2008 April


2008 April

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Nouvelles Salésiennes
Salesian News
Avril 2008 April No.104
Bulletin mensuel électronique
sdbsem@videotron.ca
LETTERS FROM ROME
Friday March 14, 2008
Greetings to each of you once more,
Week Three might be described as our
first taste of sustained commission meetings.
The commissions are multilingual discussion
groups of about 50 members that discuss and
amend the working document of the chapter.
The purpose of so doing is to gather the input
of the members present on the theme of the
meeting: “Give me souls, take away the rest!”
Salesians will remember that the working
document is divided into 5 parts: Return to
Don Bosco – Urgent Need for
Evangelization – Need for Vocation Ministry
– Evangelical Poverty – New Frontiers. It is
both a fascinating and challenging process:
fascinating to see the points of view of
Salesians from all over the world, and
challenging because we are supposed to come
to a shared consensus. For example: What
does evangelization mean in a Catholic
country, a de-Christianized country, a Muslim
country and in a dictatorship? It never ceases
to amaze me how much some Salesians have
been heroic in their desire to make Christ and
his Kingdom known in every conceivable
setting. We have it easy, maybe too easy!
During this week’s discussions, I have
been impressed by the following thoughts:
A “Return to Don Bosco” means a return
to the young. His whole life was
dedicated to the needs of the poorest &
most fragile among the young.
We re-discover the Don Bosco of today in
the Rule of Life that he confided to us. “If
you loved me in the past, love me now by
the faithful observance of our Rule.”
To respond to the “Urgent Need for
Evangelization” we must first let
ourselves be re-evangelized by giving
absolute priority in our lives to the Lord
Jesus.
For Salesians, Evangelization and
Education must always go together.
Educa-tion must be open to the
Transcendent & Evangelization must
touch upon real life issues.
All of life is to be seen as a “Vocation”:
“What is God calling me to in my life?”
Whether as lay people or religious, we are
called to be Apostles of Christ.
This week there are two pictures both
related to St. Dominic Savio. The first is of
the young Saint himself; the second of the
statue of Mary in the Chapel of St. Francis de
Sales, where he and a small group of students
dedicated their lives to Mary. Here are Don
Bosco’s words about this event: “The evening
of December 8, 1856, Dominic went to the
front of the altar of Mary and said these
precise words many times over: ‘Mary, I give
you my heart, make it your own. Jesus and
Mary, be always my friends.’ This youth
group had only the best of the young at the
Oratory as its members, who helped each
other walk the path of Christian perfection
and ministry among their companions.”
I wish each of you a Blessed Holy Week.
In particular may you really live the events of
Good Friday when Jesus dies on the cross to
show His love for us.
Take care,
Fr. Richard in Rome!
+++++++++++++++++++

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Good Friday, March 21, 2008
Hello once more from Rome.
Chapter-wise, this week was one of
meetings for six hours a day in commissions
& general assemblies! Personally &
spiritually, the two highlights for me came
from two homilies: one on the Saturday
before Palm Sunday & one on Holy
Thursday.
On the Saturday before Palm Sunday we
celebrated the feast of St. Joseph. We had a
special guest, Cardinal Tarcisius Bertone,
Vatican Secretary of State and “2nd in
command” after the Holy Father. He is a
Salesian and his joy at being once more
among his brothers was palpable. His homily
drew a parallel between the dreams of St.
Joseph, those of Don Bosco and our own. St.
Joseph’s dream of a simple and happy
married life was changed by God’s dream for
him, that he cooperate in bringing Jesus the
Savior into this world. Don Bosco’s life as a
poor peasant boy was changed by his dream
at nine years of age when God asked him to
“father” numerous young people into the
faith. The question for us then becomes:
“What are my dreams, & do they take into
account God’s dreams for me?” God doesn’t
always ask us in advance for our consent.
And God does not give without taking away.
We can only enter into the logic of God if we
are willing to lose our life in order to find it.
But is this not the heart of our faith that is
expressed during the Easter event of Jesus’
self-emptying death on the cross in order to
be filled with New Life on Easter morn!
Then on Holy Thursday the Rector Major
presided at the celebration of the Lord’s
Supper. He also washed the feet of twelve
chapter members. “The greatest among you
is to become the least!” His inspiring homily
had two key ideas: Life as Service &
Becoming Eucharist.
Life as Service: Jesus said: “For this I
have come: to serve and to give my life.” We
are called to imitate Him. To serve is a
complete project of life, embracing the whole
of one’s existence. It is question of
perceiving that life is not centered on personal
success, professional development, or
accomplishing a personal project but of
making a gift of ourselves for others! We
have to have the attitude of the Good
Samaritan who saw the need of the person
abandoned on the side of the road, drew near
to him & assumed responsibility for him.
Becoming Eucharist: In the Eucharist
Jesus becomes bread that is broken for us and
wine that is poured out for us. “Do this in
memory of me” does not only apply to the
Mass itself. It means that we are called to
give our lives as Jesus did so that others may
have life in abundance. In other words, to
become Eucharist ourselves. No matter what
our state in life, young adult, spouse,
religious, this is Jesus’ way of life for us.
That we may all be blessed with the faith
necessary to live in this way is my Easter
wish and prayer for each of you! Happy
Easter!
Fr. Richard in Rome!
TORONTO-HAMILTON. Fr. Dobrsek is
adapting quite well to his new home at St.
Joseph’s Villa in Hamilton. Fr. Drago has
been keeping regularly in touch with him.
Our Easter celebrations were enhanced by the
presence of His Excellency Bishop John
Boissonneau ,who presided over three of our
liturgies. The Salesian Sisters of Marguerita
Street welcomed us all for Easter prayer and
dinner. We enjoyed each other’s presence as
well as the plentiful meal and goodies.
Our Knights of Columbus council is now
composed of 57 members. They held their
first dinner-dance on March 15 at a St.
Patrick’s Day celebration. Over 135 guests
participated. Even Fr. George kicked up his
heels. Bro. Bernie has initiated the project of
the Squires in the parish with success. Over a
dozen young people have joined thus far.
They will be the youth wing of the Knights of
Columbus.

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On March 14 we held our second voca-
tion evening, at which one young adult par-
ticipated. Most of the participants are the fruit
of our SLR retreats. A third evening will be
held on April 19.
Fr. Frank Kelly has been spending time
with us here at Don Bosco Residence while
attending to some medical needs. He looks
well rested as well as being his jolly ole self.
-- Bro. Steve’s recovery is progressing
slowly. He has been a wonderful catalyst to
our weekly community gatherings. He spent
the Easter Triduum with his uncle-priest, who
lives in the Passionist monastery in
Pittsburgh, Pa. --Fr. Joe Ho has taken his task
as pastor with “heart” in Fr. Mike’s absence at
GC26. His diligence, liturgical acumen and
comic relief are much appreciated.
Our Salesian Family commission will
animate its Family Day on Saturday May 24
at St. Benedict’s church hall. About 50
members are expected for this ongoing
formation day. Sister Cora Beboso, FMA, will
give us a conference on Salesian spirituality.
===================
EDMONTON, Savio Parish. We are very
pleased to welcome our new youth minister,
Amanda. She has been with us 2 months
now. She has revived the Junior Youth Group
that meets Wednesdays after school in the
parish hall. It is for grades 3-6, and she has
been getting very good turnouts (about 80-90
children). We look forward to more good
things to come.
Fr. Bernie and Fr. Romano, with the
assistance of several priests, were kept busy
in our local elementary and junior high
schools hearing Lenten confessions for the
first 2 weeks of March. Fr. Bernie is now
celebrating a Mass once a month on a Friday
evening at Alberta Hospital (a psychiatric
hospital). He continues to celebrate Mass
twice a month at Miller Crossing Care Centre,
and on March 13 he was also asked to fill in
and say Mass at St. Michael’s Extended Care.
During March, Fr. Bernie heard
confessions at many of the neighboring
parishes’ penitential services in the evenings.
Stations of the Cross continued on Friday
evenings during March.
Holy Week started with the Chrism Mass
on Monday, March 17. During the week Fr.
Bernie went to St. Dominic School for a Holy
Week celebration, and on Holy Thursday the
junior high school came to the church for
Stations of the Cross. Members of the RCIA/
CIC volunteered for the Washing of the Feet
during the Holy Thursday evening service.
On Good Friday the church was packed to
overflowing. We had a Taizé service in the
evening that was very calming and peaceful.
There was a very good turnout of volunteers
on Saturday morning to clean and decorate
the church for Easter. At 5:00 p.m. Fr. Bernie
had the blessing of the Easter bread and
baskets. This is becoming more and more
popular every year. Our Easter Vigil started
at 9:00 p.m. It was a little chilly outside for
the blessing of the fire, so most of the
congregation remained indoors. We had a
beautiful liturgy with 9 baptisms (5 RCIA and
4 CIC).
Fr. Bernie was once again at the schools
on March 25-26 for Easter celebrations. Our
schools are on their spring break this last day
of March/first week of April; so we can have
a bit of a break!
*********************
SHERBROOKE. Discuter de température
est souvent une entrée facile lors d’une
conversation. Si on demeurait dans une région
où le temps ne varie pas ou peu, ce serait
plutôt ennuyant, mais ici au Canada, on
penserait qu’on a même plus de 4 saisons--un
peu comme les dimensions qui, avec
l’avancée des sciences, en comptent plus que
les 3 classiques! Oui, entrée facile, à
condition de ne pas en rester là! J’écris ceci
le dernier jour de mars : la neige est beaucoup
plus abondante qu’à la fin de février l’an
dernier. Les sucres (la fabrication du sirop

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d’érable--pour l’information de nos lecteurs
hors du Canada) commencent à peine. On
prévoit encore quelques semaines de ski alpin
pour les amateurs; remarquez que les Cantons
de l’Est, ce n’est pas les Alpes. C’est le
réchauffement de la planète, dit-on. Je n’y
comprends rien!
Vie très active à l’école, même si le début
du mois signalait la période de relâche
(29/02-11/03). Nos jeunes et leurs
accompagnateurs sont revenus enchantés et
enthousiastes de leur voyage, les uns de
l’Europe de l’Est, les autres de Marseille.
Ceux de la 4e sec. se préparent à visiter
N.Y.City (3-5 avril) et à la mi-avril, pour la
3e sec. ce sera Boston. Les 2e sec. seront les
hôtes de Toronto en mai. -- Le 18 mars à la
Salle Père-Décarie eut lieu le lancement du
festival du théâtre. La 1ère pièce, Le Dindon,
de Georges Feydeau --il y en aura cinq en
tout--a été présentée le 28 mars par les 1ère et
2ème sec. Suivront En Pièces Détachées, de
Michel Tremblay, Les Sorcières de Salem,
d’Arthur Miller, La Nuit de Valognes, d’Éric-
Emmanuel Schmitt et enfin--une nouveauté--
celui des anciens, Silence en Coulisse.
Nos jeunes ont remporté un vif succès à
l’Expo-sciences régionale au Centre Culturel
de l’Université de Sherbrooke : en tout,
18 950$ en prix et bourses. La Médaille d’or
a été décernée à Guillaume Laliberté, sec. 4
(5480$) et la Médaille d’argent à David
Pellerin et Pierre-Marc Jauron, sec. 4 (6700$).
Ces 3 élèves furent sélectionnés pour le
provincial. Onze autres de nos kiosques se
sont partagé le reste de la somme.
Tous savent que le 17 mars est teinté de
vert--en l’honneur de St. Patrick.
Malheureusement depuis que George Harkins
a quitté Sherbrooke pour Toronto en 2003,
cette fête est peu soulignée chez nous, sauf
par quelques biscuits verts : même pas une
crème de menthe, oublions le café
irlandais…!
Les membres de la communauté se sont
joints à l’Église diocésaine pour les
célébrations de la Semaine Sainte. D’abord
pour la Messe Chrismale célébrée avec
grande solennité par Mgr André Gaumond à
la basilique-cathédrale St-Michel le Mardi-St.
Pour La Cène du Seigneur, nous étions dans
notre paroisse St-Boniface et de nouveau à la
cathédrale les jours suivants pour la
Commémoration de la Mort du Seigneur et la
Veillée Pascale. Le P. Trottier est allé à la
paroisse Marie-Auxiliatrice de Montréal le
samedi et dimanche. À Pâques comme aussi
le dimanche précédent, aux Rameaux, il a
célébré la messe en anglais au sous-sol de
l’église pendant que le P. Luc célébrait à
l’église même. C’est beau de célébrer dans un
lieu bien rempli. La veille de Pâques, il y eut
deux Veillées Pascales, l’une en anglais,
l’autre en italien, et le jour même de Pâques,
six messes. Grosso modo, plus de 4500
personnes participèrent à ces célébrations.
Nous retournions à la cathédrale le
dimanche 30 mars puisqu’au cours de
l’Eucharistie de la matinée, Mgr Gaumond
donnait le sacrement de la Confirmation à
une douzaine de nos élèves--1e et 2e sec.--
ainsi qu’à l’un de nos anciens maintenant au
CEGEP. Ces élèves avaient été bien préparés
par l’abbé Michel-André Chénard,
responsable de pastorale au Séminaire.
Nous suivons avec attention le
déroulement de notre Chapitre Général à
Rome qui entre maintenant dans sa dernière
semaine. Nos deux capitulaires, les PP.
Richard Authier. et Mike Pace, sont peut-être
déçus de n’avoir pas été élus au Conseil
Général (!?), mais quant à nous, nous serons
heureux de les revoir à la mi-avril. La joie
était grande de savoir Don Chavez confirmé
comme Recteur Majeur et Don Bregolin
comme vicaire, ainsi que Don Esteban Ortiz
comme notre supérieur régional. Espérons
qu’ils n’auront pas trop de difficulté à
entraîner les nouveaux conseillers (9 sur 14),
plutôt jeunes en plus. Peut-être faut-il
retourner au temps de Don Bosco pour
retrouver un conseil aussi jeune. Élus par une
assemblée de 232 capitulaires et suite à une
démarche de discernement rigoureuse, on ne
peut douter toutefois de leur compétence.
Nous avons hâte de les connaître. Il faudra

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inventer toutes sortes d’occasions pour les
faire venir au Canada!
+++++++++++++
SURREY, B.C. March arrived like a lamb
here in Surrey, but the mornings have been
crisp, cold and wet, but by late afternoon the
sun usually appears and warms its surround-
ings. In that light, our Spring flowers are
already making their mark on our landscape,
and the robins have returned too.
The afternoon of March 5 OLGC School
children had all the grades from K to 7 give a
demonstration of their hip-hop dance routines
that they had been learning from a guest
teacher/instructor during these past, early
days of the month. They were a fine display
of talent, athleticism and coordination along
side with precision and team work.
Congratulations for their daring! Fr. John, Fr.
Dave and Bro. Jerry were witnesses to this
grand event.
The whole community the following day
attended the clergy study day that was held at
Our Lady of Fatima in Coquitlam. They were
very informative sessions that lasted from
10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with lunch in
between. The guest presenters were Mr. Fred
Koning, director of ethics services at
Providence Health Care, and Dr. Moira
McQueen of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics
Institute. They addressed clinical issues
around care of the seriously ill, including the
question of resuscitation. Notes were
distributed, and we looked at the moral and
pastoral considerations with insights to papal
allocutions on these subjects. Truly relevant
and interesting perspectives were presented
along with their personal stories and
experience. A question-and-answer period
followed each session. The hosting pastor
introduced the guest speakers, and Bishop J.
Michael Miller, CSB, said the opening prayer,
while Msgr. Stephen Jensen, PH (vicar for
evangelization and education), said the
concluding “thank you’s” on behalf of the
fifty or so clergy who participated.
Fr. Tadeus Goryczka, SDB, who was with
our community two years ago--better known
as “Fr. Ted”--spent a few weeks with us. His
main purpose for traveling all that distance
was to preach the Lenten retreat to our Polish
Community. We welcomed him with hugs,
smiles and laughter. At their confession night
six priests administered the sacrament.
Beforehand, however, the ladies prepared a
tasty Polish supper to the enjoyment of the
whole Salesian community.
Youth For Christ Leadership Camp: On
March 7-9, an overnight retreat was held at
Our Lady of Good Counsel, run by the Youth
for Christ. Sixty-three participants and thirty
team leaders gathered for prayer, teaching,
praise and worship, and community building
in the Don Bosco Youth Center. Meals were
provided by parents of Youth for Christ. Fr.
Dave Sajdak was the Salesian presence
throughout the retreat. The Camp was a
Spirit-filled time for all involved. The Youth
for Christ leaders did an amazing job with
their talks, facilitation and music ministry.
O.L.G. C. Youth Ministry looks forward to
more of these retreat camps in the future.
In preparation for Easter, our priests
helped in our neighbouring parishes with the
sacrament of Reconciliation in the evenings,
as also in the various schools, including Holy
Cross H.S., during the day. There was the
regular monthly deanery meeting, and our
own Monday Salesian study day. Fr. Dave
presented his observations in an informative
talk on our present youth center and its
programs.
The World Youth Day group sponsored a
pasta fundraiser dinner event at the youth
center. Door prizes and raffles were also on
hand to enhance the program and excitement.
A record hop added to the music delight.
Certainly a fun time was had by all for a
worthwhile cause.
St. Patrick’s Day we treated OLGC
principal Mr. Gerard Wright out to lunch, and
for supper, Bro. Jerry (wearin’ his green)
treated the community to corned beef and
cabbage … a “Maggie and Jigs” Irish meal.

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The 17th was also our Reconciliation night for
the entire parish family. About nine
neighbouring priests helped us, and once
again a spread, fit for a king, was enjoyed
afterward.
On Tuesday of Holy Week at Holy Rosary
Cathedral the Chrism Mass was celebrated at
5:00 p.m. Before the Eucharist the priests of
the archdiocese were invited for a time of
recollection beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the
cathedral hall, followed by the opportunity for
receiving the sacrament of Penance. The sets
of holy oils were distributed after Mass, and
the priests enjoyed a dinner. Bro. Jerry and Fr.
Ted graciously stayed put to open OLGC, and
to say the 7 p.m. Lenten Mass for the
parishioners.
Palm Sunday had the dramatization of the
Passion with a full and sometimes
overflowing house at all the Masses. The
Knights of Columbus also arranged to have
their pancake breakfast after all the three
morning Masses. Certainly the Holy Week
services were ushered in with a blessing, and
Holy Thursday had a representation of all our
ethnic communities in the twelve apostles
chosen. Our exposition went to midnight in
the beautifully decorated arrangement that
was held in our Mary Help of Christians
facility. Our morning prayers were solemn
with singing of the main psalms. Fr. Ted did
a mini-reflection with us and those
parishioners who joined us for this 7:30 a.m.
triduum event. Good Friday held five main
services to accommodate our large family of
parishioners.
In midmorning there were the Stations of
the Cross for children, with a 5 p.m.
dramatization presented by our teens and
young adults. Holy Saturday held the blessing
of food and Easter baskets every hour
beginning at 10 a.m. until noon. The East
Indian community did the flower decoration
arrangements and customary candles with
Bro. Jerry overseeing their placement, and
rehearsals with the altar servers for all the
functions. The church choirs did an
outstanding job of the music joining forces for
the Easter Vigil Mass, Baptisms,
Confirmations and newly inducted Christians
with the conclusion being the “Alleluia
Chorus.” The seven readings were dramatized
with dialogue and creative, youthful energy as
each psalm response was sung in a different
language. Our 1st Easter morning Mass was in
Polish at 6 a.m., followed by seven more
throughout the day, the last one at 7 p.m.
Certainly all these special days held the
opportunity for confessions at all times, and
our confreres were there for the faithful to
help make their Easter SPECIAL in every
way. Easter also saw Fr. Ted return to Poland.
On the 24th Fr. Mario visited his sister and
family in Calgary for a few days, as the 7 p.m.
Novena Masses to prepare the feast of Divine
Mercy were daily underway throughout
Easter Week. On the 30th a special 3 p.m.
concelebrated Mass underlined that feast; the
church was full.
All in all, a tiring, busy month of spiritual
joy, reflection and grace for everyone
concerned made March just that special in its
own right. March 27 and 28 had the weather
surprising us with rain, hail and snow. So, I
presume this month is ending like a “lion” of
sorts.
=======================
The SN-NS correspondents are:
Surrey: Bro. Jerry H.; Edmonton: Ann
Harding; Toronto: Fr. George H; Montreal-
Fr. Enzo T.; Sherbrooke: Fr.Romeo T.
Occasionally I ask others to contribute if they
wish (among whom: Fr. Donne, Fr. Lebel, Fr.
Pillet, Fr. Richard, Bro. Steven, Bro. Jim, etc.;
they are always welcome even if not asked,
just as others not mentioned here). R.T.
Partagez votre joie: envoyez quelques
nouvelles.
Share your life: send news.
****************
JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE!
de naissance : Luc Lantagne : 3 mai

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d’ordination : Dominique Britschu : 1 mai