of Glasgow. He returned to America for four years working in


New Jersey, Tampa and Cedar Lake. In 1979 with his mother's health deteriorating he returned to this


country. It was a comfort for the family that he was here when his mother died in 1980 and his father in


1983.


Service was one of those elements Joe was trained in by his parents and family and so not surprisingly it


was a mark of his priesthood. Service is never easy. One has to master oneself to serve others, and there


are the inevitable pressures, misunderstandings, regrets. Service is love made visible. Joe served as bursar


at Cowley from 1981 to 1985. He worked in a parish on the Isle of Man from 1985 to 1987. For nine year


he worked in St Richard's Parish, Bootle. Finally in St Peter and Paul's Stockton where he was Parish


Priest for the last six years. We pray he may be enjoying the fruits of his life of service.


Fr Michael Power SDB


Brother Joe Carter 1924 - 2002


Brother Joe was born in the city of London in May 1924 and spent his early years in


Upminster. At the age of nine, he became a pupil at Salesian College, Chertsey and


there began his life-long love of Don Bosco and attachment to the Salesians. His school


days over, he spent a couple of years with the White Fathers discerning his vocation.


But the pull of Don Bosco proved irresistible and in September 1943 he began his


novitiate at Beckford. First profession came in August 1944 and after a further year on


the farm in Beckford, he moved to Blaisdon where he was to spend the next fifty years


of his Salesian life.


Gradually, thanks to his own inexhaustible energy and the influence of Salesians such as Fr Dan Lucey, he


became a skilled farmer, and contributed much to establishing the reputation of the farm at Blaisdon as


one of the best in Gloucestershire. Besides the heavy demands of farming, he was also entrusted with the


special care of some of the boys for whom Blaisdon was both their home and school. The large number of


past pupils who were present at his funeral spoke eloquently of the deep affection and regard they had for


him and of the very Salesian way in which he had cared for them.


Besides his work on the farm, such was his generosity that he was always willing to take on another job.


Despite his many school commitments, his involvement in the local Blaisdon community was just as great.


For many years he was the 'snow warden' for the village and there was nothing he enjoyed more than to


wake and see the place covered in snow, and then to get out before dawn with tractor and shovel and


clear the roads and lanes. For the people of Blaisdon, he was very much their Good Samaritan.


Joe had a great love of his family and always spoke proudly of them. Even though they had emigrated to


the United States, he visited them regularly, and in the early eighties he spent a couple of years there


caring for his elderly mother until she died. His two remaining sisters, Lacy and Mary, kept in constant


touch with him by phone and we were pleased that Lacy was able to be present for his funeral.


In December 1995, with the closure of the school at Blaisdon Joe had to move to a new home in


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Farnborough. It certainly was not easy for him to leave the green fields of Gloucestershire, but Joe was


nothing if not adaptable and resourceful. He settled into life at Farnborough, and soon became a familiar


figure in the neighbourhood as he made his way around the town in his motorised wheelchair.


Even as a youngster Joe had to contend with ill health, and in his latter years, besides having to come to


terms with the loss of much of his sight, he was almost always in constant pain. Yet he remained cheerful


and welcoming. Joe died on the 26th February 2002. May he rest in peace.


Fr Hugh Preston SDB


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