Bosco News. Volume 6 Issue 1 January DON BOSCO 2015 CELEBRATING THE BICENTENARY OF HIS BIRTH

Transcription

1 Bosco News Volume 6 Issue 1 January DON BOSCO 2015 CELEBRATING THE BICENTENARY OF HIS BIRTH Salesians of Don Bosco Province of St. Philip the Apostle Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Signs and Bearers of God s Love for the Young and the Poor

2 2 Bosco News Volume 6, Issue 1 January 2015 Salesians of Don Bosco Province of St. Philip the Apostle Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry 148 E Main Street, New Rochelle, NY bosconews@salesianym.com 3 With the Young By Sr Lou Ann FMA 4 Don Bosco s Trust By Andy Gonzalez 5 Living Don Bosco s Legacy By Jus'n Ortega 6 Bicentennial Pilgrimage 7 There's Something Special About Being Salesian By Elizabeth Livi 8 Formed by the NCCYM By Father Jay Horan 9 EducaHon is a MaIer of the Heart By Theo Vecera 10 By Father Abraham Feliciano 14 Coming Soon Would you be interested in writing or submitting a photo for a future issue of Bosco News? Please send your contact information to: bosconews@salesianym.com.

3 3 With the Young It is so wonderful being a Salesian Sister, a member of our Salesian Family, during this special year of Sr. Lou Ann Fantauzza, FMA Immaculate Concep8on Elementary School Marrero, LA the Bicentennial of the birth of St. John Bosco! Perhaps one of the greatest aspects of this commemoration is that of being with the young. Too often, the words of Don Bosco are quoted and used on banners or to decorate the walls of our schools and youth centers, but sometimes not well celebrated or lived by those of us who are members of his worldwide family. One of my favorite quotes is: It is not enough to love the young, they must know that they are loved. How will the young know that they are loved loved by God and loved by those around them? Simply through our presence, our being with the young. Much of my life experience as a Salesian Sister has been with the youngest members of our family, and everyday, these young people have a powerful lesson to teach us, if we are willing to understand what they are saying. Presently, I am serving at our elementary school in Marrero, Louisiana (Immaculate Conception School), where the Salesian Family seems to be alive and well, and remarkably through the lives of our lay collaborators and teachers. Perhaps a short story will illustrate this. At dismissal time every day, six lay teachers and myself are assigned to a particular area of our campus. When most of the children have been dismissed, I tell the teachers that they can leave and offer to stay with those four or five children who are still waiting to go home. On this particular day, one of the teachers was standing there, paying attention to the story of a kindergartener. When the child heard me tell the teachers that they could leave, the child tugged on the teacher s hand and asked her: But can t you just stay with me until I get picked up? Now, let s face it, two adults staying with five children is a bit of an overkill in terms of supervision, and during this holiday season, everyone is busy with one thing or another, but that teacher stayed the extra ten minutes with that little girl, and that made all the difference in the world to the child. That story, to me, is one of the most recent vivid examples of what it means to be with the young and to make Don Bosco s words they must know that they are loved a reality. It is often not the big things, but simply the gift of time and presence that each one of us can share with young people, which makes Don Bosco real and alive in And it is this reality that we live and celebrate as imitators of Don Bosco and members of the Salesian Family today.

4 4 Don Bosco s Trust Like most people, I dream regularly. Every night when I go to bed, there s a dream wai'ng for me. Personally, these dreams have never been mys'cal experiences. I ve yet to see Jesus or the Blessed Mother in one, but looking at the life of Don Bosco, his dreams have had an influence on how I live my life. Yes, as an alumnus from a Salesian high school, I have personally benefited from Don Bosco s response to these dreams. Though most importantly, Don Bosco s willing and enthusias'c response to God speaking to him through his dreams has taught me how to trust God completely. Just picture it: Andy Gonzalez Immaculata- LaSalle High School Class of 2011 Miami, FL You re nine years old and Mother Mary comes to you in a dream to tell you to take care of her son s lambs. Nine years old. What do you do? Do you wake up and shake it off as nothing but a dream? Do you think about it for a while and forget about it? Do you jump enthusias'cally at the opportunity she has given you? Just from personal experience, I can say I d struggle and maybe even try to jus'fy saying no. There s no possible way I am being called for this. So I run away. Not the ideal response, but an honest one. But what did Giovanni Bosco do? Maybe he wrestled with it. That s a natural response. At least, I hope he wrestled with it like most of us would. In the end though, whether or not he doubted, whether or not he thought he wasn t good enough or couldn t possibly be called to serve, he said yes. He responded to the Lord s call for him. This wasn t just a one- 'me thing. If you read his life story and his wri'ngs, Don Bosco had dreams with mys'cal experiences his en're life and depended on those dreams and visions to guide his ministry. He may not have known what the future held for him and his boys, but he had trust that God had a plan and would see them through. I frequently ask myself if I have that kind of trust. If God asked me to do something, would I do it? I like to think I would. Knowing myself, I wonder if I would let my doubt overcome my faith. There comes a 'me when you have to say, despite all your doubts and fears, yes. If Don Bosco has taught me anything, it s that once you put your trust and faith in God s plan, despite your doubt and ques'ons, great things will happen.

5 5 Living Don Bosco s Legacy One of my favorite quotes from Don Bosco is, Do good while you still have time. Every day I wake up, and I take time to look over my life, what I ve done well and what I could use a little brushing up on. Blessed to be a Salesian, it reminds JusHn Ortega Class of 2015 Archbishop Shaw High School Marrero, LA me that I should strive to live my life towards sainthood, and to live my life to the fullest. As we live through the Christmas season, and later the bicentennial of Don Bosco, we have to ask ourselves Are we living our life striving towards sanctity? When I hear or talk about Don Bosco, I can t help but be inspired by his life and how he lived it for others. He lived his life for Christ and showed that through his love for others, especially the young. Living our lives to become saints should become a goal all of us strive for. Just like anything we might face in life, it is good to recall our roots and remind ourselves of who we are: WE ARE SALESIAN! Through our Salesian schools, activities, and the upcoming bicentennial of Don Bosco, we are reminded of how great being a Salesian really is! We mustn t forget what we live for, and who we want to become, because it is when we do this that we become someone greater. A little phrase that I like to use when I m in this constant question of who am I? is when in doubt seek, Donny B out! I know that his prayers for me will help lead me to Jesus. Don Bosco has inspired me constantly over the years! His ministry and his time with the boys in the Oratory are a few reasons Don Bosco has led me to be inspired. His witness has increased by faith and has taught me to enjoy the little things in life that give me joy I ve also learned to seek that same joy throughout the things in life that brings me sadness. In this joy, we can appreciate what we have been given and be grateful; in the sadness we can ask, what could we have done better? When we take this initiative towards examining what we have, we begin to transform our own lives. In response to the opening quote, in order to do the good in our lives, we first must find the good in our life. When we find this good, we can become channels of goodness for others. Don Bosco also inspired me to go out and be Christ to anyone I might meet at any time. You never know what someone might be facing in their life, so what better to do than to be the source of Christ in their life. Our daily mission is to lead others to Christ, in our actions and in our words. Don Bosco couldn t have said it any better when he said, Give me Souls take away the rest. My life has been transformed by the Salesians, and I will never be able to repay what has been given to me by them. Through them, I have learned so much, and I constantly pray and strive to live a life of love to all, to the best of my ability. As a senior in High School at Archbishop Shaw, I can say I have experienced a new life, a Salesian life! (Continue on next Page)

6 6 Living Don Bosco s Legacy JusHn Ortega Class of 2015 Archbishop Shaw High School Marrero, LA My favorite thing about living the Salesian life is the Oratory. During my four years at Shaw, I can say I ve never experienced anything quite like it. Archbishop Shaw has prepared me for life in faith and education, and has given me the tools I need to be successful. On Friday nights, Shaw becomes a Playground where Friends can Meet, as we host our very own oratory open to all students. This Parish that Evangelizes and School that Prepares for Life has blessed me with the resources and tools through MLR, and OLR Young Team, to lead school-wide retreats, and to be the source of light to all I meet while I strive to spread the Good News. Finally, through my Salesian family, I experience a Home that Welcomes. Anywhere I go and anything I do, I know I have the best family that will back me up and be there for me--that feeling is so overwhelming! As Don Bosco s 200 th birthday approaches, let us be mindful of the legacy and love he left for us to carry on. Through the gift of God s Spirit, he left behind much! Through Don Bosco s example and prayers, let us allow God to transform us to live a life for others.

7 7 Bicentennial Pilgrimage PACKAGE A Walk the steps of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello in Valdocco and Mornese. Experience everything you ve ever learned about our Salesian story come to life by visiting the places where it all began! Make history and new friends at the World Salesian Youth Movement Forum! 11 Days August $1900 USD* / $2200 CND* PACKAGE B Start your bicentennial pilgrimage in Rome with Mass at St. Peter s Basilica & the catacombs; be inspired by St. Francis in Assisi; hike the beautiful Cinque Terre and join Salesian Youth Movement members from around the world at the World Salesian Youth Movement Forum to celebrate Don Bosco s Birthday! 15 Days August $2620 USD* / $2990 CND* *Prices are based on airfare departing from NYC and Toronto. Prices may vary from other departure cities.* Includes: airfare, accommodations, transportation, some meals, program For young adults age 18-30yrs old. Salesian Young Adult Bicentennial Pilgrimage Happy 200th Birthday Don Bosco! For more information contact - Tanya Acosta Salesian Youth Movement Coordinator - St. Philip the Apostle Province tacosta@salesianym.com If you re interested, contact Tanya Acosta for more informa'on: tacosta@salesianym.com

8 8 There's Something Special About Being Salesian Elizabeth Livi Class of 2015 Mary Help of Chris8ans Academy PaDerson, NJ As Don Bosco s bicentennial Birthday approaches, many of us Are reflec'ng on why this guy is s'll celebrated two- hundred years Later! I ve realized that because of Don Bosco, I m connected to a family of faith all over the US and the world. I traveled to Italy over the summer and visited the catacombs, which are run by the Salesians! As my sister and I were oohing and ahhing over the rosaries and abundant Salesian Saint medals, the lady behind the counter came over and asked us if we were Salesian. We gleefully said, Yes we were, and she said, "It s something special isn't it?" Then she took our map and told us where to find the church that Don Bosco helped build. The next day, we searched all over Rome to find it, only to get there and find out that his bedroom was closed. I decided to take a gamble and walk further down the block where I found an office with a woman behind the desk. I remembered the most important Italian phrase that I was taught, which is "Io sono studen' Salesiano, meaning I am a Salesian student. The woman behind the desk remarked that there was no way I could leave without seeing Don Bosco s room, and that she would get us in no mager what. She began to make a few phone calls; I could hear her say in Italian that she needed to get two Salesian students into Don Bosco's room! She hung up and said that someone would come with the keys. He would help us out, even though he did not speak much English. I immediately felt like I was in the presence of family! It was amazing to enter the room and see the bed and desk and all of Don Bosco's things there. The room was very simple, yet it was so powerful to be in a place I knew that Don Bosco stayed and prayed in. Even across an ocean, I felt that I had a family all because of Don Bosco and his ministry! The lady at the Catacombs was right when she said that being Salesian was special. It connects us to something bigger than ourselves. Because of Don Bosco, I am connected to a network of faith where I can grow in my rela'onship with God; I m also connected to a network of support, love, reason, kindness and fun! I am eternally grateful for Don Bosco, because he has truly served as a father to the young. Thanks to him, I have family in Louisiana, Florida, New York, Washington D.C, Italy and all over the world! In my recent college search, I remarked to my mom that I could definitely go to school in Louisiana, because I felt that I had family down there, a Salesian family. As we celebrate this bicentenial year, we celebrate a universal family, the Salesian family, and the con'nua'on of Don Bosco s way of doing God s work among us. I am so excited to be able to celebrate this exci'ng 'me as a Salesian student. Don Bosco truly created a worldwide oratory that is thriving today and I am so thankful to be a part of it.

9 9 Through God s Eyes Formed at the NCCYM Father Jay Horan, SDB South Orange, NJ Imagine that the worst thing you did in your life would be frozen as an image on a Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ asked us to reflect on that for a moment. That thought scared me. She spoke to all of us at the Na'onal Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry in San Antonio, TX. Sister Helen recalled her background as an advocate to abolish the death penalty. We only remember people on death row for the worst moments of their lives. I thought about not only myself, but also the many young people I have come to know over the years. No one of us wants to be remembered for the worst things we have done. All of us want someone to offer us the hope of forgiveness and change; all of us want to know Jesus came among us for that reason. I, like the other youth ministers gathered at the conference, need to hear this message for ourselves and the young people we minister to you, many of whom read this right now. The Na'onal Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM) meets every other year for the adults who care for and about young people. The Archdiocese of San Antonio hosted the event for us this year. About two thousand assembled for the mixture of conferences, breakout sessions, exhibits, and most of all, conversa'on with each other. We also heard from Roy Pe'lils, a counselor at the Pax Renewal Center in Lafayege, LA. He shared a rather in'mate story from his own life experience, a sort of mini witness talk. He explained he spent a day of counseling people how to live in a more human, Chris'an way, then came home and snapped in an annoyed manner to his family. He painfully recognized that what he spoke about during the day to others did not match what he lived at home. I, as well as young team leaders, omen feel that same way before speaking to others at a retreat or serving on a Gospel Roads. And yet, Jesus counts on Roy, on myself and on young team leaders to be his voice. We don t need to be perfect to care about others; we just need to trust in Jesus to accompany us in our brokenness. Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, CA both inspired and entertained us with his stories. When appointed pastor of a parish in an area heavily populated by gangs, Fr. Greg responded to the needs of the young gang members trying to leave that lifestyle. By looking at each young person as an individual person redeemed by God, he ini'ated projects one at a 'me that blossomed into a mul'- faceted response to the effec've alterna've to gang life. He related the story of one young man who came into his office with pride to show Fr. Greg his first paycheck. I know whom I have to thank for this he told Fr. Greg. Fr. Greg pushed back and pretended not to no'ce the compliment he an'cipated. The young man responded God, of course. Fr. Greg replied appropriately Why, yes, God of course. (con'nue on the next page)

10 10 Through God s Eyes Formed at the NCCYM The young man called him out on his bluff. You thought I was going to thank you, Father? Fr. Greg denied that and said that he fully Father Jay Horan, SDB South Orange, NJ expected God to receive all the thanks. You re lucky God doesn t do one of those Genesis things. Fr. Greg wanted to know what Genesis things he meant. You know, Father, being struck with lightening for lying. They both laughed. Fr. Greg showed each of us that even enemies, like former gang rivals, could form kinship with each other when we act on our belief of the presence of Jesus in every human being. Fr. Greg helped me reflect on the fact that some'mes the young people I serve don t realize how much they serve me by their example, trust and goodness. The Salesian adults came away from the NCCYM beger formed and energized to meet Jesus in each other and especially the young people and young adults God sends into our lives every day.

11 11 EducaHon is a MaIer of the Heart Theo Vecera Partner in the Mission Montreal, Canada I like to consider myself a part of the Salesian family. I saw my first Salesian in the spring of Sr. Francine was mowing the lawn with her penguin suit on, and I was thinking to myself how that was such a cool sight to see. It was so natural so down to earth. I was intrigued, because I always felt that priests and sisters were so high up, siqng on their thrones, and so untouchable. I always asked myself, How and why would they want to relate to me? I was an 18 years old, just beginning to understand life and not knowing which direc'on to turn to. I asked feebly that day to work at their summer camp, fast forward 24 years later and I m s'll working at summer camp (best job in the world people!!!). During this amazing journey, the Salesians have opened up their homes and lives to me by trus'ng me, challenging me, ea'ng with me, going out with me, praying with and for me; I have learned about and lived the spirit of Don Bosco all my adult life. Now at a tender age of 43, I am helping to coordinate the Don Bosco Youth Leadership Centre (that I helped create in 1997) in Montreal, Canada. I have been going through some (maybe) natural ques'ons of what the next phase of my life should/ will be. With 4 young children and living a modest life, I omen worry that I m taking care of so many young people while wondering if I am doing the same for my own family? It is a real struggle in a harsh world. Was I losing faith in my role as part of the Salesian family? Were real issues like mortgage, security and prosperity, for my family and me, conflic'ng with my job? Yes and no. Because I never felt this work was a job; instead, it was an extension of my life. It is a calling to do my small part in introducing and challenging young people to have Jesus as the center of their lives through the teachings and spirituality of Don Bosco. Is it a mid- life crisis? I don t know. So I arrived in St. Antonio, Texas with much apprehension, but with an open heart and an open mind. And what I found those days was a rekindling of my spirit. I found again my passion for service and prayer. I found convic'on that Don Bosco s preven've method was just as (or maybe more) relevant in today s society. But most importantly, I found hope and finality that yes, this is where I belong. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life offering my gims and talents to do my part in crea'ng a posi've impact in a young person s life and in my community. This is what I found in a stuffy conference room in St. Antonio. I found joy and simplicity. I found love and awareness. I found hope and courage. I found friendship and enthusiasm. I found people genuinely living and loving their voca'on. I found myself and I found Don Bosco alive and well. From the old genera'on to the new genera'on all our hopes and fears are the same in all our different Salesian ministries. This conference reignited my spirit, my raison d etre (french expression, look it up!) and for that I am thankful. I am blessed and I am broken and that s ok. Because amer all, educa'on is a mager of the heart. Viva Don Bosco!!!

12 12 Family Resemblance Recently when visi'ng a family member in another state, I was approached by someone who no'ced the jacket I was wearing. A gim that I received while teaching at one of our Salesian high schools, it has the Fr. Abraham Feliciano, SDB Province Delegate for Youth Ministry St. Philip the Apostle Province name Don Bosco emblazoned on the back. Immediately, a conversa'on began about students, teachers and Salesians (past and present) whom they knew or had known at this par'cular school. This was not the first, second, nor third 'me that this has happened to me either in that par'cular state, or in my Salesian life. In fact, in that very brief visit alone, three different people at different 'mes and loca'ons approached me in the same way. It s also important to add that I was over two hundred miles away from the nearest Salesian school, parish or youth center, yet Don Bosco was quickly and easily recognized. This experience is not unique in my life, and it is certainly not unique to me. How many of us have worn something that says either Don Bosco, Salesian, or Mary Help of Chris'ans and had people approach us saying, Is that Don Bosco in...?, Are you part of the Salesian Family?, I m Salesian, too!, or something along those lines? Wearing Salesian garb (or SWAG, as many youth, and young adults say) is one way to clearly iden'fy ourselves, especially publicly, as sons or daughters of our spiritual father, St. John Bosco. It is a way that the Salesian Family can be easily recognized by others. As we celebrate the feast of Don Bosco during this special bicentennial year, it s important for us to reflect on how we resemble our father in our daily life. We know that Don Bosco, through the inspira'on of the Holy Spirit and under the guidance of Mary, founded a beau'ful family that has a unique spirit and many wonderful defining traits. At the center of our family life is a love for the God who is present to us in daily life, especially in the young, par'cularly those who are in greatest need. And we live this family life, guided by Mary, with great joy and op'mism. In this way, we witness to what it means for us to be disciples of Jesus Christ as Salesians. Our Rector Major (the successor of St. John Bosco), Fr. Angel Fernández Ar'me, SDB, speaks to us about this point in the 2015 strenna (his annual message to the en're Salesian Family): This is the key to our existence, our living and pulng into prac8ce the Salesian charism. If each one of us can come to feel in our very being, in the depth of our being, that same fire, that passion for educa8on, that Don Bosco had, mee8ng each young person at a deeply personal level, believing in each individual, convinced that in each one there is always a seed of goodness and of the Kingdom in order to help him or her give his/her very best and to draw that individual to a close encounter with the Lord Jesus, then we shall certainly embody in our lives the best of the Salesian charism. (Commentary on the strenna, Fernández p. 4) In this strenna 'tled Like Don Bosco, With the Young, For the Young, Fr. Fernández has invited all of us during this bicentennial year to give thanks to God for the gim of St. John Bosco. He has encouraged us to be renewed in our Salesian discipleship, and he has reminded us that the best way to be and live as sons or daughters of Don Bosco is to imitate him and live the beau'ful gim of the Salesian spirit that the Holy Spirit gave us through him: (con'nue on the next page)

13 13 Family Resemblance Fr. Abraham Feliciano, SDB Province Delegate for Youth Ministry St. Philip the Apostle Province With this convic8on, we feel more inspired not only to admire Don Bosco, not only to recognize his relevance but also to feel very deeply the essen;al commitment to imitate the man who from the hill of Becchi arrived in the Valdocco periphery, and the rural periphery of Mornese, in order to become fully involved himself and with others in doing everything possible to seek the welfare of the young and their happiness in this life and in the next. (Commentary on the strenna, Fernández p. 9) As Salesian Family, we gather in numerous ways during this bicentennial year to celebrate the great gim of the life of our spiritual father, St. John Bosco. We do so as proud sons and daughters who bear a resemblance to our dad by following Jesus and being close to Mary in the way that he taught us. Let us hope, pray and strive to walk the Salesian road to holiness that he passed on to us, bearing an evermore- striking resemblance to dad, so that we can join him in the next life, where he awaits us. That is best birthday present that we can give him. The Salesian "Good Night" is a tradi;on begun by St. John Bosco's mother, Margaret Occhiena Bosco during her ;me assis;ng her son in the very first Salesian Oratory. Prac;ced throughout the Salesian World today, the "Good Night" is a brief thought or message usually shared at the end of the day or at the conclusion of a Salesian gathering. Its purpose is to not only provide food for thought, but also to offer the Salesian Family a focus, a theme, or a point of reference that assists in discovering the deeper meaning of the day s ac;vi;es and events. It is a way to become more sensi;zed to God s ac;on in our daily lives. By Don Bosco's own defini;on, the Good Night was the "key to good moral conduct, to the good running of the house, and to success in the work of educa;on."

14 14 Want to learn more? Check out our website: salesianym.com Young Team Retreat for the Salesian Leadership Retreat Stony Point, NY (January 14 16, 2015) Salesian Leadership Retreat: Stony Point, NY (January 16-18, 2015) Salesian Youth Movement Gathering: Washington D.C. (January 10, 2015) Salesian Youth Movement Gathering: New Rochelle, NY (January 17, 2015) Salesian Salesian Youth Movement