T H E S A L E S I A N B U L L E T I N Y E A R 1 1 4 I S S U E 2 S U M M E R 2 0 0 6
T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E S A L E S I A N F A M I L Y
DON BOSCO TODAY
Editorial
On the front cover of this
issue of Don Bosco
Today we see our
recently appointed
Cardinal Zen and our
Rector Major, Fr Pascal
Chávez. They stand on
either side of a new
statue of Don Bosco. The
statue is but a sculptor’s
image of a saint. As with
all statues, it might not
appeal to some people, it
may not capture their
image of the saint.
However I find this composite picture deeply symbolic. For me, the two men
do indeed capture the spirit of Don Bosco. Each, in their impressive ways, is
for us Don Bosco. Cardinal Zen is the voice of the Chinese Catholics, a vast
multitude who live in very difficult religious and political circumstances. He
expresses the hopes and aspirations of so many young people in China. Fr
Pascal Chávez is Don Bosco today for the many thousands in the Salesian
Family and beyond, who, having been moved by the life of Don Bosco, find in
Fr Chávez their inspiration and their guide. His wonderful smile, his incredible
energy, his wise words, all of these speak to us of Don Bosco. I hope you find
the articles on Cardinal Zen and Fr Chávez interesting.
While thanking God for the leadership provided by people such as these two
men, I am also conscious that the great good they do would not be possible
without the support of so many like-minded people whose generosity
facilitates their work. I would like to acknowledge the thousands of people who
support our Salesian work with their prayers and with their donations. We try
to write and personally thank every individual who sends donations, but I am
conscious that there are some who support us with direct debit payments,
and these do not receive a thank-you each time their donation comes into the
bank. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their constant
generosity.
Fr Tony Bailey SDB
Editor
Email: a.bailey@salesians.org.uk
DON BOSCO TODAY
2
Contents
DON BOSCO TODAY
3
DON BOSCO PUBLICATIONS
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DESIGN AND PRINTING
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Salesian Websites – well worth visiting
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Salesians in Rome www.sdb.org
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Salesian Sisters in Rome www.cgfmanet.org
Salesian Sisters in the UK www.salesiansistersuk.com
Salesian Youth Ministry www.salesianyouthministry.com
Don Bosco Youth Net www.donboscoyouth.net
Bosconet www.bosconet.aust.com
Youth Outreach www.youthoutreach.org.hk
Meeting Father Chávez 4
The Abuse of Drink 6
New Term Offer for Schools 9
Booklist 10
Order Form 11
Chloe and Jack Visit the Vatican 12
East Timor Update 13
Our New Salesian Cardinal 16
Salesian News from the East 18
We Remember 19
Salesian Sisters in the World 20
DON BOSCO TODAY
4 5
DON BOSCO TODAY
Meeting Fr Chávez There’s a very special lesson in Luke’s Gospel; theconversation between Jesus and his parents is all questions:
My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your
father and I have been, looking for you. To which Jesus replies
Why? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? The
secret of education, the way Jesus teaches us, consists in
using plenty of question marks, but hardly any exclamation
marks. Unfortunately so often we as parents, teachers and
pastors, often do the opposite. Even Mary struggles to
understand. Separation is always a struggle. Adolescent sons
and daughters need to be looked at with affectionate
understanding and listened to seriously. These days a great
deal of attention is paid to openness: listening, watching, trying
to understand, picking up on unspoken messages, reading
between the lines. We need to talk with children, not at them.
Joseph and Mary didn’t give up on Jesus: we shouldn’t drop
out of our children’s lives; even when they leave us. We need to
be present with them and protect them. If the occasion arises it’s good to give them a
hug: they will make a fuss, but they like it. They have few needs but these are important:
• Companionship - since they often feel lonely.
• things to do - because they easily get bored.
• security - since they are afraid of an unknown world which they still have to
understand.
• conversation - because there are so many things they don’t know.
Education too, ought to be with the children, trying to get them involved: Jesus went
down with them then and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.
So what can we do for adolescents?
• Respect them. A calm and respectful approach is needed. Adolescents will be able
to acquire self-respect if they feel appreciated. They need to have some degree of
self-sufficiency and autonomy. Respect has to be real; they will see through
pretence. It is shown in an increase in trust and in giving greater responsibility. Give
adolescents jobs to do, even important ones. Give them the responsibility of
managing the money they need; acknowledge their right to choose their own friends,
pastimes, sports, and social activities, these are all excellent ways.
• Encourage them. Adolescents are poor; their only possessions are their dreams,
which some people enjoy trampling on. Let them see your pleasure and your joy
when they do something worthwhile: at this age, praise strengthens the ties of
affection.
• Let them see your faith. Many adolescents give up the faith as a relic of childhood:
it is up to the parents to show them that for adults it can be strength.
• Forgive them. It is always good to leave the door open. Failure is their daily bread.
They need to learn from their parents, who should never forget that they too were
once adolescents.
After the Rector Major had spoken, it was time for a picnic lunch on the lawn and
games for the younger people. The fine weather helped make the atmosphere so
special. The Rector Major joined the young people in their activities and seemed to be
as joyful as they were. The day ended with a Mass in the school chapel, the sanctuary
being crowded with a legion of enthusiastic servers from St James’ parish in Bootle. A
truly memorable day!
The 23rd May 2006 was a beautiful spring day
with typical English sunny weather. Members
of the Salesian Family, from all over the North
of England and Scotland, had gathered to
meet the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr
Pascual Chávez, at Thornleigh, Bolton. Before
he spoke to everyone he blessed a new
crucifix which had recently been painted by Fr
Albert Carette SDB, a young 86 year-old
Salesian priest. The crucifix was to replace the
more traditional cross in the School Assembly
Hall. Fr Chávez also agreed to launch the
English edition of the life of Mamma Margaret
presented to him by Mrs Joan Rankin,
manager of Don Bosco Publications. Mrs
Kathleen Pearce, author of our many books
for children, also presented him with a copy of
her latest book, Rosie and Katie Go to Mass.
Fr Chávez spoke to the Salesian Family gathering as
follows:
This year is the 150th anniversary of the death of
Mamma Margaret, mother of Don Bosco and in a very
special way mother of his boys; I invite you to reflect on
Family, that most important institution for any individual,
for society and for the Church. Nowadays the family is
under pressure from social and cultural factors which
may undermine its stability. In some countries it is also
put at risk by legislation which attacks its natural
structure: the union between a man and a woman
based on their indissoluble marriage agreement. Let’s
begin with the family of Nazareth, which continues to be
the model for every family, from the time when the Son
of God became incarnate and shared in our human
history, coming into a family where he matured as man
and as God. The Holy Family tells us so much about
family.
I want to speak to you about that significant episode
when, at twelve years of age, Jesus was found in the
Temple in Nazareth. This passage provides a link
between the infancy narratives in the Gospels and the
public life of Jesus, just as adolescence comes
between childhood and adulthood. The first
characteristic of the adolescent is that you are no
longer a child but not yet an adult. It is not a
comfortable time for any young man or woman;
certainly not for their parents. The most important word
in this gospel story is the word - with: Jesus faces the
most important moments of his religious and personal
life with his parents. Jesus has to do the will of the
Father; it is a time when he is searching for his own life
plan, a period to be faced and resolved. For all young
people it remains a period to be faced and resolved.
Those who do not do so remain adolescents, unstable
for the rest of their life. It can also be a time of joyful
discovery and of conscious acceptance of realty. If
anything, the crisis is
felt by the parents
who struggle to let
go and who suffer
because, too often,
they don’t know how
to help their
youngster. The
question of our own
vocation remains the
first that we have to
face, alone.
DON BOSCO TODAY
Don Bosco wandered the streets of Turin
during his early years as a priest. He found
young people working on building sites, in
sweat shops and road construction. Many of
them were exploited and abused by
unscrupulous managers and over-charged
for food and filthy accommodation. Young
people were degraded and without respect
for themselves. Like a good parent and
educator Don Bosco resolved to bring
practical help in the form of safety, education
and spiritual awareness. He used a three
point plan of reason, religion and kindness
as a rescue package for the youth of Turin.
If Don Bosco walked the streets of some of our cities
today, what would he see? Sadly he would find the
same level of exploitation of young people; he would
also see the same degradation and lack of respect.
Many of our town centres have become a focal point
for young people, drawn together by cheap alcohol
and the need to escape the stress of life at home. The
Chief Constable, in my own home town of Leicester,
recently said, There is a profit-driven competitiveness
around alcohol, and one of its consequences is
young people becoming victims. Just as the
employers of Turin exploited young people in Don
Bosco’s time, so the entertainment business in the
UK is exploiting young people today, leading them
into a binge-drinking culture. As in Don Bosco’s time,
much of this is happening beyond the influence of
parents and caring adults.
Alcohol is so much part of our society that we may
underestimate its impact on the lives of young
people. It is only when we read about an eleven-year-
old, who became pregnant after a binge-drinking
session, that we realise that things are serious. What
we do not read about are the children scarred by
drunken domestic violence and the ones who are
laying down a habit of drinking that will eventually
destroy their health and mental stability. If Don Bosco
were walking through the streets of our cities today
he would see the harm being done to young people
whom he called, the most precious and most
vulnerable part of society.
The question is, can Don Bosco’s approach of
reason, religion and kindness still work, in meeting
the challenge of young people binge-drinking in
developed countries? Perhaps reason, religion and
kindness have something to say about how we can
manage the issue of youth and alcohol. Perhaps the
Salesian preventive approach can help to rescue
some young people from the damage that alcohol
can bring, to open their lives to new reasons for living
and hoping. Maybe reason religion and kindness can
bring them to their senses in the way the prodigal son
realised that he could return to his father.
Reason was the first of Don Bosco’s key words in
working with young people at risk. How might reason
be used in supporting a healthier attitude to alcohol in
young people? Some young people may change
6 7
DON BOSCO TODAY
The Abuse of Drink their behaviour when theyrealise that five to nine
million children in Europe
are living in families
damaged by alcohol and
10,000 deaths occur to
bystanders or passengers
from drink-drivers each
year. These are awful
statistics that hide a tidal
wave of suffering among
young people. However,
such statistics have a
limited impact on young
people’s choices, the
power of the peer group and the persuasiveness of advertising targeted directly at
teenagers is far too strong. Education, on its own, is unlikely to make an impact on
young people’s choices. The effects of alcohol that are closer to a young person’s
experience are more likely to provide good reasons for better choices: your breath
smells, you look awful, you get into inappropriate relationships, you get
headaches, you may be sick or incontinent, the day after a binge-drinking session
may be lost to friendship, fun, family and work. Parents and other adults also need
to set an example in their own reasonable use of alcohol, in terms of the amount
and the setting in which it is used. The UK binge-drinking rate is four times that of
Italy, where alcohol is used primarily in family settings and in the context of a meal.
Perhaps, as adults, we may at times have encouraged, by our example, an
inappropriate use of alcohol.
Reasonable use of alcohol, modelled by respected adults, is likely to have the most
effect on youth drinking. However, a reasoned approach to protect young people
who are most vulnerable, would also suggest that some controls and sanctions be
placed on the advertising and sale of alcohol to young people. The use of alcohol
as a symbol of belonging, leisure and success, by advertising makes it a focal point
of youth peer groups. In that symbolic role alcohol can easily become a focus for
over-indulgence and competitiveness among young women as well as young men.
Just as Don Bosco campaigned to establish unions and standards among
employers of the young, perhaps he would also be campaigning for a more
responsible drinks industry today.
Don Bosco was not just a social worker but also a spiritual leader. The second part
of his response to exploitation of the young was religion. Don Bosco often
energised young prisoners, by reminding them that they are precious and children
of God. This passion for the dignity of each young person and a huge belief in their
goodness is a vital part of rescuing young lives, or saving souls as Don Bosco
called it. Religion and spirituality awaken a deep sense of dignity in young people,
that can rescue them from the emptiness that often leads to over-indulgence. A
Salesian friend, commenting on the degrading scenes of late night drinking, felt
that there was a lack of shame in the young in being sick, lying in the gutter or
being destructive of places and people. If that is true then it points to a deeper thirst
for meaning and a sense of personal worth.
DON BOSCO TODAYDON BOSCO TODAY
Many young people, in my experience, go out with
the specific intention of getting hammered and see
the oblivion it creates as an escape from a reality they
find empty and meaningless. Ian Millington, a doctor
in Swansea, commenting on the rise of this
intentional bingeing said, The figures suggest that
young people are trying to escape from their own
lives. The need to escape from a sense of emptiness
is fed by alcohol which unleashes pessimism and
despair leading to well-documented mental as well as
physical illness. Perhaps Don Bosco would recognise
that alcohol problems come today when young
people do not drink deeply enough of life, of love and
of their dreams. The over stimulation of the media
may have exploited the imagination of young people,
the secular emptiness of our society may have
robbed young people of their inner life and the cult of
celebrity may have hijacked the importance of the
ordinary in young people’s lives. Reminding young
people of their dignity, showing respect for their views
and expressing genuine distress and disappointment
when they over indulge, can all be spiritual tools in
rescuing them from the exploitation of a consumerist
culture. In that sense, abuse of alcohol in young
people can be seen, not as an illness, but rather as a
symptom of a deeper poverty of spirit, a spiritual
illness.
For Don Bosco the way into that spiritual emptiness,
the bridge that saved souls, was loving kindness. His
first encounters with the young disillusioned youth of
Turin were negative and aggressive. They did not
trust authority, they were unaware of their own needs
and were so damaged that they found it hard to
believe in their own goodness. Don Bosco spent
many hours in bars, walking the streets and visiting
building sites, getting to know and establish trust with
young people. In time, some of them began to
believe in his kindness as genuine goodness. When
they trusted Don Bosco’s goodness, they could start
to believe again in their own goodness. It was this
kindness, consistently offered over time, which
reinforced the spiritual dignity of young people and
opened them up to reason. Don Bosco’s proudest
title was, friend of youth, because he knew that, in a
relationship of loving kindness, the presence of God
was stirred inside the young person and began to
focus and feed the deepest hungers and thirsts of the
young.
In dealing with binge-drinking Don Bosco would
undoubtedly want to underline the importance of
loving kindness to awaken inner spiritual strength
and a sense of dignity to resist overindulgence.
However, whilst Don Bosco could visit building sites
and bars and engage in conversation with the young
it is not possible to connect so easily with groups of
drunken youth. Alcohol dulls the awareness, removes
inhibitions and exposes the emptiness and despair of
inner lives in a way that blocks honest and balanced
communication. It is only later, when the young
person has sobered up, that loving kindness can
build a bridge that awakens a deeper life. The parent,
waiting for a young, perhaps drunken, son or
daughter to return home in the early hours is better
waiting to confront them when they are sober. Only
then can the pain, the shame, the disappointment
and the affection of the parent be heard by the young
person.
In our society, which is full of energy and activity,
there is also a deep thirst for faith in the inner life in
young people. Alcohol, like shopping and media
provide ways to stimulate the surface without moving
the depth of a person. Don Bosco wanted to awaken
the mystery of God at the heart of each person. That
depth would become the holy ground in which they
could root their lives and grow in relationship with
God and other people. Reason, religion and
kindness were, for Don Bosco, a way to create good
Christians and good citizens. They are also three
ways he would use, in
relationship with the young,
to strengthen them against
the emptiness of binge-
drinking in our society today.
The Abuse of Drink
8 9
Headteachers, School Governors, School Chaplains, Leadership Staff!
Feed Your Staff
Feed their Minds
When you appoint new staff why not present them with:
Serving the Young by Fr Jim Gallagher SDB
Normal price £5 + £1.00 p&p
They will learn what Catholic Schools are about.
Feed their Spirituality
When you appoint new staff why not present them with:
Ordinary Ways by Fr David O’Malley SDB
Normal price £4 50 + £1 p&p
It will help motivate them to work with young people in a Christian way.
Our offer for the new term
Both books for £7.50 + £1 50 p&p
For multiple copies we are prepared to offer special prices
Why not phone Joan on 01204 308 811
Or email her on joan@salesians.org.uk
You will be pleasantly surprised at our prices,
and we do not charge postage on orders of multiple copies.
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10 11
Don Bosco Publications
www.don-bosco-publications.co.uk
VIA LUCIS
by David O’Malley
SDB
An ideal way to pray
the Stations of the
Resurrection at Easter
and through the year.
The Via Lucis reflects upon the
final chapters of each of the
four Gospels, which narrate
the appearances of the Risen
Lord from Easter to Pentecost.
In looking at our own
experience we may discover
the spirit that gives us new
reasons for living and hoping.
Hardback – fully illustrated
in colour.
0-9538991-8-7
SAINT JOHN
BOSCO
Kathleen Pearce
The story of the
inspirational life of
Don Bosco, the
friend of children
and young people.
Hardback – fully
illustrated in colour.
ROSIE GOES TO
CHURCH
Kathleen Pearce
A child’s detailed guide to
the inside of the church.
Suitable for all primary
school children.
Hardback – fully illustrated in
colour.
0-9538991-3-6
101 SAINTS
AND SPECIAL
PEOPLE
Kathleen Pearce
A fresh and
interesting look at
the lives of special
people.
A large, hardback book
with 95 beautiful
illustrations.
0-9544539-1-3
REMEMBER YOUR
SAINTS & SPECIAL
PEOPLE
MEMORY GAME
An exciting 72 card
memory game which helps
children and adults remember Saints
and Special People in its own
presentation box.
0-9544539-7-2
SERVING THE YOUNG
Jim Gallagher SDB
The focus of this book is
the religious dimension of
education in a Catholic
School and helps the reader
find hidden treasures in some
of the Church’s texts on education.
Invaluable for new teachers.
Paperback.
0-9544539-6-4
SEAN DEVEREUX
Michael Delmer
SDB
A young man of
generosity and
compassion works in
adverse and
dangerous conditions to
help less fortunate children
in Africa. This paperback
with 8 coloured
illustrations recounts how
his convictions cost him his
life.
0-9544539-9-9
OUR COLOURFUL
CHURCH YEAR
Kathleen Pearce
Written especially for
young children, and
beautifully illustrated,
this delightful book, looks at
events in the church and in
the family and how they are
celebrated.
Hardback, coloured
illustrations throughout.
0-9544539-3-X
GOOD NEWS
IN THE FAMILY
Kathleen Pearce
This book tells
the story of Jesus
from the
Annunciation to
the coming of the Holy
Spirit in an interesting and
informative way. An
excellent resource for both
the school and the home.
Hardback – fully
illustrated in colour.
0-9538991-7-9
TEACHER,
TEACH US
TO PRAY
Winifred Acred
FMA
Primary school
teachers will
find this book an
invaluable aid to make
classroom worship a
special moment for
everyone.
Paperback.
0-9538991-5-2
PRAYERS TO START THE
DAY
David O’Malley SDB
This popular book offers a
simple form of prayer for
individual or communal use at
the start of each day. A useful
partner volume to Prayers to Close the
Day.
Paperback.
0-954388-0-7
PRAYERS TO CLOSE
THE DAY
David O’Malley SDB
A new form of evening
prayer, which helps us
reflect on the day. For use
in groups or as a personal
bedside prayer book.
Paperback.
0-954439-8-0
TRUST THE ROAD
David O’Malley SDB
A very popular leaving gift to
teenagers from their school
as they meet the challenge of
starting life’s journey.
Invaluable for anyone ready to
negotiate the twists and turns
along life’s rich road.
Paperback with coloured
illustrations.
0-9544539-4-8
DON BOSCO’S
GOSPEL WAY
M T Winstanley SDB
A fascinating
exploration of the
scriptural
background which
underpins Don Bosco’s Way.
Paperback.
0-9538991-9-5
DON’T
ORGANISE MY
TEARS
Tony Bailey SDB
A beautifully
produced book of
reflections written to
help people cope with
bereavement.
Paperback fully illustrated.
0-9538991-0-1
GOD OF
MANY FACES
M Renshaw FMA
Reflective verses.
Paperback.
0-9544539-2-1
ORDINARY WAYS
David O’Malley SDB
A book about the life-
giving relationships
between young people and
caring adults. A helpful
insight into ordinary
experiences which become
pathways to personal growth.
Paperback illustrated.
0-9538991-4-4
WITHIN &
WITHOUT
Michael
Cunningham SDB
God is present in all
aspects of our human
experience, good and
bad. This book will help all
of us make sense of the
challenges facing us today.
Paperback.
0-95445339-0-5
A TIME FOR
COMPASSION
Michael
Cunningham SDB
This is a book any
thinking Catholic will
enjoy. God calls
people from a fear-based
religion of rules and
regulations to a love-
based religion, in which a
profoundly relational God
invites all humanity into
union and communion.
Paperback.
0-9548388-1-5
ORDER FORM - SUMMER 2006
I would like to order:- Author QTY Price P&P
each
SERVING THE YOUNG and ORDINARY WAYS OFFER 7.50 1.50
101 SAINTS AND SPECIAL PEOPLE Lives of Saints for children K Pearce 10.00 4.00
A TIME FOR COMPASSION M Cunningham SDB 6.00 1.25
CHLOE AND JACK VISIT THE VATICAN a children’s guide to the Vatican K Pearce 3.99 1.25
DON BOSCO The friend of children and young people K Pearce 3.99 1.25
DON BOSCO’S GOSPEL WAY Reflections of the life of Don Bosco M Winstanley SDB 6.00 1.25
DON’T ORGANISE MY TEARS Reflections on bereavement A Bailey SDB 9.25 1.25
GOD OF MANY FACES Reflective verses M Renshaw FMA 2.50 0.75
GOOD NEWS IN THE FAMILY The life of Jesus in story form K Pearce 4.99 1.50
MAMMA MARGARET The Life of Don Bosco’s Mother Teresio Bosco SDB 5.70 1.50
MEMORY GAME based on ‘101 Saints and Special People’ K Pearce 5.00 2.00
MOVING ON Book of reflective poetry Margaret J Cooke 5.00 1.50
OUR COLOURFUL CHURCH YEAR K Pearce 4.50 1.50
ORDINARY WAYS Spiritual reflections for teachers & youth leaders D O’Malley SDB 4.50 1.00
PRAYERS TO CLOSE THE DAY D O’Malley SDB 3.50 1.25
PRAYERS TO START THE DAY D O’Malley SDB 3.00 1.00
ROSIE AND KATIE GO TO MASS K Pearce 3.99 1.25
DVD ROSIE GOES TO CHURCH A child’s guide to the church K Pearce 8.00 1.00
BOOK ROSIE GOES TO CHURCH A child’s guide to the church K Pearce 3.99 1.25
SEAN DEVEREUX A life given for Africa 1964-1993 M Delmer SDB 6.00 1.25
SERVING THE YOUNG Our Catholic Schools Today J Gallagher SDB 5.00 1.25
TEACHER, TEACH US TO PRAY for use in primary schools W Acred FMA 4.50 1.00
THE WITNESSES Seven witnesses narrate their part in the Passion W Acred FMA 2.99 1.00
TRUST THE ROAD 2nd edition with coloured illustrations D O’Malley SDB 4.50 1.25
VIA LUCIS How to pray the STations of the Resurrection D O’Malley SDB 5.99 1.50
WITHIN & WITHOUT Renewing Religious Life M Cunningham SDB 6.00 1.25
TOTALS £ £
"
MOVING ON
Margaret Joan
Cooke
These poems are
as varied in the
topics they address
as they vary in style
from the sombrely thoughtful
to the playful.
Hardback.
0-9544539-5-6
ROSIE GOES
TO CHURCH
DVD
A DVD based on
the book Rosie
goes to Church, in
nine languages
(English, German, Irish, Italian, Dutch,
Polish, Slovenian, Spanish, Czech.)
0-9548388-2-3
ROSIE AND KATIE GO TO MASS
Kathleen Pearce
After the outstanding success of Rosie
goes to Church and the DVD we are
pleased to introduce another book for
young children in the Rosie series.
Parents who have difficulty explaining
the Mass to their children will welcome this
informative book.
Hardback – fully illustrated in colour.
0-9548388-4-X
THE WITNESSES
by Winifred Acred FMA
A teacher’s pack to be used in
church or school to make the
story of the Passion come alive
for children. Includes a leaders
instruction card and cards for
seven different readers.
0-9538991-6-0
CHLOE AND
JACK VISIT THE
VATICAN
Kathleen Pearce
A children’s guide to
the Vatican
Hardback – fully
illustrated in colour.
0-9548388-6-6
Serving the Young
Our CatholicSchools Today
Jim Gallagher SDB
DON BOSCO PUBLICATIONS
Michael Delmer SDB
SEAN DEVEREUX
A L i f e G i v e n f o r A f r i c a
1 9 6 4 – 1 9 9 3
Moving On
Margaret Joan Cooke
MAMMA
MARGARET
Teresio Bosco SDB
A wonderful account
of the part Don
Bosco’s mother
played in laying the
foundations of his work and his
education system.
Paperback.
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Chloe is visiting the Vatican with her family. In the crowds of St Peter’s Basilica she becomes
separated from them. She is fortunate to meet an excellent young guide, in the person of Jack.
Amazed at his knowledge, she enjoys visiting the wonderful buildings and learning about daily
life in the Vatican.
This book is an excellent introduction to
St Peter’s and the Vatican, a subject which
deserves more attention.
It will lead to a better understanding of
the history of the Catholic Church.
Hardback Price £3.99
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See order form on page 11
Chloe and Jack Visit the Vatican
DON BOSCO TODAY
East Timor Welcome
East Timor Update
DILI: 30th April 2006
Amidst fear and flight and hope, East
Timor's first Cooperators make their
promises.
Early in the morning, at Mary Help of
Christians Parish Church, three couples
made their promises, as Salesian
Cooperators, at a Mass presided over by Fr
Callejas, Superior of the Vice Province. The
moment was an historical one, as it was the
first formal promise amongst this group of
the Salesian Family in Timor Leste. Timor
Leste has had a Salesian presence for 60
years, but no formal Association of Salesian
Cooperators until now. The event made
history in terms of context, too. News media
had already reported on the disturbances
associated with a dispute amongst
members of the armed forces, essentially
the sacking of 591 soldiers, which has led to
rioting, a number of deaths and the burning
of 100 or more homes in the capital Dili.
The Salesian House had, for several days, been a
reception centre for around 5,000 people, many of
them families of the parish who have fled their homes
in fear of further rioting and burning. In fact it had
been the largest gathering of refugees around the
city, some had gathered at the airport, several
hundred in the US Embassy, others at the police HQ
and others again at the FMA community residence
and grounds. This is the third time large crowds of
people have taken refuge at Don Bosco, Comoro:
first in 1999, then in March and again this month.
The witness of our Salesians in all of this has been
outstanding, especially when water and food in these
circumstances is limited. The Principal of the Don
Bosco Training Centre, Brother Adriano SDB, has had
to carry much of the burden of organisation, since
most of the priests have been involved around the
city in parish duties. A decision had been made to
continue to provide normal Masses and services for
people at this crucial time. So Brother Adriano
organised the logistics with help from NGOs and
Embassies. Some 30 people were injured during the
shooting and again it was Brother Adriano who
organised the transportation to the hospital.
Amidst all of this, the First Promises by three couples,
their subsequent sharing of their vocational journey
and the later blessing of the Statue of St John Bosco
at the entrance to the compound was a moment of
hope that helped vanquish fear. They certainly didn't
ask for an additional 5,000 guests for the occasion,
but perhaps that too was a blessing in disguise!
DILI: 4th May 2006
Life in Dili has yet to settle down. Most of the 7,500 or
so people in our compound had already left. The
government helped them with transport to go to their
nearby villages. Only about 1,000 remained because
they were still afraid to return to their homes in the
city, or because their houses had been burnt and they
had no house they could call a home.
However, people started coming in again. Very soon
we had 6,000 people who had returned. The city of
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East Timor Welcome
14 15
Just the day before, there had been a battle between the regular army and some run-
away soldiers at the eastern end of the capital, which resulted in two deaths and
several wounded. People panicked and sought refuge in the different convents of
religious congregations. The refugees in Comoro, some of which had been staying
there since the 28th of April, increased. The burning of some houses, and unclear
news of other incidents some kilometres west of the city were reasons enough for
people to stay in their refuge.
Some relief came later in the evening
when the national radio and television
announced the decision of the
government, the diplomats and the
Church to call in peace keeping
forces from New Zealand, Australia,
Portugal and Malaysia. The news said
the soldiers were already on the way
to this troubled country. But still, the
refugees at Don Bosco said, We will
not leave Don Bosco until we see the
foreign soldiers with our own eyes
and the situation under their control.
DILI: 31st May 2006
With more than 1,500 troops now in Dili, Australia was keeping a close eye on the
very difficult situation, things are calmer elsewhere in the island; the Don Bosco
Centre at Comoro has been the setting for a little too much of the action, and the
Salesian Sisters too, have been dealing with large numbers of refugees.
Monday was a bad day. The Chief Executive of World Vision is an Australian Baptist
minister, Rev Tim Costello. He reports: Our staff here have been under fire. Their
compound had to be evacuated. The very work of getting food and water for some
25,000 refugees in three camps, the Don Bosco camp is one we're going to, and two
convents - would be at risk if we had to evacuate, and we now have to make that
decision because of the security situation.
Things took a turn for the worse when World Vision had to evacuate and an
Australian contingent of troops were ordered elsewhere at a critical moment. Just
minutes after the Australian peacekeepers departed from the Catholic mission of Don
Bosco, a gunfight broke out. Two men were shot and wounded.
As Brother Adriano drove the victims to hospital, the vehicle was attacked by a mob
throwing stones, and he was hit on the head. On the main road between the airport
and the city, pitched battles raged all day. At one point Australians soldiers drove by
at great speed in their armoured personnel carriers as a man was dragged from his
car and beaten.
COMORO: 7 June 2006
At 10:30 am, Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva of Dili made a surprise visit to the
school. From the school, the bishop proceeded to the Don Bosco compound to visit
the 15,000 plus refugees. The bishop consoled and encouraged the refugees and
took time to talk with them.
Dili was almost empty as most of the inhabitants had
already gone to their native places in the districts. All
this because of rumours: some said the army had
split between the Westerners and the Easterners, and
there was a fear of an imminent shoot-out. Others
said the police were against the army, but the police
officers we have been able to contact indicated no
such antagonism. Others said the leaders of the land
have already fled the country. People do not know
what to believe.
The Salesians received the refugees with open arms.
Some Salesians went looking for food, others for
shelter, toilets and medical aid. Several NGO’s
approached them, asking what they could do to help.
The government sent a team of doctors to attend to
the sick, and bring in food supplies, water facilities
and portable toilets. Embassies also expressed their
willingness to help. Outside the city of Dili, things are
peaceful.
COMORO: 28th May 2006
As conditions in Dili and beyond continued to be
worrying, two groups of youths and men approached
each other in an ugly and hostile confrontation near
the Don Bosco compound in Dili. Salesians, Fr
Soares, Fr Roque, Bro. Adriano, Sister Ana Freitas
and Sister Maria arrived on the scene to calm them
down.
The groups were armed with an assortment of
weapons: machetes, traditional swords, pieces of
iron pipe, spears, crow bars, pana ambon (a
sharpened 12 cm nail with raffia tail propelled by a
sling shot), lengths of iron chain and rocks. It took
hours of talk, with both sides initially intent on doing
what they planned to do. Even after the talking, the
Salesians and the village leaders still had to stay with
them for a long time, as the groups did not want to
disperse and go home. But in the end, the groups did
disperse to their own areas.
Two days earlier peace-keeping forces from Australia,
New Zealand, Portugal and Malaysia began arriving
in the capital, and were soon deployed. While the
entire city was not yet under their control, the airport
and road leading to the city had been secured. News
reports indicated a lessening in the violence that has
resulted in the deaths of more than 20 people and the
further torching of homes and businesses.
COMORO-DILI: 29th May 2006
The procession from the church to Our Lady’s grotto
a kilometre away and the Mass in honour of Mary
Help of Christians went on as scheduled on 24th May.
I praise you for your courage, Fr. Manuel Fraile, the
pastor of the Parish of Mary Help of Christians, told
the congregation, you came in spite of the overcast
skies and the happenings around us. In fact, when I
consulted some of you earlier this afternoon whether
it would be wiser to cancel the procession and Mass
at the grotto and have a simple Mass inside the
church, you told me to go ahead as scheduled, as you
were prepared make a little sacrifice under the rain.
Not only the procession and Mass went on
uneventfully, but also the procession going back to
the church, the reception and short programme after
the Mass. There was only one problem: Bishop
Alberto Ricardo da Silva could not come to celebrate
the Mass because he was asked by the President of
the Republic to attend a meeting to discuss the
worsening situation in the country.
Milan - 29th May 2006
The Italian magazine for Christian apologetics, Il Timone (The Helm) awarded
Cardinal Zen the title Defensor Fidei (Defender of the Faith). The award carries with
it a sum of €10,000 which the Cardinal says will help provide lodging for young
people visiting next July, when Hong Kong hosts the Asian World Youth Day events.
The title is carefully worded to distinguish itself, no doubt, from the title Fidei
Defensor which still appears on British-minted coins (with the initials FD) and was first
granted by Pope Leo X to King Henry VIII for a book he claimed authorship of, in
defence of the Seven Sacraments.
Hong Kong - 4th June 2006
Many Catholics of Hong Kong
were on the streets to
commemorate the 15th
anniversary of the student
demonstrations in Tiananmen
Square (4th June 1989 in
Peking). The streets of the
former British colony were
filled with demonstrators in
defence of democracy and of
freedom: they assembled in
Victoria Park with candles,
songs and readings. Cardinal Zen asked Catholics to resist those who do not respect
the principle one country, two systems1 and who threaten freedom of expression. The
Cardinal said that Hong Kong has experienced its own 4th June this year when their
hopes for a full democracy in the elections of 2007-2008 were blocked by Peking. In
April, the Standing Committee of the Chinese Parliament had blocked every step
towards a greater democracy, violating the principle of one country two systems that
guaranteed greater autonomy for Hong Kong. The Cardinal said:
On our 4th June, no blood was shed, nor did they shoot at us. But with equal
violence the guardians of the Basic Law came to lecture us about patriotism and
some of them even insisted that Hong Kong wanted to declare itself independent.
He also emphasised the importance of the march on 1st July, the anniversary of the
transfer of Hong Kong to China:
Marching, he said, allows people to express their own feelings. Not giving them
the opportunity to protest runs the risk of producing even more chaos.
After six years Cardinal Joseph Zen, was readmitted to Shanghai. He made a three
day visit to his native city in mainland China. It is the first time that Cardinal Zen, one
of the most openly vocal critics of the Beijing government, had been allowed to
return to Shanghai since he became Bishop six years ago. He was able to visit the
seminary where he used to teach, and visit his brother-in-law’s grave with his sister.
On his return he said that the invitation to visit Shanghai was a sign of openness on
the part of the new leadership:
I hope it may be a first step forward.
1 In 1984, Deng Xiaoping proposed to apply the principle of One country, two systems to Hong Kong, despite the practice
of socialism in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, could continue to practice capitalism under a high degree of
autonomy for fifty years after reunification.
Our New Salesian Cardinal
DON BOSCO TODAYDON BOSCO TODAY
When the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez
introduced the newly appointed Cardinal
Joseph Zen Ze-kiun SDB, to the community
of the Salesian headquarters in Rome, he
said, The Salesian Congregation is proud of
this appointment since it is a recognition of
the Episcopal ministry carried out by Joseph
Zen in the diocese of Hong Kong and a gift
for a province which this year is celebrating
the centenary of the presence of the
Salesians in China.
The new Cardinal, in his turn, shared how he felt
when he learned of his appointment as Cardinal,
I was confused; but knowing that it was not for me
but for China and the Church in China I no longer
hesitated.
He spoke about his family background,
I was born into a Catholic family, my parents were
baptised while they were attending secondary
school. My father wanted to become a priest, but
the missionary who baptised him said he should
get married and send his son to the seminary.
Cardinal Zen described his father’s commitment to
educating him in the faith, and the poverty the family
suffered during the war. As a result of his father’s
illness, he had turned to the Salesians in order to
pursue his Church studies.
Cardinal Zen recalled, with great enthusiasm, the
atmosphere in those school days,
In spite of the restrictions imposed by the war,
there was so much happiness, it seemed like
heaven! When we sang and acted on the stage, we
forgot our hunger!
He recalled his studies of theology in Turin,
The house was poor but we had saints among us,
Fr Quadrio, Fr Bertetto, all great Salesians who
taught us and gave us good example.
After a few years, having returned to his Province, he
was called to teach philosophy and theology in a
seminary on mainland China. It was a great privilege,
teaching the seminarians,
I see my appointment as Cardinal as an honour for
the Chinese people and the Church which over the
years has patiently maintained the faith.
The Catholic Patriotic Church (CPA), in China, is a
schism from the Catholic Church. The full Roman
Catholic Church, in communion with the Pope, does
exist in mainland China, although its members are
subject to official harassment, and some leaders have
been jailed. In mainland China there are about 4
million members of the CPA, and 12 million members
of the authentic (underground) Catholic Church,
defined as being in communion with the Vatican.
However, the two have considerable overlap, and up
to 70 percent of the priests in the official church, it is
estimated, may have also been reconciled with the
Vatican and secretly part of the unofficial church. The
Vatican recognizes the validity of Holy Orders and
other sacraments, such as the Eucharist, in the CPA
because the bishops are episcopal successors of a
bishop who received valid orders before the
emergence of the schism.
16 17
Sister Elizabeth McLaughlan
1907 - 2006
18 19
DON BOSCO TODAYDON BOSCO TODAY
Salesian News from the East
Yangon: 2nd June 2006
With just 45 Salesians, the relatively new Vice
Province of Myanmar was amongst the smallest of
the Salesian Vice Provinces around the world. The
FMA Vice Province of Cambodia-Myanmar has just
25 Sisters. Now, with the first profession of eight SDB
novices and four FMA novices, there has been a great
leap forward for the Salesian Family in this small, but
significant part of the world. The places of the eight
first professed SDBs were taken by nine new novices
and those of the four FMAs by five new novices.
These are being followed by another 23 pre-novices,
and aspirants. The Superior of the Vice Province, Fr
Joachim Ye Maung has announced the intention of
the Rector Major to visit Myanmar in February 2007,
for the Golden Jubilee of the Seminary.
Bangkok: 8th May 2006
Vocations, in the Thai province continue to show
signs of growth. The month of May began with a
welcome ceremony for four new novices at Sampran,
followed by a Mass during which five young brothers
renewed their temporary vows. Three of these will
head off to practical training once the new school
year opens, which will be within the next fortnight.
Their presence in the formation communities will also
be a stimulus for other young hopefuls.
Korea: May 2006
May 5th -7th has been a special weekend at Salesian
High School in Kwangju. 51 priest past-pupils were
invited to return to their old school for its celebration
of 50 years of pastoral and educational service in this
city of 1.4 million people, and archdiocese of 250,000
Catholics. The priests are spread out across all seven
dioceses of Korea and overseas, ministering to
Korean communities, for example, in Melbourne,
Australia and Tampa, Florida. The number includes
seven Salesians.
Currently Kwangju Salesian High has 1,600 students,
a community of seven Salesians and around 100
staff. It has a reputation for being amongst the best
schools in the city in academic terms, and plays a
leading role in youth ministry and faith education in
South Korea's Catholic High School system. Around
60 students are baptised annually, after a two-year
preparation.
May 5th, the beginning of the Jubilee celebrations,
was an important date in Korea, the birthday of Lord
Buddha (a movable feast in the Buddhist world) so it
was also a national holiday. It became an opportunity
for a special school festival organised by the past
pupils with current students as volunteers. The
income from this day will go to two special projects:
the East Timor scholarship programme, and for poor
youth in Kwangju's Northern district. An estimated
10,000 visitors contributed to these two projects.
May 6th was the Feast of St. Dominic Savio, so this
became an occasion for a feast of gratitude as the
day also marked Foundation Day for the school. The
Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the
Archbishop of Kwangju. Around 20 diocesan priest
past-pupils concelebrated, and of course there were
numerous members of the Salesian Family.
Sister Elizabeth was born on the 6th July 1907. Her two brothers
were sent to the Salesian College in Battersea. Raymond later
became a priest in the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. One
of her two sisters, Molly, entered Carmel although ill-health
forced her to return to the family. Elizabeth was sent to the
Salesian Sisters in Chertsey when she was fourteen. She
showed a special talent for music and played the piano well, a
gift she was to use throughout her life. She asked to join the
Sisters and she made her novitiate in Cowley and was
professed in 1928. After her profession, she returned to
Chertsey where she taught class-singing and gave piano
lessons while continuing her own study of music. Elizabeth
gained a Diploma for piano playing and became an associate
member of the London College of Music in 1934. She spent time with the
boarders, chatting informally with them as she gave out pocket money showing
an interest in the families and holiday plans. She did similar work in Hastings, our
home for children in care.
In 1965 she moved north to Liverpool to join the newly formed community there.
She took charge of the Youth Club. She knew how to combine friendliness and
trust, finding ways to allow the girls to exercise their own sense of responsibility.
She knew how to befriend the girls and develop their confidence in using their
skills and abilities. After twelve years her health began to fail. She retired to
Cowley where she lived for nearly thirty years.
When she first went to Cowley she helped to care for other elderly and sick
Sisters. During these first years, she recorded in her notebook, that she was
impressed by the holy deaths she had witnessed of a number of Sisters, and she
resolved to spend these last years preparing to die well. God gave her plenty of
time for preparation! She never forgot to express her gratitude for any little thing
done for her. Every Christmas she would write a letter of thanks to the Sisters
who were looking after her. She was a strong believer and had a deep devotion
to the Mass and to Our Lady. Even when her health was very poor, she was
grateful to be taken down to Mass. She loved her rosary and wanted it with her
always. In her last months, even her carers got to know that before they left, their
last duty was to hand her rosary beads to her. Because she lived so long, many
of us knew her only as the oldest Sister in the province. She died in the convent
in Cowley on the 9th March.
The presence of some of her past-pupils at her funeral was a reminder of the
active Salesian Sister she had once been. May she rest in peace.
Manila, Philippines The Table of Hope.
Christ breaking bread in the city slums with street
children, a mural the work of a Salesian past pupil
on the outside wall of the diocesan seminary.
Salesian Sisters in the World
A Religious Province consists of
all the local communities in a
particular area who share their
fraternal life and apostolic
projects. (Const. art 143).
At present, there are:
81 Provinces in 89 nations within
the 5 continents, with a total of
1511 local communities.
AFRICA - 438 Sisters (FMA) belonging to 83
Communities, in 22 countries working in:
• Promotional or self-help centres
• Vocational schools and literacy programmes
• Village visitation
• Health centres and dispensaries
• Rural craft centres
• Homes and shelters for young people at risk
• Youth clubs and centres for young people
AMERICA - 4710 Sisters (FMA) belonging to 596
Communities, in 23 countries working in:
• After-school care and free-time activities
• Evening schools to cater for those who are poorer
• Youth clubs and centres for young people
• Professional training and self-help groups
• Mission centres among indigenous peoples and
rural dwellers
• Basic communities
• Communities living in slum areas and on the
margins of large cities
• Shelters and homes for street children
• Collaboration with social administrative structures
that act as a voice in defence of young people
and women
• Private, parish and state schools of every kind and
level
• Promotional and cultural free-time activities
• Religious development and retreat days for young
people and adults
• Rehabilitation centres for problem youth
ASIA - 2118 Sisters (FMA) belonging to 262
Communities, in 18 countries working in:
• Schools of every kind and level
• Small pastoral care centres in remote villages
• Health education and nutrition
• Centres for the advancement of women
• Literacy courses
• Shelters for young girls and women at risk
• Rehabilitation centres for young former drug
addicts
EUROPE - 7416 Sisters (FMA) belonging to 583
Communities, present in 22 countries, working
in:
• Schools of every kind and level
• Shelters and homes for young people and women
at risk
• Youth clubs and centres for young people
• Vocational training centres
OCEANIA - 41 Sisters (FMA) belonging to 11
Communities in 4 countries, working in:
• Private, parish and state schools of every kind and
level
• Promotional and leisure-time cultural activities
• Religious development and retreat days for young
people and adults
• Literacy and rehabilitation of problem youth
• Youth centres
Source http://www.cgfmanet.org
