Jan2010_M28


Jan2010_M28

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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SALESIAN MISSIONS ANIMATION OFFICE (FIN)
ISSUE NO. # 1 – VOLUME 2
JANUARY 2009
Support Disaster Relief in Haiti
On January 12, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. Tens of thousands are feared dead after this earthquake knocking down
buildings and power lines and inflicting new misery on the Western Hemisphere‟s poorest nation. Let us join recovery efforts mobilizing around
the world to assist earthquake victims. Let us reach out to other people afflicted with disasters. The celebration of commemorating the feast of St.
John Bosco will be much memorable if we are able to donate for the victims.
Pictures from Salesian Missions Schools in Port-Au-Prince showing
children and students before the earthquake.
Provincial Economer of the Antilles Province, Bro. Alberto Rodriguez, the Director of the Development Office for Haiti, Bro. Franklin Ortega, are on their way to the capital of Haiti to make
an assessment and find news. They have managed to obtain three solar–energy powered satellite phones and are trying to establish a communications link to support the Salesian relief
efforts. In spite of the difficulty of communicating with Haiti, information has arrived of the death of of Atsime Wilfrid and Vibrun Valsaint, the two young Salesians in formation, in the
third year of philosophy, who died when the “Saint Francis of Sales” Institute of Philosophy in the Fleuriot-Tabarre district of Port-au-Prince collapsed.
At least 500 students are believed to be buried in the rubble of the compound that houses the renowned "National School of Arts and Trades" and other schools operated by Salesian
Missions. In the wake of the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Salesian Missions is working around the clock to pull together emergency response teams and fundraising
efforts to assist in the relief efforts. Among those in need of assistance are those at Salesian buildings in the Cité Soleil area of Port-au-Prince. THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST OF PAP
HAVE BEEN LOST, AS THEY WERE IN CLASS AT THE TIME OF THE QUAKE ("National School of Arts and Trades" referred to as ENAM or “Don Bosco Institue” locally in P-A-P. Those
who were learning the vocations needed to rebuild were the ones in class and lost in the ruins.

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MISSIONARY IN FOCUS
Heartfelt appeal for solidarity by
the Rector Major
(ANS – Rome) – In a personal letter addressed to all the
Salesians in the world, the Rector Major Fr Pascual
Chávez makes “a heartfelt and at the same time a very
strong appeal for solidarity by the Salesian
Congregation” for the “Blessed Philip Rinaldi” Vice
Province of Haiti.
The Rector Major expresses deep admiration for the
Province of Santo Domingo which “has been a “good
neighbour” and quickly sent food and first aid” and for
the fact that the “poorest Provinces (of Africa, Asia and
America) were those which have responded most
promptly and spontaneously.”
“Just as in a family everyone gathers around a sick child,
so, moved by great “„com-passion‟ we want to share the
burden of this extraordinary emergency and help in a
very practical way this small Vice Province so sorely
tried.”
Recalling how for Salesians the greatest loss has been
that of the lives of so many young people, youngsters
and children as well as three confreres, Fr Chávez gives
an account of the state of the Salesian houses.
“Our Confreres in Haiti have been sorely tried but
without doubt they are turning to us. They are asking for
help and support so that Don Bosco may be able to
continue his work in this country and may give them a
sign of hope as they continue along their path as
Salesians. For days they have been living out in the
open with thousands of other people.”
“In the name of Don Bosco,” Fr Chávez concludes, “I
can assure you that the Lord will bless this act of charity
of yours.” Through the Offices of the Direzione Generale
Don Bosco in Rome, Salesians are invited to contribute
to the relief work and to the reconstruction of the centres
in Haiti: “Be generous therefore, even at the cost of
having to “delay” some of your own particular projects!”
Benefactors who want to make a contribution can use
the Bank Account opened by the New Rochelle Missions
Office:
Citibank, 238 North Ave.
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Account Number: 9959015692
Swift Number: CITIUS33
ABA Number: 021000089
The situation is critical and overwhelming. Salesian Missions is working hard to respond to the need for disaster
relief and is calling for emergency donations. Read more from the following link.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/01/prweb3452224.htm