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 8 • I S S U E 3 • A U T U M N 2 0 1 0DON BOSCO
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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Editorial >>
This issue of Don Bosco Today
is a story of the triumph of
generosity over disaster, of a
worldwide response to brothers
and sisters in need. In preparing
these few words of editorial, I felt
I needed to revisit the situation
in Haiti, since so many readers
had been so generous in donating to the many appeals
for Haiti made at the beginning of this year. Through the
generosity of so many people, our province was able
to send almost £130,000. Usually it is relatively easy
to obtain details of disasters but sometimes difficult
to find out what has actually happened with donations
- where the money has gone. The reason for this is
that unfortunately the media look for bad news. For
many people good news is not news. When I began to
discover what had happened on behalf of our Salesian
work for young people in Haiti, I was totally amazed by
the scale of the response. I began to lose count of the
number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
involved, of the number of different countries helping,
of the ways in which so many Salesian provinces, in so
many parts of the world, were involved. As Fr Chávez,
our superior in Rome said, It is very comforting to see so
many organizations, a total of 80, seriously committed to
this challenging task.
More recently there has been the terrible disaster of
the floods in Pakistan. There are very few Salesians
in Pakistan, yet their impact has been considerable.
Christians are suffering persecution in Pakistan,
involvement in aid work demands bravery as well as
generosity. Perhaps the most moving snippet of news
from our Salesians in Pakistan was the way they were
invited by the thousands of refugees, in our Salesian
houses, to join them in celebrating the feast of Eid al-Fitr.
In this country, I think we were all moved by the very
warm welcome afforded our Holy Father, Pope Benedict
XVI. He seemed to win the hearts of even the most
cynical commentators, and at Westminster Cathedral, St
Mary’s, Strawberry Hill and in Scotland the young people
seemed to win his heart. We have had so many glowing
reports from Salesians and Salesian Cooperators from
Scotland and England who were privileged to attend one
of the many ceremonies on his exacting tour. The visit of
Pope Benedict to Westminster Abbey proved a powerful
lesson in ecumenism. We have only been able to include
an account from some young people from Farnborough.
I’m sure all the others who sent in accounts of the Pope’s
visit will understand why we have given preference to the
young.
There are also two articles on the subject of vocation
– the way two people responded to God’s call. God’s
call comes to all of us, if only we listen. Then we have
Blessed Alberto Marvelli, a young man who answered
God’s call to serve his neighbour. Alberto’s service was
extraordinarily generous.
If I may add an ecumenical postscript, at Don Bosco
Publications we were delighted to receive an order of
100 copies of our ever popular prayer resource, Swatch
& Pray from an Anglican diocese in England. Let’s hope
prayer will bring us together.
Tony Bailey SDB
a.bailey@salesians.org.uk
Contents
6 10
4-5 Haiti must rise again
In 32 seconds the history
of Haiti was changed. The
whole Salesian world is now
refounding our work in Haiti.
6-7 Bridges of Solidarity,
Tolerance and
Respect
The most important thing
is that the Salesians have
built bridges of solidarity,
tolerance and respect among
the different faiths: Hindu,
Muslim and Christian.
8 Responsive listening
to God
I was quite contented with my
life; but I always felt that there
was something missing.
10-11 Bridge Over Troubled
Waters
Beavers’ Bridge get swept
away by the raging river.
4
DONBOSCOTODAY 3
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SALESIAN MISSIONS
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2 Orbel Street,
Battersea SW11 3NZ
Tel 020 7924 2733
Email: donbosco@btconnect.com
DESIGN AND PRINTING
Concept4 Tel 01282 611331
Printed on paper manufactured from a
sustainable source using vegetable
based inks
ARTWORK
Val O’Brien
PHOTOS
ANS Salesian Info Agency
CHILDREN’S PAGE
Cliff Partington
WEBSITES WORTH VISITING
www.salesians.org.uk
www.don-bosco-publications.co.uk
www.sdb.org
www.sdb.org/ANS
www.cgfmanet.org
www.salesiansisters.org.uk
www.salesianyouthministry.com
www.donboscoyouth.net
www.bosconet.aust.com
www.youthoutreach.org.hk
13 Family means a lot to
me
Lord, give me a clear sign of
the road I should take
14-15 Heart Speaks Unto
Heart
Every day we should thank
God for the love we have
already known. Pope Benedict
XVI
16-17 Blessed Alberto
Marvelli
Before teaching the poor
person how to save their souls
we must enable them to live in
such a way as to allow them to
be aware of having a soul. (St
Vincent de Paul)
18-19 Hooked on Success
The key starting point is to
highlight the pupil’s strengths,
making a difference to how the
pupils see themselves.
20 Booklist
Summer 2010
13
14
18
16
20
4 DONBOSCOTODAY
Haiti was once the pearl of the
Caribbean, but with the problems
caused by the January earthquake
and inherited problems, the situation
there is still critical. Progress towards
any form of normality is slow and often
meets unexpected obstacles. >>
Officially the state of emergency is supposed to be over;
some humanitarian organisations have left the country
and many volunteers have gone back home. The
shops are re-opening and are filled with customers; the
churches, both Catholic and Protestant have begun their
pastoral work again.
Fr Václav Klement, General Councillor for Salesian
Missions, visited Haiti in August, to meet the Salesians
and representatives of the various organisations working
to re-establish the Salesian works. A report was sent
to Rome detailing the funding required, based on the
degree of need. Fr Klement pointed out that the Salesians
in Haiti have been the concern of the whole Salesian
world throughout 2010, it has been a time of worldwide
solidarity, with visits from the Rector Major, and the gift of
new missionaries. Fr Klement insisted This entire project
needs the primacy of God, the nourishment of his word
and a real appreciation of our Salesian vocations.
The response to the earthquake in Haiti has highlighted
the impressive work of the various Salesian non-
governmental organisations. Those working in the
front line are fully aware of the need to be careful in
administering the funds received and to maintain the
trust and responsibility required in such situations. That
said, some works have not yet found agencies to help
them rebuild, whereas others are beginning to see the
results of generosity from all parts of the globe.
Salesian centres are starting up their work again. In
Port-au-Prince, at ENAM1, lessons are taking place in
prefabricated buildings made available by the National
Ministry for Education and Professional Formation.
In spite of the precarious situation, the Salesians are
able to provide breakfast, (a cup of milk and bread) for
about 9000 middle school pupils. A new kitchen should
be installed soon to provide food for the children from
the schools in Cité Soleil and La Saline, the poorest
districts in the area.
In the street children reception centre, at Lakay, over 300
children are still being cared for on a daily basis, by various
international organisations such as Misereor and Austrian
Caritas. In Cité Soleil and Fleuriot-Tabarre, lessons have
started up again in tents while they wait to be able to use the
prefabricated structures offered by VIS2 and Jugendhilfe
Lateinamerika3. In Thorland: providing accommodation
for 12,000 refugees continues. Here the Salesians are
engaged in providing material and psychological help for
the displaced people as they wait to be relocated. Work
with youth groups, which has never been interrupted,
continues with cultural, recreational and spiritual activities.
In Gressier, as well as providing hospitality, the Salesian
students to the priesthood continue their studies under
canvas. The non-governmental organisation JDW4 has
promised to cover the financial costs of the rebuilding
of the study centre and a part of the elementary school.
In Pétion-ville, all activities have started up again. The
boundary walls have been rebuilt thanks to the funds
provided by VIS5. Projects for the Provincial House, for
the Centre for Higher Studies and the Postnovitiate are
going well; approval for the projects from the National
Department for studies in the area is awaited.
At Cap-Haitien: part of the teachers’ salaries and the
school meals are being covered by help from Salesian
Missions. The JUHILA organisation6 has approved the
plans for the refurbishment of the school facilities at
Gonaives. At Fort-Liberté, activities have started again,
thanks also to the help from a Sister from Spain engaged
in assisting and training the students in the school of
nursing. As far as the agricultural activities there are
concerned, the Jugend Ein Welt7 are looking after them.
In general one can see that a lot is happening. The
Community of the Mission of Don Bosco (CMB), the 28th
group in the Salesian Family, is committed to offering its
own support, and three volunteers are working in Haiti
and others will be taking their places in the months ahead.
In June, four technical specialists in artificial limbs
and orthopaedics from the Don Bosco University in
Soyapango, San Salvador, left for Port-au-Prince, to help
Haiti must rise again
>> The outstanding generosity of the whole Salesian world is now refounding our work in Haiti.
1 Ecole Nationale des Arts et Métiers.
2 Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo
3 A German charity for LatinAmerica.
4 Jugend Dritte Welt
5 Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo (International Volunteer
Service for Development).
6 JUHILA is a part of the well organized Don Bosco Jugenhilfe
program, dedicated to Latin America.
7 A Don Bosco charity based in Austria.
DONBOSCOTODAY 5
>> The outstanding generosity of the whole Salesian world is now refounding our work in Haiti.
with the rehabilitation of people who have had amputations
following their injuries in the January earthquake. This is
the second humanitarian mission from the University. In
the first, led by professional technicians, there were about
200 artificial limbs fitted and more than 100 sessions of
orthopaedic training given. The team will stay in Haiti until
December. At present there are about 10,000 people in
need of help, and of these 4,000 have had an amputation.
The volunteers will be involved in assessing the condition
of the patients and planning and fitting the artificial limbs
and providing the orthopaedic support.
In the Antilles Province, on the 17th September, the
Development Office launched a campaign, Solidarity for
Haiti, with the aim of collecting school equipment and other
material for the Salesian Schools in Haiti, in preparation
for the new school year. The campaign was launched at
the Don Bosco Institute in Santo Domingo and is part of
the continuing programme of support and solidarity which
the Salesian Family in the Antilles has been undertaking
on behalf of the neighbouring country following the
earthquake in January. With the motto The future of Haiti
is in education, bring your grain of sand the campaign was
aimed at helping the children and young people in Haiti with
the things they need to start the new school year and at the
same time to promote a spirit of solidarity among the pupils
in the Salesian schools in the Antilles Province. Businesses
and other institutions were invited to join the project.
Fr Julio Soto, Vice Provincial of the Antilles Province, spoke
to the hundreds of students who attended the launching
ceremony. He said, Salesian young people this is your
challenge, your fellow students of Haiti are waiting for your
help. The campaign continued until the end of October, the
organisers were hoping to collect enough material for the
12,500 pupils in the Salesian schools in Haiti.
Last March, when Fr Ducange Sylvian, Superior of the Vice
Province of Haiti, was giving his report to the superiors
in Rome of the progress made, he began by saying, In
32 seconds the history of Haiti was changed. From the
very beginning the effects of the earthquake became
evident: large numbers of the dead, many youngsters
made orphans, most of the houses destroyed, a lack of
food and drinking water, total despair and anguish in not
finding immediate help. There were also many injured
in body and spirit. The earthquake destroyed the whole
of Port-au-Prince, but it did not destroy our hopes. What
we are going through in Haiti is like the passion of Christ
which will certainly be completed in the resurrection.
As Salesians we are getting ready to celebrate the 75th
anniversary of our presence in the country; this is the time
for a refoundation.
6 DONBOSCOTODAY
The work of the Salesians in
Pakistan for the people displaced
by the floods has continued over
the past few months. The Quetta
community completed the first
stage of support in the emergency
and is now preparing to organise
the return of the families to their
own homes. >>
From Lahore, in fact, the close collaboration between
Salesians and the army has made it possible to help a
considerable number of needy people and to establish
encouraging relationships among the various religious
communities.
In the Don Bosco centre at Quetta, the site of a vast
reception camp for the many families (refugees from the
regions of Sindh and the Punjab we continue to direct
the support for the refugees. Our initial aim of reaching
1500 families has been achieved. Now we have to move
to the second phase: helping them to return to their
lands and recover their homes and fields.
The work of collecting and distributing primary necessities
has been organised by two young Salesians from
Pakistan, who are working to facilitate the aid programme
in an atmosphere which remains quite tense. Everything
has been organised by our two splendid young Pakistani
Salesians, the students Noble Lal and Eric Malik. I am
working in the background, guiding, motivating, asking
as spokesman, and helping to resolve the stress.
In the places where the Salesians in Lahore are operating
the help given is on a larger scale and the atmosphere
of collaboration established with the army and the
local people is encouraging. Perhaps it will bear fruit in
future relationships among the religious communities.
Fr Miguel Angel Ruíz, Rector of Lahore, has established
a fruitful collaboration with the military forces in the area.
In a few days, thanks to international donations and the
support of the army, it was possible to distribute survival
kits to the many families, helping over 30,000 people.
A Pakistani general said, in gratitude, to Fr Ruíz. What you
are doing today for Pakistan is making a great contribution,
that can never be forgotten. Fr Ruíz was well rewarded,
We have seen so many lovely smiles, which have repaid
us for a very busy week. Thirty of our young people have
become heroes for the Christian community: They have
received lots of praise from the Muslim authorities; but
the most important thing is that they have built bridges
of solidarity, tolerance and respect among the different
faiths: Hindu, Muslim and Christian.
In order to achieve all this, of fundamental importance
has been the support of the NGO and the Mission
Offices who are active throughout the world. Among the
numerous donations which have arrived in recent days
for the Salesians in Pakistan, has been a contribution of
10,000 dollars sent by the Japanese Province.
Ramadan concluded with the celebration of the feast of
Eid ul-Fitr. For many families in Pakistan the feast was kept
this year in an atmosphere full of uncertainty about the
future. Eid ul-Fitr is an important celebration in the Islamic
world; it is a celebration of sacrifice and the breaking of the
great fast of Ramadan. In these days it is the family which
comes together with all its members for the celebration.
For many it is an occasion to return home, but this year in
Pakistan that is difficult: the trains are not running because
the lines are still buried in mud, the streets are scarcely
passable and not everyone can afford to travel by air.
In Quetta, for the families displaced by the floods, there is
great sadness on account of the villages they have had to
leave, the people who have died, and uncertainty about
the future. Nevertheless, in the reception centres and all
around, the celebrations are going ahead with what little
they have. Many of the displaced families we are helping
are Muslims. Many of them have invited us to join them for
the feast of Eid ul-Fitr. In Quetta it is being celebrated with
the full moon tomorrow; today just the offices and shops
are closed. At this time with the tensions about religious
minorities we have reluctantly declined the invitation, so as
not to cause problems with the extreme traditionalists. The
words of the Pastor Terry Jones in the United States have
been heard also in Quetta where there are threats to burn
the flags of the Vatican and of the United States as a reprisal.
Yesterday in Quetta, a week after the previous attack near
the market, a suicide bomber set off an explosion which
killed five people. This was the violent response to the
Government measures taken by the Police against some
minorities agitating for the independence of certain parts
of the country. The Salesian solidarity network continues
to do its best to respond to the emergency in Pakistan.
Bridges of Solidarity, Tolerance and Respect
DONBOSCOTODAY 7
Being quite high and not having suffered any flood
damage, this area of Quetta has become a refuge for
many families fleeing from Sindh and from Punjab, 300
or 400 km away. They have come by trucks to spend two
or three months here in safety. Here the Government can
do much more than in other areas which are still flooded.
Using military vehicles, the Government has been able to
organise things. In other areas especially in the north still
under water there are places which are cut off because
roads and bridges have been destroyed. Very many
villages have not yet been reached; the number of the
dead could reach twenty to thirty thousand.
In addition to the flooding there is also the violence
carried out by Al Qaeda. We have never before seen
so many terrible attacks against the Shiites. Al Qaeda
have said they are responsible. They have shown no
interest in helping the flood victims and now they are
taking the opportunity to blame the local authorities. This
is happening everywhere: it happened a week ago in
Lahore, with three explosions, it has happened in Quetta
and it will happen in other cities.”
We are providing food: flour and oil for them to make
chapati – their bread, and sugar. We also bring water with
our tanker. The Salesians are well organised: all the Mission
Offices are doing their part in the solidarity campaign
and everything they collect is sent to us in Quetta and to
Fr Miguel in Lahore, who has been responding to the
flooding in the Sindh province. So the two communities
have been very busy in all this work. The ordinary Muslims
people have been very open to us Christians. In fact, when
we go there they always shout, Viva Don Bosco.
The Salesian Mission Offices in Turin, New Rochelle,
Bonn, Madrid have been campaigning to raise funds.
Thanks to the coordination by Don Bosco Network, the
NGO and the Salesian Mission Offices are planning the
work of reconstruction.
Fr Peter Zago SDB
8 DONBOSCOTODAY
I’m Scottish, 46 years old; and a newly professed
Salesian Brother. I suppose I should describe myself as
a mature vocation. However, I hope that the message of
my journey is that vocation – the responsive listening to
God – is a lifelong calling.
When I was 18 years old, I went to study with a missionary
order, to test out my possible vocation to the missionary
priesthood. It was on the whole a wonderful experience
which included much happiness and friendship.
However, after four years, it was clear to me that I was not
being called to be an overseas missionary. Unfortunately,
I also mistakenly concluded that I was not called to be a
priest. The order was kind enough to continue to sponsor
me at the university so that I could finish my studies.
Dad suggested that I study to be a teacher of Religious
Education; he had read that there was a shortage of RE
teachers. I decided to give it a go. I soon discovered
that I enjoyed it, found it very rewarding and was quite
good at it. For the following 20 years, I taught in Catholic
High Schools. I was Head of Religious Education for 17
years in the same school in Dundee, in the north east of
Scotland. It was a typical inner-city school, with the usual
challenges that entails; but with a very extraordinary,
and dedicated staff. Its values and care of young people
reflected very much what I have come to understand
as the Salesian spirit. For all those years, I felt that my
vocation was to teach and to work with young people. The
joy of supporting many hundreds of children to grow into
mature, responsible young people always outweighed
the challenges. I was quite contented with my life; but
I always felt that there was something missing.
Through a long period of prayer and reflection, I felt that
God was calling me back to the ordained ministry but
within a religious community. One evening, I found the
Salesian website, and things began to fall into place.
One summer, I worked on a Salesian youth project. It
gave me the opportunity to see and meet many Salesians
involved in different work around England. I found them
all friendly and approachable. Sometimes in life you
have to take a risk. So, I gave up my job and headed for
Chertsey, outside London, where I had some wonderful
months working as a chaplain to the Sixth Form in the
Salesian school there. Then, it was off to northern Italy for
a year’s novitiate at Monte Oliveto in Pinerolo, near Turin.
The year finished with a work placement for two weeks
in Sicily. We worked in a large district of Catania, called
Librino. There were two million people, almost totally
controlled by the mafia. In the middle of this, there were
three Salesian Sisters bringing hope to the thousands
of young people there. We helped in a day camp for
youngsters, played football against the local boys, and
generally tried to share some optimism and hope with the
young people we met. I am not sure what impact we made
on them but they definitely made a deep impact on us.
Finally on the 8th September this year, in the Basilica at
Colle Don Bosco, the birthplace of John Bosco, I made
my first profession with 23 others from Croatia, Slovenia,
Ukraine, Germany, Belgium and Italy. My brothers and
I wore kilts which caused a real stir. Well, when you’re
Scottish and in a foreign land you do that kind of thing!
I am in now working as the Chaplain in the large Salesian
school here. I am enjoying being back in Britain and back
in the hustle and bustle of school life.
By Kevin O’Donnell
Responsive listening to God
>> I am in now working as the Chaplain in the large Salesian
school here. I am enjoying being back in Britain and back in
the hustle and bustle of school life.
DONBOSCOTODAY 9
Bosco Bear
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The Bear Facts
Hello Children,
My Dad, Frank, used
to say that thunder was God
tipping some bricks out of a
wheelbarrow! I believed him.
Sometimes things happen which humans can’t
do anything about like hurricanes, tornadoes,
earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanoes. Molly is
clever and tried to explain to us about volcanic
ash; Graham Greyhound asked her if she had to
stop flying while the clouds passed by!
Frank Ferret told us he once lived on a hill
opposite a builders’ yard. One morning, during a thunderstorm, he looked across the
road, and saw the water level rising inside the yard. Eventually the water pushed the
walls over: bricks, stones and wood went hurtling down the road.
Do you like thunderstorms? Some people hide under a table: others open the doors
and watch and marvel at nature. I was on a golf course once and saw a bolt of
lightning hit the ground about 50 metres away. If I’d been stood there I’d have been
toast!
RIO’S WORLD CUP REVIEW
Do you remember our World Cup predictions?
Bosco thought England and Italy would get to the final so
he comes last.
Suzi plumped for an Ivory Coast v Argentina final and for
England to reach the Quarter-Finals. Not bad.
Molly picked Holland for the final; so well done Molly.
Only one of us selected Spain to win and that was…. ME!!
Does Lionel Messi spill food on his shirt while he’s eating? Is David Villa related to
Aston Villa?
From the technical area,
Rio Rabbit
CATS AND DOGS
3pm.
The sky was turning black.
Looks like a thunderstorm, frowned Frank Ferret,
closing the classroom window.
Large raindrops landed on Suzi Squirrel’s head,
outside her tree-top house.
Oh no: better get the washing in; quick!
The BBC Weather lady said that Hurricane Henry
is heading towards Britain, and flooding
is expected in some
places.
Cate Cat and Graham Greyhound were running
home together.
Golly, I’m soaked. It’s raining cats and dogs,
spluttered Cate.
It’s raining ON cats and dogs, observed Graham!
RAIN STOPS PLAY
3.30pm.
Bosco, Rio, Rustam Rat and lots of others had just started a
cricket match after school as the storm arrived.
I’m sorry boys but rain stops play, decided Mr. Owl, the Umpire.
So…..they set off home taking a short-cut
over Beavers’ Bridge, across the River
Snake.
This is a monsoon, said Bosco, as
they watched the water start to pour
over the top of the river.
I feel like a drowned rat, grumbled
Rustam.
You soon will be a drowned rat, if
we don’t hurry up! chorused the
others.
Rustam ran off home.
HURRICANE HENRY
10 DONBOSCOTODAY
DONBOSCOTODAY 11
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED
WATERS
4pm.
The lightning flashed: the thunder rolled. Suzi
was petrified as the water was now half-way up
her tree. Suddenly Molly Magpie appeared.
Hang on Suzi, comforted her friend, climb on my back
and I’ll take you to safety. Suzi clung on for dear life and they flew to Bosco’s
cave half way up Hunger Hill. From there they looked down into the valley just
in time to see Beavers’ Bridge get swept away by the raging river which was
now crashing through everything in front of it. Then…to their horror… they
saw Bosco and Rio in the water, as the bridge collapsed.
A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE!
4-30pm.
Flabbergasting floods, choked Bosco.
Quick, , Grab hold! yelled Rio.
A large tree trunk was floating towards them. They
grabbed hold of it and set off on a roller-coaster ride,
crashing through the torrent and out towards the
coast…..ten minutes later they rushed past the beach
and, at last, slowed down as the river flowed into the sea.
It’s a miracle, said Bosco. I thought we’d had it there, Rio.
Me too, agreed his pal. That was terrifying.
The next day.
LBW - Leg before wicket
Rio was batting: Bosco was fielding.
Howzat, appealed Rustam!
Out; lbw, decided Mr. Owl.
What a difference a day makes thought
Molly as she sat in the sun, by the
pavilion, sipping a glass of orange.
Suzi was hanging her washing back
up and, about teatime, the tide
returned a huge log to the shore.
HURRICANE HENRY
UPS AND DOWNS
C
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12 DONBOSCOTODAY
Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes you’re
happy, sometimes you’re sad. Sometimes you
win, sometimes you lose. Sometimes the Sun
shines, sometimes it pours down. It’s normal
to feel nervous before (for example) a test or a
sports’ match, or performing in a show. Grown-
ups get just as nervous as children. Afterwards all the nerves have gone and you feel OK
again.
Results of the Summer 2010 competition
Many thanks to all those who sent an entry on the subject of Animal Rights.
The winners were Charlotte and Mashiha both from Wednesbury.
CHARLOTTE: When God created the world he made animals for us to appreciate, not to
kill them all. They have as much desire to live as we do. Think about it! We live a fantastic
free life. Don’t we want animals to have the same?
Eating meat is a way of life for many people. I’m not expecting everyone to be a vegetarian.
I’m hoping people will bring the number of animals being killed down to a minimum.
Honestly I think it’s okay but I also think there’s a part of me saying it’s not right.
MASHIHA: Kindness is an important thing in life. If you are kind, then you will receive
kindness. Kindness comes in many ways e.g. Helping people, caring for others etc.
There was once a boy called Jack. He loved exploring. One day a letter came through the
door for a missing cat. Jack started searching for the cat everywhere. Suddenly he just
looked up towards the roof and to his amazement he saw the cat sitting there. Immediately
he went home and told his parents, they called the fire brigade to get the cat back to its
owners. When they got the cat back to its owners, the owners gave something to Jack, for
a thank-you. Always help the people around you and you will get something in return.
Autumn Competition: STORM CLOUDS
In no more than 150 words tell us about the worst weather you have ever experienced?
Were you at home or were you travelling? Were you frightened or was it exciting?
We will publish the best entries in the next magazine. Please send in your 150 words with
your name, age and address. Closing date Dec 14th.
Name Age
Address
Please send your name, age, and address to
Don Bosco Publications: Thornleigh House, Sharples Park, Bolton BL1 6PQ
DONBOSCOTODAY 13
Family means a lot to me
I often reflect on the meaning of family in my life. My
first experience of family was in Northern Ireland. I was
born the fifth of my mother’s eight children. I started
work at the age of 16. My wages were important in the
family at that time because my father was out of work.
I used to hand over my wage packet to my mother each
week and ask her for any money I needed. I prayed the
rosary every evening before a picture of Saint Theresa
of the Child Jesus. I kept feeling the Lord was calling
me, but not, as Saint Theresa, to the life of a Carmelite.
I said, Lord, give me a clear sign of the road I should take,
preferably working with young people. Help me!
It was the 25th March 1961, the feast of the Annunciation.
I was out shopping with my mother, she decided to drop
in to see a friend of hers. This friend was a Salesian Sister,
Sr Catherine McCotter, who happened to be staying with
her brother in Belfast. With Sr Catherine was another Sister,
Sr Alice Moore who was the superior of a Salesian House
in Brosna, Ireland. Out of the blue, Sister Alice asked me if
I had ever thought of becoming a religious Sister. I replied
that I had been thinking about it quite a lot. She began
telling me about Saint Mary Mazzarello, about the Salesian
Sisters and about the Salesian Family. Then she looked
directly at me and said, Today is the feast of Our Lady
and this morning, at Holy Communion, I prayed that the
Lord would not let me go today without finding a vocation,
and you are that vocation. When I had recovered from the
shock of this very direct approach I felt this was the sign
I was looking for. On the way home I told my mother that
I wanted to join the Salesian Sisters. She said, Why not wait
a year? I said I had made up my mind. So she said, If that’s
what you want I am happy, you had better speak to your
father first. When I told him he just said, If that is what you
really want, I will put no obstacle in the way.
The following August I joined a community of the Salesian
Sisters. An unfortunate consequence of my decision was
that my family were financially worse off; my father who
was an engineer had been out of work for three years,
and now my wages were not coming into the family. Soon
after I left home my father was called for an interview for
a job (on my birthday to be exact). Despite the fact that
there were five other well-qualified men interviewed for
the job, my father was appointed. It seemed that the Lord
was rewarding my family for their generosity.
Having left one loving family I found another. I have learned
to appreciate the importance of family as a place where
I find and share happiness with others. It has been my
privilege to witness the way the Salesian Family works with
young people in so many parts of the world. I have seen
the smile of belonging on the faces of children in India,
the Philippines, Japan, Mexico, Canada, the USA, Poland,
Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Israel, Mozambique, Angola and
S. Africa, not forgetting those in Ireland, Scotland and
here in England: so many children who were welcomed
into our Salesian Family and given the education which
enabled them to build loving families of their own.
As my vocation evolved, these women have played a
special role in my life: Mary Jackson, my own Mother;
Mary, God’s Mother and Mary Mazzarello.
Sister Valerie Jackson FMA
14 DONBOSCOTODAY
At 6am on Saturday 18th September, twenty
students and five staff from Salesian College
Farnborough, gathered at the train station
ready to travel to London for the visit of Pope
Benedict XVI. >>
The group were chosen to represent HCPT1 following many
years of service in Lourdes. Below are a collection of
personal reflections from the students who had the
opportunity to experience such a historic day. Between each
reflection is a quotation from Pope Benedict XVI.
I ask each of you, first and foremost, to look into
your own heart. Think of all the love that your
heart was made to receive, and all the love it is
meant to give. After all, we were made for love.
When walking to Hyde Park, all you can see are the heads
and shoulders of people walking down the street, all
singing, laughing, smiling and dancing as far as the eye
can see. No space is wasted, you realise that this sea of
countless people all believe in God, and have travelled
miles just to see the Pope. It really makes you feel privileged
to be a part of that. The atmosphere is electric, vibrant and
full of energy. It is impossible not to feel caught up in this
sense of belonging, of unity and bringing people of all
ages and backgrounds together. Each of them is a person,
unique and all seeing and believing in God.
Every day we should thank God for the love we
have already known, for the love that has made us
who we are, the love that has shown us what is
truly important in life. We need to thank the Lord
for the love we have received from our families, our
friends, our teachers, and all those people in our
lives who have helped us to realise how precious
we are, in their eyes and in the eyes of God.
On the day of the papal visit I was anxious; I was not sure
what the atmosphere and the general feeling of the people
who had gathered to see Pope Benedict would be. The
day got off to a really good start with pilgrims from other
dioceses singing songs; myself and my friend Luke began
talking to people from Hexham and Newcastle diocese,
we got a picture with them. I also got Anne Widdecombe’s
autograph!
Heart Speaks Unto Heart
1 Handicapped Children’s Pilgrimage Trust
>> Reflections upon the visit of Pope Benedict XVI
DONBOSCOTODAY 15
We followed the Westminster Cathedral Mass outside on
the big screens outside on the piazza and received
communion so we really felt part of the celebration. After
Mass, the Pope came out of the Cathedral to greet the
young people, the noise levels hit a new high and
everyone got a glimpse of the Pope.
Later on at the Vigil, after walking down from the
Cathedral to Hyde Park, everyone was buzzing with
excitement. We waited there for a few hours to see him
again; we were entertained by many acts on stage.
People from different dioceses carried their banners as
they walked across the stage and were greeted by many
bishops from all over the country.
The tension again was rising, everyone wanted to see
the Pope as he does not visit England often and it is a
once in a life time opportunity. We were the lucky few that
were able to get unbelievably close to the Holy Father.
The Vigil took place at the end of the day, and I can
honestly say it was a really memorable day and one that
I will not forget for a long time.
Deep within your heart, he is calling you to
spend time with him in prayer. But this kind of
prayer, real prayer, requires discipline; it
requires making time for moments of silence
every day.
My most memorable highlight of the day has to be when
Pope Benedict came out to the Cathedral Piazza and
spoke to all the young people squeezed into the small
space. The problem with this was the fact that everyone
was standing up, which didn’t help a relatively short
person like me. I could not see the Pope, but it didn’t
matter as that wasn’t the important bit, the message he
was trying to convey was the most important thing. The
most impressive thing that I heard was the almighty
cheer from the 2,000 young people in the Piazza when
the Holy Father walked out of the doors to greet us; it
was a brilliant moment on a brilliant day.
The Vigil at Hyde Park was just as good, this time I actually
managed to see the Pope as he drove by. The crowd was
very good and even cheered when he spoke about the
youth in his homily. The cheering made him smile. It was
good to see human emotion on figurehead of Christianity.
The Vigil passed quickly and before I knew it, it was time
to catch the train and contemplate on the way home just
how good the day had been and how lucky I was to play
my part in such an important day for Christianity in Britain.
In discovering our true self, we discover the
particular vocation which God has given us for
the building up of his Church and the redemption
of our world.
There is a joy in our Catholic faith and we ought to share
that joy, in the words of Cardinal Newman, to shine as
to be a light to others.
My second reflection was the central message of the
papal visit and the motto of Cardinal Newman: Heart
Speaks unto Heart. For me, the meaning behind this is
simple: God’s heart will speak to ours and we will have a
relationship with him. This may sound strange, but it is
the whole point of faith; to forget what is in our minds and
having the courage to trust in God. It is a difficult thing to
do because to talk to God in prayer is one thing, but for
him to respond is quite another. Yet both Benedict XVI
and Blessed John Henry Newman call us to it, as indeed
does God himself. Let God speak to you. Trust in him.
Heart speaks unto heart. With these words from
my heart, dear young friends, I assure you of my
prayers for you, that your lives will bear abundant
fruit for the growth of the civilisation of live. I ask
you also to pray for me, for my ministry as the
Successor of Peter, and for the needs of the
Church throughout the world. Upon you, your
families and your friends, I cordially invoke
God’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace.
Heart Speaks Unto Heart
16 DONBOSCOTODAY
Blessed Alberto Marvelli, Engineer and Aid Worker
From an early age, Albert learnt this
lesson, he was always very generous.
Albert was like a second father to his
brothers. He attended the Salesian
Oratory in Rimini. He was always
available; he became a catechist and
youth leader - the Salesians’ right-hand
man. He was particularly good at sport.
His Diary
His diary, which he began to write when he was 15 years
old, tells the story of a soul, a young man living in prayer.
During this time he was a very active member of the
Association of St Vincent of Paul. The example of St
Vincent spurred him on to a more and more acts of
kindness. He took to heart the words of St Vincent, We
must love our fellow creatures with the sweat of our brow
and the work of our hands...and before teaching the poor
person how to save their souls we must enable them to
live in such a way as to allow them to be aware of having
a soul.
Catholic Action
Albert discovered in the Catholic Action Movement a
new home, where his generosity found great scope. In
his diary he writes, What a great deal of work is needed in
this world which is so far from Christ; we must do we all
we can to make Christ known and loved. He threw himself
into his university studies to realize the aim of fulfilling my
duty to give more and more glory to Our Lord.
The Second World War
The year 1939 marked the tragic beginning of World War
II. Eight months after war began, he complained, Eight
months of war have elapsed, so many lives are being
sacrificed, so many young men are shedding their blood.
In a sort of prophetic intuition, he added: National and
International rights must be founded on a Christian basis.
The Gospel and the Pontifical Encyclicals must be the
guidance not only for individuals, but for nations, for
governments, for the world. The only and deep cause of
war is our scarce love of God and our neighbour. Love is
so lacking in the world and, because of that, we hate
each other like enemies, instead of loving each other like
brothers and sisters. Albert prayed, Jesus, protect Italy,
preserve it from utter ruin, and grant peace with justice for
all peoples, soon; so that war may disappear in the world
for ever.
During the bombing - working for the homeless
In 1943 English and American planes began the
bombardment of Italy. It was a period of extreme misery,
starvation, plundering, and revenge. The town of Rimini
was almost entirely razed to the ground and most of its
inhabitants were forced to flee. Albert felt their suffering.
After every bombardment he was the first to hurry on his
bicycle to the bombed ruins. In the smoking bomb-sites
he worked hard to aid the wounded, to encourage the
survivors, to assist the dying. Once, after a particularly
heavy bombardment, he saw a tabernacle containing
the Blessed Sacrament lying in the middle of the ruins of
a church. At great risk to himself, he crawled through the
ruins and took the tabernacle to another church.
Aiding the Poor
His sister Gede, who was thirteen at that time, said:
During the German occupation he used to go regularly by
bike to and fro between Vergiano and Rimini (about five
miles) to help those who had lost their belongings in the
bombing. During the day he was so busy looking after
people that he was home late every night. But when he
got home, there were always men and women waiting for
him outside our house; yet, I never remember him being
annoyed by the demands they made on him. He often
Alberto Marvelli was born at Ferrari, Italy on 21st March 1918, the
second of seven brothers. Albert’s mother was left a widow with her
last-born baby only a few months old, but she brought up her seven
boys in a house that was always open to the poor. She taught her
children to avoid wasting things so that they could give them to those
who were in need. >>
DONBOSCOTODAY 17
Blessed Alberto Marvelli, Engineer and Aid Worker
urged our mother to give away all that was in our house
for those he knew were worse off than us. Mattresses,
bed covers, pots and pans were freely offered to the
poor: he gave everything away. He also gave away all he
could find in the presbytery, after asking for the bishop’s
consent. He gave away his own shoes, coats and woollen
bed cover. There was no limit to his giving, because he
couldn’t help aiding the suffering and the poor. Once our
mother saw him come home wearing a pair of old and
battered wooden clogs.
After the war
He was given the responsibility to manage large sums of
money to be shared among those whose homes had
been destroyed. His mother would often say, When he
comes home, he can never get his meal in peace, there
was always a queue at the door. She usually let them in.
When there was no queue at his office or at his house he
went looking for them.
He became an enthusiastic member of the A.C.L.I.
(Catholic Association of Italian Workers), and used their
premises to organise free meals for the poor of the town.
He used the office of the same association to search for
missing persons and to hasten the return home of war
prisoners. After the war many of the workers were being
indoctrinated with the social doctrines of Karl Marx by
the communists. Albert used to go to factory gates to
discuss Christian social teaching with the workers, to
show out how false and harmful Marx’s ideas were. Once
he was quite badly beaten up by those who opposed his
views.
Alberto died when he was hit by an army truck on 5th
October 1946. When he died his political opponents
wrote: The communists of Bellariva bow in reverence
and hail the son, the brother who has done so much
good in our land.
<< He was beatified on 5 September
2004, at Loreto, Italy, by Pope John
Paul II.
Pope John Paul II, speaking about him, stated: >>
He showed how, in changing
times, Christians are able to
devote themselves unreservedly
to the construction of God’s
kingdom in family, at work, and
in politics, taking the Gospel to
the heart of society.
18 DONBOSCOTODAY
Hooked on Success - Making a difference, by doing something different
Sadly schools are so often judged only on their
examination results; excellent public exam results
are taken as the mark of an excellent school. Such
judgements are rash and ill-informed; for a good
school achieves excellent results in many other
ways. One way of evaluating a school is to examine
how it deals with the pupils whose needs are not
met by the curriculum offered to the majority of
the pupils. >>
>> Doing something different can make a difference to the
well being and personal outlook for a young person
Maria Crosby Teacher in charge of The Bosco Centre
DONBOSCOTODAY 19
Hooked on Success - Making a difference, by doing something different
Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton, like most
others, offers a wide range of curriculum and
examination courses. However, the school has
recently developed a specific programme aimed at
certain year eight pupils. This programme has been
run from Thornleigh’s Bosco Centre which offers
support to young people in terms of their learning,
behaviour and emotional conduct and is at the
centre of Thornleigh’s inclusion strategy.
Ten pupils in year eight were identified who, in the
judgement of the school, would benefit from intensive
intervention over a 12 week period. The criteria used for
selection was based on identification of students within
the following cohorts,
• Students who had demonstrated significant difficulties
throughout year eight, (in most cases their difficulties
have been apparent for much longer than this) and
whose behaviour had not improved despite being on
report and taking part in various forms of intervention.
• Students who had no significant learning difficulties,
but were underachieving in a number of subjects
across the curriculum.
• Students who needed close mentoring to support
them and help motivate them with their behaviour.
Pupils would spend Monday afternoons in the Intervention
Centre completing work around goal-setting and learning
how to attain their own personal targets by using
willpower and waypower1. This work was supported and
advised by a professional who works within the field of
positive psychology. The key starting point is to highlight
the pupil’s strengths, making a difference to how the
pupils see themselves. They were made aware of their
strengths rather than their weaknesses; helping them to
use these strengths to make a difference to the way they
were going to achieve their goals.
The pupils on a Friday afternoon were given a unique
opportunity to learn how to fish at a local fishery with a
company called Hooked on Fishing. The other motivational
activities included making a DVD about a subject of their
choice which related to school issues and also learning
how to make and prepare food for a buffet so that they
could then invite their parents in to sample it.
These motivational activities on a Friday afternoon had
been linked with the pupil’s attitude and behaviour in
school. Those who have stayed on task, responded and
were really able to put their learning as a focus for the
week, were invited to go fishing on a Friday. The pupils
responded so positively to this activity that they were the
first to comment on how it had calmed them down. They
began to look forward to doing something different on a
Friday. One of the parents remarked that the reward on a
Friday encouraged good behaviour throughout the week.
The Friday fishing also proved to have a direct link to
pupil’s attitudes and motivation. To see some pupils sit
still and concentrate for such long periods of time was
very encouraging, especially when at times they had
demonstrated so much anger and frustration within a
school environment.
The Friday fishing also allowed learning-mentors to
engage with the young people, interacting with them in a
totally different environment. This engagement proved
invaluable for the well being of the young people.
Dialogue is one of the most powerful ways of changing
behaviour and the ability to engage young people in
meaningful conversation is a powerful tool in making a
difference to their attitude towards themselves, towards
school and towards others. An active engagement with a
young person can help them to set and achieve goals in
terms of their personal development by making the right
choices about how they behave in school.
Fishing has been one of the most positive motivational
activities that the pupils have been engaged in. They have
also made a 15 minute DVD about how the fishing has had
a powerful effect on their attitude, behaviour and motivation.
While the powerful tool of conversation around a lodge,
in an environment away from school, has had a great
impact on the young people’s attitude towards school, it
is only the start. Change does not take place overnight.
The fact that the young people recognise their strengths,
set themselves goals and are then given help by the
learning mentors to achieve these goals is what a
Salesian school is all about and this work will be built on.
The Aim Higher Programme at Thornleigh has recently
been evaluated by parents of the 10 pupils responding to
a questionnaire about the programme. All 10 parents have
responded that they have been happy with the programme
and activities. Only 2 of the 10 young people in year 8 had
fished before and now some of them are looking at
spending some of their free time trying to access fishing.
The culmination of this programme ended in the pupils
preparing a buffet and serving it to their parents/
guardians and the senior management team. The fact
that nine of the ten families arrived says a lot about the
programme and the impact it has had on the school, the
young people and their families.
1 Waypower is the ability to find paths to reach your goals, or the ability to create an action plan to accomplish your goals. If you think about it, in order
to accomplish a goal you need to have both willpower and waypower. It’s not enough just to have the wish for something; you need the plan and the
means, too. On the other hand, all the skills to solve a problem won’t help if you don’t have the will to do it.
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Title Author Price No
SWATCH & PRAY A new concept prayer book D O’Malley SDB 9.00
DON BOSCO PIN BADGE 1.50
ROSIE AND KATIE GO TO MASS K Pearce 2.00
SCHOOL ETHOS & CHAPLAINCY D O’Malley SDB 12.00
THE CHRISTIAN TEACHER D O’Malley SDB 6.00
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP D O’Malley SDB 8.00
ORDINARY WAYS 2ND Edition Spiritual reflections for teachers leaders D O’Malley SDB 6.00
PRAYERS TO CLOSE THE DAY D O’Malley SDB 5.00
PRAYERS TO START THE DAY D O’Malley SDB 4.00
TRUST THE ROAD 3RD edition with coloured illustrations D O’Malley SDB 6.00
VIA LUCIS The Stations of the Resurrection D O’Malley SDB 8.00
STARTING AGAIN FROM DON BOSCO I Murdoch SDB 12.00
SERVING THE YOUNG Our Catholic Schools Today J Gallagher SDB 6.00
MEMORY GAME based ‘101 Saints & Special People’ K Pearce 7.00
DVD ROSIE GOES TO CHURCH A child’s guide to the church K Pearce 8.00
BOOK ROSIE GOES TO CHURCH A child’s guide to the church K Pearce 3.99
CHLOE AND JACK VISIT THE VATICAN K Pearce 3.99
GOOD NEWS IN THE FAMILY The life of Jesus in story form K Pearce 7.00
OUR COLOURFUL CHURCH YEAR K Pearce 6.00
101 SAINTS AND SPECIAL PEOPLE Lives of Saints for children K Pearce 14.00
LET YOUR HEART PRAY M Cunningham SDB 12.00
LOST AND FOUND Spirituality in a changing world M Cunningham SDB 7.00
A TIME FOR COMPASSION A Spirituality for Today M Cunningham SDB 7.00
WITHIN & WITHOUT Renewing Religious Life M Cunningham SDB 7.00
SEAN DEVEREUX - A life given for Africa 1964-1993 M Delmer SDB 7.00
DON BOSCO’S GOSPEL WAY Reflections on the life of Don Bosco M Winstanley SDB 7.00
SYMBOLS and SPIRITUALITY Reflecting on John’s Gospel M Winstanley SDB 12.00
GOD OF MANY FACES Reflective verses M Renshaw FMA 4.00
MOVING ON Book of reflective poetry Margaret J Cooke 7.00
MAMMA MARGARET The Life of Don Bosco’s Mother T Bosco SDB 7.00
TEACHER, TEACH US TO PRAY for use in primary schools W Acred FMA 6.00
THE WITNESSES Seven witnesses narrate their part in the Passion Story W Acred FMA 4.00
DON’T ORGANISE MY TEARS Reflections on bereavement A Bailey SDB 6.00
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