New Novices
Posted: Wed, 15 Aug 2007
On the evening of the Feast of the Assumption (15 August 2007) Sandy Fairley from the GBR Province and three other young men began their novitiate, a year of preparation for making their first profession as Salesians of Don Bosco.
Sandy, with Fr Jim Heuser, and the American novices
This year there is only one novice from the UK, so Sandy has travelled to the United States, to Port Chester, New... Read More »
Ninety eight not out!
Posted: Fri, 15 Jun 2007
Brother Christopher Gorton had a day away from the Nursing Home to celebrate his 98th Birthday with his Salesian community. He thoroughly enjoyed the meal, joined in the sing song and even made a short speech!
Brother Chris was born in Great Harwood, Lancashire, on 15th June 1908, six years before the start of WW1. He made his novitiate in Cowley and was professed as a Salesian Brother in 1934. For... Read More »
DPhil for UK Salesian
Posted: Sat, 9 Jun 2007
Fr Martin Poulsom SDB graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy at Oxford University on June 9th 2007. He is a past pupil of Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton, and a member of the Salesian Community in Battersea, London.
Fr Martin's thesis, Creation and the Structure of Theological Discourse, required four years of hard research, including reading the works of the Dutch Dominican theologian, Edward Schillebeeckx.... Read More »
Moshi, here we come!
Posted: Fri, 8 Jun 2007
Sixth Formers from Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton, met in the Community House on Friday 8th June, 2007, for a social evening - part of their preparations for their visit to Moshi, Tanzania.
Part of the Thornleigh group with Fr Brian Jerstice (right)
The trip is being organised by Fr Martin Coyle SDB, Headteacher (left of photograph), Fr Andrew Waller, Head of Sixth Form (centre) and Jackie, a history... Read More »
Two events in Catholic Education
Posted: Tue, 5 Jun 2007
Professor Gerald Grace hosted the launch of a book entitled Can There Be a Catholic Curriculum? at the Institute of Education in London on 5 June 2007. Professor Grace, who led a Salesian Inservice weekend on the significance of mission statements, is the Director of the Centre for Research and Development in Catholic Education based at the Institute.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols gave the keynote speech... Read More »
Mass in Jerusalem
Posted: Tue, 29 May 2007
On Thursday 29th March 2007 the Ratisbonne Salesian Community gathered for Mass in the Church of the Agony at Gethsemane. The rocky outcrop in front of the altar is said by traditon to be the place where Jesus prayed to his Father on the eve of his passion and death.
Fr Francis Preston presided at the Mass. The photograph above includes the three Deacons from the Dominican Republic who spent part... Read More »
Don Bosco 2007
Posted: Mon, 28 May 2007 14:46
Don Bosco Cup 2007
We had an excellent day at Ewell yesterday (28th May 2007). The Rector of Battersea, Fr Des O'Riordan, started the day with Mass in the Social Club. Then four Salesian teams - Battersea Old Boys and School, Chertsey and Farnborough - competed in a physically demanding football tournament over 4 hours. There was plenty of food and drink including a barbecue, and a good number of spectators.... Read More »
From Pentecost to Visitation
Posted: Sun, 27 May 2007
The Provincial Chapter of the Great Britain Province met at Savio House from the evening of Pentecost Sunday (27 May) to the morning of the Feast of the Visitation (31 May).
The members and observers at the 2007 Provincial Chapter
There were twenty three voting members, including the Provincial, Fr Michael Winstanley (centre forward in the photograph), his Council, Rectors and Delegates from the Salesian... Read More »
An informal visit
Posted: Thu, 10 May 2007
Fr Albert Van Hecke SDB, General Councillor for the Northern European Region, found a few empty days in his diary from 10 to 15 May 2007. He decided to use them for a short informal visit to Great Britain.
On arrival at Manchester airport he was met by Fr Michael Winstanley, the GBR Provincial, who took him to Bolton to see the new Provincial Offices and the home for the senior Salesians, St Joseph's,... Read More »
Schools Pilgrimage
Posted: Fri, 4 May 2007
From Friday 4 May to Monday 7 May a group from Salesian Schools in Great Britain, led by the Province Formation Delegate, Fr John Dickson SDB, made a pilgrimage to the homeland of Don Bosco.
The group in front of the Shrine at Colle Don Bosco
The group of 22, given wonderful hospitality at Valdocco, included headteachers, senior staff and governors from the five Salesian Schools and the one... Read More »