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
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LBOSCO BRAVES P9 LEARNER P18 COURAGE TO DEFEND P20
Editorial
Dear Friends
The Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Paschal Chávez, has suggested as the
theme for this year 2008:
Let us educate with the Heart of Don Bosco
I am sure many readers will wonder why I chose for the front cover the picture of
Bosco Bear, who appears regularly on our very successful children’s page. The
reason was that I felt it captured something of the Heart of Don Bosco, being
with young people, enjoying their company, bringing joy into their lives. Anyone
who has spent time with young people, away from their usual surroundings, on a
residential retreat, on an adventure holiday, round a camp fire, will appreciate
what a difference such an experience can make to the lives of young people.
Don Bosco’s earliest experience of changing the lives of young people began in
this way. He walked the tight rope, he did conjuring tricks, not just for
entertainment, but to gain their confidence and lead them to an understanding of
the spiritual riches in their lives. The essential starting point of Don Bosco’s
approach was always presence – being with young people.
Fr Chávez expresses it very clearly in these words:
Things have changed so much from Don Bosco’s times. However we have an
approach from him which, in its simplicity, is successful if we find a way to make it
work. Our approach is: to love young people. Don Bosco used to say You achieve
more, with a look of affection, with a word of encouragement than with constant
reproaches.
Loving them is not a theoretical attitude, it means:
• Accepting them as they are.
• Spending time with them.
• Sharing their tastes and interests.
• Demonstrating trust in their ability.
• Tolerating what is a passing mood.
• Quietly forgiving what is involuntary or the result of immaturity.
For Don Bosco, education starts out from the real situation of each person, from
his or her human and religious experience, from his or her anguish and anxieties,
joys and hopes, always favouring experience and witness in the transmission of
faith and values. Its aim is that Jesus may be accepted more as a friend who
saves and makes us children of God, than a lawmaker who loads us up with
dogmas, precepts or rites.
The actual words of the theme for 2008 are:
Let us educate with the heart of Don Bosco to develop to their full potential the
lives of young people, especially the poorest and most disadvantaged, promoting
their rights.
An example of promoting the rights of young people is clearly seen on page 20,
in the work of the Salesian Bishop, Flavio Giovenale in Brazil.
Finally we are reminded that all Don Bosco’s work is based
on the good news of the gospels. Fr Michael Winstanley, our
provincial, offers us a wonderful personal insight into the
Gospel of John in his new book Symbols and Spirituality. This
book makes excellent reading for Lent and the Easter
Season.
2 3
DON BOSCO TODAY DON BOSCO TODAY
DON BOSCO PUBLICATIONS
Thornleigh House, Sharples Park, Bolton, BL1 6PQ
Tel 01204 308811
Fax 01204 306868
Email: michael@salesians.org.uk
SALESIAN MISSIONS
Fr Joe Brown SDB
2 Orbel Street, Battersea, SW11 2 NZ
Tel 020 7924 2733
Email: donbosco@btconnect.com
Sister Helen Murphy FMA
Provincial Office
13 Streatham Common North, Streatham, London SW16 3HG
Tel 0208 677 4573 Fax 0208 677 4523
Email: provincialoffice.fma@ukonline.co.uk
DESIGN AND PRINTING
Printoff Graphic Arts Limited Tel 01282 877922
Printed on paper manufactured from a sustainable source
using vegetable based inks
ARTWORK
Val O’Brien
CHILDREN’S PAGE
Cliff Partington
WEBSITES WORTH VISITING
Our Province Web Site www.salesians.org.uk
Don Bosco Publications www.don-bosco-publications.co.uk
Salesians in Rome www.sdb.org
Salesian News Agency www.sdb.org/ANS
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
Contents
Name
Address
Postcode
Tel
Fax
Email
MY DONATION TO THE WORK OF DON BOSCO
Please find enclosed my donation of
Taxpayer’s Option
Please send me a Gift Aid form
Charity Number 233779
Anthony Bailey SDB
Editor
Email: a.bailey@salesians.org.uk
Don Bosco 4
Proud to be a Salesian 6
We Remember 8
Bosco’s Braves 9
Text A Day 17
What did I Learn 18
The Courage to Defend 20
Responsible Citizens 22
For Old Age 24
To donate by credit or debit card please
telephone 01204 308811
Cheque made payable to
DON BOSCO PUBLICATIONS
4 5
It seems to me that the words of the Holy Gospel which
speak to us of the Divine Saviour come down from
heaven to earth to gather together all the children of
God scattered all over the world, could be applied
literally to the young people of our times. They
constitute the most vulnerable yet valuable section of
human society. We base our hopes for the future on
them, and they are not of their nature depraved. Were
it not for struggling parents, idleness, mixing in bad
company, it would be so easy to inculcate in their
young hearts the principles of order, of good
behaviour, of respect, of religion, because if they
are ruined at that age, it is due more to
carelessness than to ingrained malice. These
young people truly have need of some kind
person who will take care of them, work with
them, guide them in virtue, keep them away
from vice.
When teachers are thought of as superior and
no longer as fathers, brothers and friends;
they are feared and little loved. And so if
you want everyone to be of one heart and
soul again for the love of Jesus you must
break down this fatal barrier of mistrust,
and replace it with a spirit of
confidence in you.
How then are we to set about breaking down
this barrier? By a friendly informal relationship with
the young, especially in recreation. You cannot have
love without this familiarity, and where this is not
evident there can be no confidence. If you want to be
loved, you must make it clear that you love. Jesus Christ
made himself little with the little ones and bore our
weaknesses. He is our master in the matter of the
friendly approach.
Don Bosco
1883 Don Bosco 2008
DON BOSCO TODAY DON BOSCO TODAY
Every year the Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez, offers us a theme for the
year, this year the theme is Let us educate with the heart
of Don Bosco. Fr Chávez explains what this theme means.
There is a word, not much in use today, which describes
Don Bosco's heart, sums up what Don Bosco learned
and advised: that word is loving-kindness. Its source is
charity, as the Gospel presents it, for which the educator
takes account of God’s plan in the life of each youngster
and helps him or her to be aware of it and to bring it about
with the same liberating and magnanimous love with which
God loves us. It is a friendship nurtured through gestures
of familiarity. In turn it creates confidence: and confidence
is everything in education, because only when the young
person entrusts us with their secrets is it possible to
interact, only when he or she opens the door of their
heart can we communicate values, noble sentiments and
high ideals.
Educators need to understand their own times and how to
adapt to them, with the creativity of an artist. Don Bosco
was a true artist of loving-kindness: by building trust
through familiarity and friendship he made himself loved.
This had to be appreciated by young people. Don Bosco
used to say, It is not enough to love the young. They must
feel that they are loved. This does not mean giving way
to them or adopting unacceptable approaches.
It is a firm kindness.
Prevention is the art of educating in a positive way, proposing
what is good in an attractive way; it is the art of acting so that
young people grow from within, with inner freedom, not mere
superficial conformism; it is the art of winning over hearts so
they go on cheerfully doing good, correcting their mistakes,
preparing them for the future.
It is not enough to communicate; we must communicate
ourselves. If we just teach a concept, but not communicate
ourselves, we are teaching but not educating. We need to love what we
communicate and those we are communicating with.
We must not only form the mind, but also the heart, which must remain positive,
faced with the challenges that culture and education of the young constantly
pose. For this reason, we have to cherish our vocation as educators and the
educational process in all its dignity, which means helping young people
develop all their potential, to the point of becoming real people.
Fr Pascual Chávez Villanueva
6 7
The question is often asked, even by other members of
the Salesian Family, What do the Salesian Cooperators
do? Perhaps the asking of this question demonstrates
the misconceptions that many have of the vocation. I
would say that there is not much that we Salesian
Cooperators do not do, and then focus attention on
why we do what we do, and the choices we make by
living out our vocation.
The key to understanding the life of a Cooperator is to
realise that the personal commitment that each of us
makes transcends the membership of a local centre.
The promise I make gives a clear indication of how
being a Cooperator is very different from membership
of other organisations. When making my promise, I am
committing myself, in the presence of God, to carrying
out Don Bosco’s mission of salvation of the young and
the poor to the best of my ability, whatever my personal
circumstances. Living out that promise is the vocation I
have signed up to for life.
It should be possible to see that living out of the
promise will be unique for each Cooperator, and that,
due to changes in personal circumstances through
age, family or work the choice of action for each one
can change significantly over time. Salesian
Cooperators live out their mission on many different
levels. Firstly, at a personal level, often within the family,
secondly within their ordinary circumstances of work
and thirdly, through collaboration with the Salesian
Family in practical projects for the young and the poor.
Many of us choose to work directly with young people,
whilst others are best placed to provide support
through prayer and charitable work to help fund the
work of the Salesian Family within this country and
abroad.
The phrase Charity begins at home has a clear parallel
in the Cooperator’s life. I have to make clear choices
about how I live my life, based on Gospel values, and
implemented through the inspiration of Don Bosco. For
me, as a Cooperator, the three elements of the
Preventive System form a significant part of my family
life. The Cooperator, as a parent or grandparent, leads
by example, faithful in the power of daily prayer and the
importance of the sacraments. The kindness shown to
all, especially the young is a true Salesian
characteristic. By foregoing any repressive forms of
discipline with their own children, but instead using the
power of reason, the Cooperator parent endeavours to
make their home as welcoming as the Oratories of Don
Bosco. A perfect example for many Cooperators would
be Mamma Margaret, through her endless devotion to
her son, and also her complete selflessness in helping
Don Bosco raise the many boys he had taken in. For
many Cooperators, living out their vocation is about
remaining true to the vision of Don Bosco within their
own homes.
A Cooperator is also called to consider their vocation
within their everyday lives outside of the family. In their
workplaces a Cooperator is called to uphold Gospel
values, and to show a particular attention to those just
starting out in work. This can present a real challenge
due to the demanding nature of modern work, where
the values of the company may not be in direct
correlation with those of the Gospel. A Cooperator is
called to take an active part in the social, economic
and political life of their society. Again, the challenges
that this presents are obvious, but all the time a
Cooperator has the mission of Don Bosco at their
heart, primarily considering the interests and needs of
young people in their actions.
When working with young people, Cooperators strive to
do so in a very Salesian way, whatever they are
undertaking. Again the Preventive System is an
inspiration to them, and the concept of Presence with
the young is very near to their hearts. Due to their
calling, Cooperators of any age have a natural way with
young people, sharing laughter and play with them,
and using reason, religion and kindness to teach the
difference between right and wrong.
The Salesian Cooperators vocation is about ordinary
people living ordinary lives, inspired by the Gospel and
the mission of Don Bosco. Cooperators are devoted to
Don Bosco, but are not simply an appreciation society.
They are called to put into action the teachings that are
available to them, particularly wherever there are young
and poor. They choose to do this in a way best suited
to their own circumstances in life. They combine a
personal lifestyle which reflects Gospel values, along
with a real desire to do all they can to be practical
people, working with the Salesian Family to give young
people opportunities in life that might have passed
them by.
Daniel Sharp
DON BOSCO TODAY DON BOSCO TODAY
Don Bosco had a concept of the Salesian
Cooperators as his co-workers, working
alongside priests and sisters fulfilling the
mission he had started. Whilst in certain
situations this may still be true, it is very much
more the case, that today, especially in the
United Kingdom, many Cooperators spend a
lot of time working independently of the other
members of the Salesian Family. In these
circumstances, it is more difficult to describe
this vocation. Even I, as a Salesian Cooperator,
have difficulty putting into words the meaning of
my vocation.
Proud to be a Salesian
What does that mean?
I am not a priest
I am not a religious brother
I am a Salesian Cooperator
DON BOSCO TODAY DON BOSCO TODAY
8 9
The Bear Facts
Hello Children
My friends and I have decided to invite groups of children
to our forest for an adventure holiday. They should have a treemendous time.
As well as having fun they will learn how to look after themselves:
making their own bed, packing their own bag, cooking, washing
up. They will become more grown-up.
The children will be put into 4 groups,
1. The Chunky Monkeys
2. The Groovy Girls
3. Bosco’s Braves
4. The Cool Cats
I am looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy themselves. I’m also looking
forward to campside food. I love my grub! Rio wants a good laugh. He thinks
he’s funny but not everyone agrees! Molly hopes the visitors will learn some
new skills and Suzi hopes there aren’t any accidents.
Rio has been practising some magic to entertain the children.
I’m going to do my water in the glass trick, he said.
Rio put a glass of water on the table and put a tea-towel over it.
Right, he said. I’m going to drink the water without touching the towel.
Impossible, I said.
Rio knelt on the floor, went under the table, put his face to where the bottom of
the glass was and began to make drinking
sounds….glug….glug….glug….glug.
That’s it, he announced.
Never! I don’t believe it, I said. I whipped off the towel and said, There!
The water is still in the glass.
Rio picked up the glass and drank the water.
I told you I could drink the water without touching the tea-towel,
he said with a huge smile on his face!
I was lost for words, which was unusual!
AUTUMN COMPETITION
The winner of the autumn magazine competition Words in Words
was NAT ROOHAN from Astley Bridge in Bolton with 58 words. Well
done Nat, and he received a copy of one of our most popular books 101
Saints and Special People.
Thanks to everyone who entered the competition and we hope you submit an
entry for the puzzle in this magazine.
Pat’s home was the family farm in Ballyskea, County
Galway, as one of twelve children. His was a hard but
very happy childhood. He became a Salesian novice in
Beckford, near Gloucester at the age of 18, and was
ordained in 1952. Pat was a devoted teacher. He was
keen to see his students do well, always encouraging
the best, even out of the most underachieving of pupils.
Pat had always been good at sport so he took teams
for soccer and hockey. But many will simply remember
him for his presence in the yard before school and at
lunchtime: showing interest, giving an encouraging
word, adopting an air of mock seriousness while telling
a joke. In total, Pat was to teach at the Salesian
College, Battersea, for 27 years. But in 1986 came his
retirement from the classroom at the age of 65. In
September 1987 Pat joined the newly formed Parish
Team, in Battersea, with Fr Dennis and myself and with
it began one of the most pastorally fruitful periods of his
priestly life.
Pat was one of those members of the community who
would toss in a few controversial words and then
quietly withdraw leaving the rest fighting it out. He
wasn't naturally a reflective person, but he was a deeply
prayerful man. He was totally committed to his Salesian
priesthood, on fire with a faith first formed on Celtic
shores, and I am sure that over his 67 years of Salesian
and priestly life, Pat’s unity with the Lord brought about
a transformation in many hidden, inner ways we would
find hard to imagine. The fruit of Pat's service, in union
with the Lord, is seen in the many, many, people who
have been blessed by his ministry; helped to live life to
the full. In recent years, at Salesian funerals, Pat and I
would wander round the gravestones together and
remember with affection all those who had gone
before. He was always so grateful for his Salesian
Vocation and from his hospital bed expressed his
thanks for all he had received from his Salesian life. My
abiding memory is his smile and the kindly welcome at
every meeting. We all loved him a lot. I think Fr Pat
always saw himself as merely a small cog in a much
bigger concern. Even now he is probably slightly
embarrassed at being the centre of the Lord's attention.
But the things once invisible are now visible. What was
hidden is now revealed in glory. Patrick, enter into the
joy of your Lord!
Fr Peter Brealy SDB
Fr Pat McGrath SDB
1921 - 2007
Every day, Fr Pat, a faithful disciple, would join Jesus his Lord and
Master on the hill of the Beatitudes and following the gaze of the
Lord, would look into the eyes of those in need. This man on a
mission in his flat cap and black coat was on his way to seek out
those who were hungry for encouragement, a kind word, a cheerful
greeting. He found them in the school yard, in the staff room, on the
street, in the care home, on the hospital ward. Each, in their own
way, came to know the Lord's blessing through the presence of a
kindly, gentle, son of Don Bosco.
Bosco Bear
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DON BOSCO TODAY
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Early one morning:
Toot-toot-toot, went Bosco’s horn.
Rise and shine campers, he shouted. It was 7 o’clock, time to get cracking.
The Chunky Monkeys (led by Molly) were on the Jacob’s Ladder, which was
made of logs set a metre apart. You couldn’t climb up unless someone helped
you.
Give me a hand, shouted one boy.
I’ve only got two and I need them both, joked
another. Pull… push… heave… help!
And one after another they reached the top.
One boy said he cold manage on his
own. He managed to fall off!
The Bosco Braves were canoeing. They
had painted their faces like Red Indians.
You could bearly tell who they were as
they whizzed down the River Snake.
Bosco was in a canoe
with a little
girl called
Libby.
Keep an
eye out for rocks
and don’t forget the waterfall, said Bosco.
The waterfall! shouted Libby. She turned
round suddenly to look and the canoe
wobbled, and really wobbled, and oh no -
CAPSIZED!
Luckily Bosco was an expert canoeist and a
very good swimmer and he did an Eskimo
Roll using his paddle and the canoe went
right over and came up again! Libby didn’t
know whether to laugh or cry.
Catapulting, capsizing canoes! said Bosco.
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NEW BOOK from
Fr Michael T Winstanley SDB
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DON BOSCO TODAY
Michael Winstanley is a Salesian of Don Bosco. He is a
graduate of the Salesian Pontifical University (Rome) and
London University. He has lectured in biblical studies at
Ushaw College, Durham. He has given retreats in many
countries and been involved in a variety of adult education
programmes. He is presently Provincial of the Salesians of
Don Bosco in Great Britain.
In this book, Michael has achieved a remarkable
marriage between a serious and accurate reading
of the text of the Gospel itself, a close familiarity
with contemporary scholarship, and the eminently
human, yet symbolic, religious and spiritual world
in which we all live. Michael adds a further
element to his exploration of John’s Gospel -
himself! With great courage he shares some of
his most treasured experiences.
Symbols and Spirituality speaks to anyone who
wants to know how the sacred text of the Gospel
of John, so treasured within the Christian tradition,
has spoken to the minds and hearts of Christians
for 2000 years. It is an invitation to a better
understanding of myself, of ourselves, and of our
relationships, as individuals and communities, with
God and with one another.
As always with Michael’s writing, every sentence
has been thought through, and every image
carefully sculptured. This book is a delight to read.
Francis Moloney
176 page paper-back with 12 black & white symbolic illustrations by Val O’Brien.
Price £12 including p&p.
Ideal companion volume Don Bosco's Gospel Way Price £7 including p&p.
DON BOSCO PUBLICATIONS BOOKLIST
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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.
£7
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.
£7
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 recounts
how his convictions cost him his
life.
Paperback with 8 coloured
illustrations.
£7
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
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.
£5
GOD OF
MANY
FACES
M Renshaw
FMA
Reflective
verses.
Paperback.
£3
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.
£7
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.
£5
DON BOSCO’S
GOSPEL WAY
M T Winstanley
SDB
A fascinating
exploration of the
scriptural
background which
underpins Don Bosco’s Way.
Paperback.
£7
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.
£5
ROSIE GOES
TO CHURCH
DVD
A DVD based
on the book
Rosie goes to
Church.
£9
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.
£5
ROSIE AND KATIE
GO TO MASS
Kathleen Pearce
Parents who have
difficulty explaining the
Mass to their children
will welcome this informative book.
Hardback – fully illustrated in
colour.
£5
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.
£5
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.
£12
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.
£6
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.
£5
CHLOE AND JACK
VISIT THE VATICAN
Kathleen Pearce
A children’s guide to
the Vatican.
Hardback – fully
illustrated in colour.
£5
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.
£6
Serving the Young
Our CatholicSchools Today
Jim Gallagher SDB
DON BOSCO PUBLICATIONS
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.
£4
MOVING ON
Margaret Joan
Cooke
These poems are
as varied in the
topics they
address as they are
in style from the sombrely
thoughtful to the playful.
Hardback.
£6
Moving On
Margaret Joan Cooke
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.
£6
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.
£5
!
R e d u c t i o n s
a v a i l a b l e
f o r m u l t i p l e
c o p i e s -
P h o n e 0 1 2 0 4 3 0 8 8 1 1
P R I C E S R E V I S E D
T O I N C L U D E
PA C K I N G &
N E W P O S TA L
R AT E S
DON BOSCO TODAY DON BOSCO TODAY
P R I C E L I S T - S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 - A l l p r i c e s i n c l u d e p o s t a g e a n d p a c k i n g
I would like to order:- Author QTY Price
each
SYMBOLS AND SPIRITUALITY Reflecting on John’s Gospel M. Winstanley SDB 12.00
LOST & FOUND M. Cunningham SDB 7.00
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION D O’Malley SDB 7.00
THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER D O’Malley SDB 5.50
101 SAINTS AND SPECIAL PEOPLE Lives of Saints for children K Pearce 12.00
A TIME FOR COMPASSION M Cunningham SDB 7.00
CHLOE AND JACK VISIT THE VATICAN a children’s guide to the Vatican K Pearce 5.00
DON BOSCO The friend of children and young people K Pearce 5.00
DON BOSCO’S GOSPEL WAY Reflections on the life of Don Bosco M Winstanley SDB 7.00
DON’T ORGANISE MY TEARS Reflections on bereavement A Bailey SDB 6.00
GOD OF MANY FACES Reflective verses M Renshaw FMA 3.00
GOOD NEWS IN THE FAMILY The life of Jesus in story form K Pearce 5.00
MAMMA MARGARET The Life of Don Bosco’s Mother Teresio Bosco SDB 7.00
MEMORY GAME based on ‘101 Saints and Special People’ K Pearce 6.00
MOVING ON Book of reflective poetry Margaret J Cooke 6.00
OUR COLOURFUL CHURCH YEAR K Pearce 5.00
ORDINARY WAYS Spiritual reflections for teachers & youth leaders D O’Malley SDB 5.00
PRAYERS TO CLOSE THE DAY D O’Malley SDB 5.00
PRAYERS TO START THE DAY D O’Malley SDB 4.00
ROSIE AND KATIE GO TO MASS K Pearce 5.00
DVD ROSIE GOES TO CHURCH A child’s guide to the church K Pearce 9.00
BOOK ROSIE GOES TO CHURCH A child’s guide to the church K Pearce 5.00
SEAN DEVEREUX A life given for Africa 1964-1993 M Delmer SDB 7.00
SERVING THE YOUNG Our Catholic Schools Today J Gallagher SDB 6.00
TEACHER, TEACH US TO PRAY for use in primary schools W Acred FMA 5.00
THE WITNESSES Seven witnesses narrate their part in the Passion W Acred FMA 4.00
TRUST THE ROAD 2nd edition with coloured illustrations D O’Malley SDB 6.00
VIA LUCIS How to pray the stations of the Resurrection D O’Malley SDB 7.00
WITHIN & WITHOUT Renewing Religious Life M Cunningham SDB 7.00
TOTAL
Symbols and
Spirituality
DON’T
ORGANISE MY
TEARS
Tony Bailey SDB
A beautifully
produced book of
reflections written
to help people
cope with bereavement.
Paperback fully illustrated.
£6
LOST AND FOUND
Michael Cunningham
SDB
No human words can
ever describe the
mystery of God, This
book rediscovers that
religion is not, primarily, a
doctrinal or moral matter but a
mystical one. Paperback.
£7
THE CHRISTIAN
TEACHER
David O’Malley SDB
The heart of this book is the
relationship between
teachers, their colleages
and their pupils. In the
vocation to teach we need a deeper
insight to see that it is well worth going
the extra mile.
Paperback illustrated.
£5.50
CHRISTIAN
LEADERSHIP
David O’Malley SDB
This is the practical book to
help leaders in Christian
communities. It aims to
strengthen their awareness
of the spiritual dimension of leadership
in school and youth groups. A useful
companion to “The Christian Teacher”.
Paperback illustrated.
£7
W H E N Y O U B U Y
M O R E T H A N £ 2 5
W O R T H O F B O O K S
W E W I L L G I V E Y O U
A N O T H E R B O O K
F R E E
In 9 Languages.
Rio’s Cool Cats
were doing
archery. Rio
thought he was
Robin Hood!
He wore all-
green clothes,
even green
trainers!
Come on kids, he
said. I’ll show you
how to hit a bull’s eye.
Rio took aim and fired. He just about hit the target.
Next to go was a little girl called Ella. She took aim and hit the bull’s eye!
Oh! E-r-r-r, good shot, said Rio, trying to sound pleased.
Suzi was in charge of the Groovy Girls doing abseiling. She was really
frightened but the children said, Come on Miss, if we can do it so
can you. Suzi wanted to join in. I’ve got to, she thought. I’ll
close my eyes and say a prayer! She climbed to the top of
the steps, put on the harness, leaned back and down she
went. She was so proud of herself!
Late in the evening:
Everyone was warm and dry again and they met
around the campfire for supper.
Yum…mee! Yum…eee! said Bosco. He liked his food!
Sausages, bacon, beans, toast, cake, bacon, beans,
sausages, toast, sausages, bacon and beans.
Great!
DON BOSCO TODAY
15
C
h
il
d
re
n
’s
S
e
c
ti
o
n
THE WITNESSES
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 sheet
and cards for seven
different readers.
£3 inc p&p
EASTER
HOLY WEEK
&
VIA LUCIS
A beautifully illustrated book to
treasure or to give as an Easter
gift..
Hardback £7 inc p&p
D
O
N
B
O
S
C
O
P
U
B
L
IC
A
T
IO
N
S
G
O
O
D
B
O
O
K
S
-
G
O
O
D
N
E
W
S
-
G
O
O
D
P
R
E
S
E
N
T
S
!
ORDER FORM - SPRING 2008
DON BOSCO PUBLICATIONS, THORNLEIGH HOUSE, SHARPLES PARK, BOLTON BL1 6PQ
Tel. 01204 308811 Fax 01204 306868 Email michael@salesians.org.uk www.don-bosco-publications.co.uk
Further details of all our books are given on this site
REDUCTIONS AVAILABLE FOR BOOKSHOPS, CHURCH REPOSITORIES & MULTIPLE COPIES.
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or go to our website www.don-bosco-publications.co.uk
DON BOSCO TODAY
17
DON BOSCO TODAY
Text a day
I had just returned from a conference in Rome on Evangelisation in Europe,
where the Rector Major had challenged us to go home and do something
different to make a difference. I asked one or two members of the Youth
Ministry Team about texting a Thought for the Day, and we thought if 30
people signed up it would be a success. (Currently there are 910 people).
Fr Bob Gardner SDB
Comments on text a day
DON BOSCO TODAY
16
Team Work
When you have a group of people trying to do something it is very important
that they help one another. Team-work is something to learn as soon as
possible. When you get older, and get a job, many of the people you work with
won’t be your own friends but, at work, you all have to pull together.
At the same time as helping the team, however, each person has to do his or
her best and to do that you need to develop your skills to do different things.
Outdoor centres help young people to be more organised, more careful, tidier,
and more confident.
If you want to be a good team member you have to work hard: you must never
give up and if something is difficult (if you are losing) you have to try even
harder. You never moan at your team-mates but you do help them by saying
Well done! or Hard luck! or Come on, we can do it! This is LEADERSHIP.
I was in a team once and someone said the best thing about being in this team
is being in this team. And it was true!
Spot the Differences Competition.
C
h
il
d
re
n
’s
S
e
c
ti
o
n
!
Name
Address
Postcode
Send your entries on the form below to: DON BOSCO PUBLICATIONS
Thornleigh House, Sharples Park, Bolton, BL1 6PQ
Email: boscobear@salesians.org.uk
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
I love getting a text everyday as it helps me in
my spiritual journey.
May I thank you for the wonderful refreshing
texts you send each day.
Hi. I really appreciate the texts you send me;
they really help me in the day ahead.
Just to say thank you for the refreshing quote
every morning.
The teenage angels that I work with now create
their own quote of the week!
Your messages bring hope, courage and
friendship very near.
I think it’s a great way of spreading words that
could change someone’s life.
Your texts in the morning are like a breath of
fresh air.
Thank you so much for daily texts. I often forward
them to my family.
Thank you so much for texts. They keep my faith
alive!
It has changed my life so much. I now have a real
relationship with God. Thank you.
The texts add something special to each day.
Don Bosco would have signed up too.
Some of the texts come through at exactly the
right time. Your service is valued.
Can you send me a nice message ‘cause Spurs
lost to United. Thanks!
I love receiving your beautiful texts each day.
Great to start each day with something to reflect
on. Thank you.
I think this is a fantastic service! I wouldn’t be
without my daily Salesian text.
I’m sure Don Bosco is very proud of you.
Your texts are really very good and they are very
interesting as well.
This is so popular in our family.
Thank you. May God richly bless you all, and the
work you do for Him.
Your inspirational messages are wonderful. God
Bless.
Thank you for your daily reminder of how God so
loves the world.
I often find your messages give me a lift in a
morning.
Your texts fill me with hope and inspiration.
Texts are fab! Thanks xxx
The service is aimed at young people at
Secondary School, and adults
To sign up for the service –
text ‘Interested’ to 07939891422
18 19
DON BOSCO TODAY DON BOSCO TODAY
What did you learn from your father?
From dad I learned the value of patience, gentleness
and the desire to do well whatever I’m doing. Also how
important it is to support and encourage, whilst
respecting individuality and freedom.
What did you learn from your mother?
From mum I learned to pray, to have God in the centre
of my life, to care about others, and to seek always to
be true and genuine.
What did you learn from studying in Italy?
How enriching it can be to live alongside and make
friends with people from different geographical areas
and cultures, and what a lasting impact a good teacher
can have on your life. I also realised that I could enjoy
Italian food and wine!
What did you learn from teaching in a
seminary?
I learned that I am far from comfortable with certain
aspects of the institutional Church, especially
clericalism. I came to realise how much I enjoy
teaching scripture, and how much at home I am with
that age group. I came to appreciate the idealism,
goodness, generosity and high quality of so many
young men.
What did you learn from the young
volunteers you worked with in the retreat
house?
I learned that it is not only possible for young people
and Salesians to live and work together, but that it is
also energising, creative, enriching and good fun. I
experienced the thrill of seeing the volunteers grow in
confidence; develop new skills and leadership qualities.
I became more sensitive to their struggles too.
What did you learn from being Provincial
of the Salesian Province?
I learned to appreciate and admire the deep humanity,
religious commitment, and dedication to young people
of the Salesians of the province. I came to see my role
as listening, encouraging, supporting and enabling. I
have also become more in touch with the European
and international dimensions of our congregation. I
gratefully acknowledge the vibrancy and professional
quality of our ministries, our willingness to collaborate,
our openness, and I’m filled with wonder at what Don
Bosco unleashed into the world.
What did you learn from your friends?
From my friends I have learned that it’s OK for me to be
me! Also how difference can be enriching, and how
important it is to be able to share, to trust, and to
accept people as they are. And how beautiful and life-
giving friendship is.
What did you learn from your mistakes?
That it isn’t necessary to be infallible. That
acknowledging my mistakes actually builds up trust
and enhances relationships. That people are very
understanding and forgiving.
What did you learn from writing the book
Symbols and Spirituality?
The writing of Symbols and Spirituality has confirmed
my appreciation and excitement about John’s Gospel,
and my conviction that it can be both fascinating and
life-giving. I have realised again how much I enjoy
studying and researching the Gospels, and how easily I
become absorbed in it all. I’ve learned again how
valuable the criticism and suggestions of others can
be. For the first time I’ve come to know how demanding
publications can be for the editor!
What did I learn?
Fr Michael T Winstanley SDB
Our Salesian Provincial “
“
I’m filled with wonder at what Don
Bosco unleashed into the world
2120
DON BOSCO TODAY DON BOSCO TODAY
The Child Protection Council soon discovered that this
dreadful incident was the tip of an iceberg of
corruption, drugs, and a conspiracy of silence involving
a network including the civil Police (and in part also the
Military Police), drug dealers, the Judicial system and
the Government of the State of Parà. The intervention of
the Child Protection Council, an official body
responsible for the defence and care of children and
adolescents, created and maintained thanks also to the
efforts of the Diocese, brought public attention to the
incident and an official enquiry was launched.
Bishop Flavio Giovenale SDB of Abaetetuba in the
State of Parà in Brazil, intervened through diocesan
structures, condemning those involved in the case of
the girl. Avoiding the attention of the major media, the
Bishop focused on certain key areas. He met with with
representatives of the Institutions involved: The Courts
of Justice, the Civil Police, Military Police, and the
Lawyers’ Association of Brazil. Also taking part in the
meeting was a personal representative of President
Lula, and the Special Secretariat for Human Rights.
Towards the conclusion of the meeting, which was
conducted in a business-like open manner, the Bishop
was able to speak as he clarified certain ideas and
statements that had not been correct. The same thing
happened in the course of a meeting of the
Commission on Human Rights of the Federal
Parliament which went to Abaetetuba to investigate the
case.
On the 4th December, Bishop Giovenale received an
anonymous letter: We know what you are doing. We
shall let the dust settle and then we shall settle up. You
have upset too many people. It appears that the
President of the Lawyers’ Association of Brazil–Pará
has received a similar threat. Also threatened were the
five members of the Child Protection Council, the two
catechists who from the beginning followed up the
case and the coordinator of the Youth Pastoral Ministry.
As the case developed, some public bodies obstructed
the Child Protection Council. The Diocese, and in
particular Office for Youth Ministry saw to it that the
case did not get covered up; the publicity given to the
case of the girl led to some promises of action being
taken:
• Setting up prisons with special sections for women
and adolescents (of the 132 State prisons in Pará
only 6 at present have cells for women).
• Creating a database of prisoners to avoid them
getting lost in the judicial system the newspaper
“O Liberal” of Sunday 9 December published the
fact that of 7,167 prisoners in the State of Pará only
1,466 had faced a trial, and sometimes it takes 14
months before this happens.
Courage to defend the rights
of young people
Last November, an event in the State of Parà in
Brazil, caught the attention of the national and
the international press A girl, who ironically
became 16 years of age on the 10th December,
World Human Rights Day, was arrested and put
in a cell with 34 men. For her they were 20 days
of torture and rape.
S O U T H
P A C I F I C
O C E A N
C
H
I
L
E
P
A
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A
G
U
A
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COSTA RICA
PANAMA
GUYANA FR.
GUIANA
SURINAME
B R A Z I L
A R G E N T I N A
B O L I V I A
URUGUAY
C O L O M B I A
VENEZUELA
ECUADOR
P E R U
• Starting enquiries involving the police forces at all
levels and for the first time in the State of Parà, the
Home Office and the Judicial System.
• Replacing the police directly involved in the case.
• Setting up a Commission, at national level to deal
with hundreds of small cases before the courts
(according to the media in the space of a week, it
dealt with a large number of cases that had been
pending for years).
It is not the first time that Bishop Giovenale has been
threatened. Immediately after his arrival in the Diocese
of Abaetetuba, he tried to encourage efforts for human
development and education to combat the culture of
economic and social stagnation resulting from drug
trafficking. He gave a considerable support to the
creation of vocational training centres, youth centres
and other social structures such as the support given to
the work of the Child Protection Council in Abaetetuba.
Bishop Giovenale wrote a letter:
“The case of this poor girl must not be forgotten. I am
trying to speed up some of the pastoral and social
projects in progress. In particular I am working hard,
in collaboration with the Departments of Education of
the Local Authorities and of the State, to reduce the
levels of school truancy and to complete the work of
restructuring the vocational training centre of Cristo
Trabalhador, so as to be able to continue to give the
opportunity of a future to our youngsters.”
However, there were two sad episodes, on Sunday 27th
January, which cast new shadows and troubled the
Bishop who had previously received a number of
threats on account of the stand he had taken against
injustice and corruption. In the early hours of Sunday
morning, when the Bishop was on his way to the airport
with the diocesan representative for Child Services,
their car was stopped by three strangers who after
forcing them to lie face down with guns pointed at the
heads, robbed them.
Some hours later Bishop Giovenale received an
anonymous phone call: This is the undertakers. You’ll
be the next!
Thanks to the intervention by a number of organisations
including Amnesty International, the Bishop has been
given some guarantees by the government authorities;
the police have assured their full support for the
Bishop.
Pará
2322
DON BOSCO TODAY DON BOSCO TODAY
Responsible Citizens
Fr Paschal Chávez reminds us:
Work together with young people, with all your
strength in every way possible, so that they too
may become active and responsible citizens in
society.
Currently everybody has been working tirelessly
towards a school talent competition dubbed Our
School’s Got Talent. This will be a good fundraiser and
has also had the whole school showing interest, and
stirred up quite a buzz. Over thirty acts, from across all
years, rose to the challenge with all sorts of musical,
singing and dance styles. Lower school and upper
school have both produced some real competition,
through three rounds, for places in the February finals.
The competitors have worked really hard and
encouraged massive support from their friends to cheer
them on. We would like to thank everybody involved for
all their efforts, especially the Judges and all our friends
who have given up much of their time for us.
So that is what is happening from our point of view, and
we are keeping ourselves quite busy as you can see.
The role of youth MP is thoroughly enjoyable and a
worth-while service. It is great to see the suggestions
we make acted upon and the Youth Parliament’s
influence on government. I would recommend this role
to any young person who has an interest in their
community, and would want to improve the services
provided for the young people they may represent as a
Youth Parliament Member.
James Murray.
My name is James Murray, and I’m a sixth-form student
at Thornleigh Salesian College and the Member of UK
Youth Parliament for Bolton North East. I was elected
for a year in 2007 and as it comes to the end of my
term in office, the elections being held in February, I
have been asked by the editor, to explain how a young
person can work to improve society.
The other Youth MP for Bolton, Niall McGloin and
myself have been working hard trying to see the new
candidates through the election process, preparing
future young people for the role. We have launched two
new schemes recently.
1. The first is Bolton Youth Area Forums which are
held prior to an Area Forum with the local
councillors. We then feed back what young people
have said about the area. After attending a few
meetings we became far too aware that the
average age at these meetings was over sixty, and
the reputation of Bolton’s angelic young people
was taking quite a battering, at the somewhat
unengaging meetings! The new youth forums will
perhaps change the balance and show that youth
views do matter and can be constructive.
2. The second project that we have launched is part
of a National UK Youth Parliament initiative, in
which we are aiming to hold joint surgeries with the
local Members of Parliament, David Crausby, Ruth
Kelly and Dr Brian Iddon; trying to narrow the gap
between the generations holding the future and the
decisions being made in parliament. The first of
these events was held in our Thornleigh Sixth Form
Centre, with David Crausby.
There have been some very practical tasks to do as
youth MPs during the year. We sit on the local
Children’s Trust, which is a highly influential steering
group for the children and young people services. We
have chaired cash panels to decide on grant
applications made for youth projects in the town. There
have been project launches to attend and speak at,
and many other events we are asked to attend. A lot of
time is spent trying to gauge the needs of young
people. We consulted them by visiting their local areas
and looking at the facilities already provided.
I attended the national sitting of the Youth Parliament in
Scotland for a week at the end of the last academic
year, and there was a North West regional residential
course in early May. At these we organise national
campaigns, getting petitions together and gathering
information and consultation about young people’s
services to try and get them improved. I was on the
transport group at the national sitting, as this was a
major concern with young people in my area.
In light of having more time on my hands after the
February elections I have also been fundraising to
cover some of the costs of attending a week long
conference in America, with two fellow Year 12
students. The GYLC (Global Young Leaders
Conference) aims to gather young people designated
as future leaders, and educate them in the workings of
international politics. The conference is to take place in
America in early June, and will cost £4050 each.
For Old Age
DON BOSCO TODAY
24
May the light of your soul mind you.
May all your worry and anxiousness about your age
Be transfigured.
May you be given wisdom for the eyes of your soul
To see this as a time of gracious harvesting.
May you have the passion to heal
what has hurt you,
And allow it to come closer
and become one with you.
May you have great
dignity,
And a sense
of how free you are,
Above all,
may you be given
the wonderful gift
Of meeting
the eternal light
that is within you.
May you be blessed;
And may you find a
wonderful love
In your self for your
self.
For Old Age from Benedictus by John O’Donohue, published by Bantam Press.
Reprinted by permission of The Random House Group Ltd.
