Our Founder's 202nd Birthday!
Posted: Tue, 15 Aug 2017 13:39
During the evening of 16th August 1815, our founder, St John Bosco, was brought into the world, in the small village of Becchi in the Italian Province of Asti. Francesco Bosco, a widower with a young son, and his second wife, Margherita Occhiena, already had a son together, making John the youngest of three boys in this family of farm workers.
John arrived in times of great hardship, with drought and... Read More »
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2017 12:56
"Give us days of peace, watch over our journey, let us see your Son, filled with the joy of Heaven"
On 15th August, we mark the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when her body was taken up into Heaven with her soul. But we also think of the end of her earthly life, and we think of her coronation as Queen of Heaven. These scenes have been depicted in Christian art in connection with the Assumption... Read More »
Looking back at Flame 2017
Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2017 09:56
In the Summer issue of Don Bosco Today, the UK's Salesian Bulletin, we look back at the amazing Flame 2017 gathering of young Catholics. Our Province is a major supporter of Flame, and the hundreds of young people from Salesian schools and projects attended with their teachers, chaplains, youth leaders, Salesian Sisters and SDBs.
A Catholic youth gathering and a Salesian cardinal both trending on Twitter... Read More »
New programme gives a taste of Retreat Team Life
Posted: Wed, 9 Aug 2017 12:24
A group of four sixth form students formed the very first cohort of the Salesians' Young Animators' Programme, designed to offer a taste of life as a volunteer on the Savio retreat team, and an introduction to the skills they'd use and to the Salesian spirituality that underpins it all. They loved their week so much, they stayed on to support the second Phoenix Summer Camp!
Theresa, Theo, Moses and... Read More »
Getting to know our new(-ish) Provincial
Posted: Tue, 8 Aug 2017 15:45
Fr Kieran Anderson SDB put our (relatively!) new Provincial in the Q&A hot seat for the latest issue of Don Bosco Today, the UK edition of the Salesian Bulletin. Photo (ANS): Fr Gerry with the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernandez Artime
Q: Can you tell us something about your background: where you grew up, your family, your interests?
A: I grew up in central Scotland, the second eldest of eight... Read More »
Spirits can't be dampened at Phoenix Summer Camp
Posted: Fri, 4 Aug 2017 12:10
Last Thursday, I spent a day with the first of the Phoenix Summer Camp groups, as they took a trip to the banks of the River Mersey, near Stockport, for a day of exciting outdoor activities.
At 10:30 on the dot, minibuses arrived at Burnage Rugby Club bringing Year 7 pupils from Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton; Our Lady's Catholic College, Lancaster; and St James' Catholic High... Read More »
VIDES UK's Scottish adventure
Posted: Thu, 3 Aug 2017 09:45
(Pictured: The VIDES UK Volunteer Team chilling out)
VIDES UK embarked on a new Scottish adventure at the end of July, with the opening of the first of the 2017 summer camps in Paisley.
Volunteers arrived early for a final period of preparation to make sure everyone and everything was well and truly ready for a successful and hectic week. At an evening gathering, the team met some of the young people... Read More »
New book out now - 'Life of Don Bosco, Told to Children
Posted: Thu, 3 Aug 2017 08:47
Out this week, the latest book from Don Bosco Publications is a retelling of the life of Don Bosco especially for children aged 7 - 12, written by Rosa Navarro Durán, beautifully illustrated by Jordi Vila Delclos, and translated from the original Spanish by Josie Bland.
With chapters on Mamma Margaret, Don Bosco's dreams, and the tale of Grigio - the mysterious grey dog who protected the saint,... Read More »
Rise 2017 - an elevating experience for young leaders
Posted: Wed, 2 Aug 2017 10:50
Rise and shine at Crosby beach
Br Greg Echegwo SDB tells us about this year's Rise Young Leaders' programme:
What a stunning and very elevating Rise Summer Camp of 2017 took place in Savio House between 24th to 28th of July!
They were six young people between the age of 14 to 17 that participated in this year phenomenal summer programme, planned to empower and inspire our young people to cultivate and... Read More »
Salesians, Jesuits & Assumption Sisters prepare their overseas volunteers
Posted: Tue, 1 Aug 2017 14:13
Photo: Anita Motha
Staff and religious from the Salesians, Jesuits, Assumption Sisters and Columbans joined forces again last week to prepare their new volunteers for overseas service. The group gathered for five days, hosted by the Assumption Sisters at Millaret House, in central London's Heythrop College, for this year's Lay Missionary Volunteer Network (LMVN) orientation week, to introduce volunteers... Read More »