'Consecrated in truth'
Posted: Thu, 13 May 2021 14:09
Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB looks at the 'integrity of truth' in the Gospel for 7th Sunday of Easter. Photo: PD Pics on Pixabay
In our gospel today we see Jesus reflecting on friendship; the disciples have 'lost' Jesus again and they need that sense of connection. Jesus prays 'Father keep those you have given me true to your name'; this time before Pentecost sees the apostles still in lockdown. The virus... Read More »
Provincial Study Day on Youth and Vocation Ministry
Posted: Wed, 12 May 2021 15:49
On 8th May 2021, Salesian Priests and Brothers around the country came together (on Zoom), for a study day under the guidance of Fr Rossano Sala SDB. Fr Sala is a Professor of Pastoral Theology and Youth Ministry at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome and is also the former Special Secretary of the Synod of Youth. He presented two sessions on the topics of "Youth Ministry after the Synod on... Read More »
Br Martin SDB makes his Perpetual Profession
Posted: Wed, 12 May 2021 13:56
The evening of May 6th, the feast of St Dominic Savio, was the occasion for Brother Martin Paul SDB to make his perpetual vows as a Salesian. This is the culmination of over six years of work, prayer, discernment and study alongside his Salesian brothers. Fr Gerry Briody received his commitment and said that the simplicity of the early church community was reflected in the vows that Martin would be... Read More »
Ascension Day - 'True spirituality is grounded in reality'
Posted: Wed, 12 May 2021 10:38
On Thursday 13 May, we come together today to celebrate Ascension Day—the day of homecoming for Jesus. This year it falls on the feast of St Mary Mazzarello, who founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesian Sisters, with Don Bosco. She is very much in the school of hands-on saints who heeded the words of the angels in our first reading, 'why ... are you looking up into the sky?'... Read More »
What does the new Ministry of Catechist mean for our parishes?
Posted: Tue, 11 May 2021 19:43
Pope Francis announced great news for parochial ministry last Wednesday morning in Rome: on his own authority ('Motu proprio'), he would be establishing an official ministry of Catechist. The Holy Father wants to officially sanction the role of so many hardworking parishioners who help us to pass on the faith. He is giving the Ritas, Johns and Sandras of our parishes an official responsibility and... Read More »
Province Study Day explored Youth and Vocations Ministry
Posted: Tue, 11 May 2021 11:11
On Saturday 8th May, the SDB Province held a Study Day with Fr Rossano Sala SDB, who was one of the two Secretaries during the Papal Synod on Young People, and was involved in preparing the original discussion document which culminated in 'Christus Vivit'.
Joining by Zoom from Rome, Fr Rossano presented two sessions on his paper, 'Youth Ministry after the Youth Synod - Ten points of no return in pandemic... Read More »
The dynamic care of St Mary Mazzarello
Posted: Thu, 6 May 2021 16:06
A reflection for the Feast of St Mary Mazzarello (13 May), co-founder of the Salesian Sisters, from Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB. Photo (SDB UK): Mural of the meeting between Mary Mazzarello and Don Bosco, Mornese.
To be cheerful we must go ahead in simplicity, not looking for satisfaction,
either from people or from the things of this world. Think only of doing your duty well for the love of Jesus and... Read More »
St Dominic Savio: listening to the young
Posted: Thu, 6 May 2021 10:14
I love this modern painting of two great Salesian saints, Laura Vicuña and Dominic Savio—both were teenagers who can still teach adults so much, especially in these difficult times. I had a copy of this painting in the chaplaincy in Savio Salesian College, Bootle; I remember well when a student pointed up to it and asked me, "is she Dominic's girlfriend?"It made me stop and think; when... Read More »
Youth Presence - new charity for children & young people
Posted: Wed, 5 May 2021 15:54
Youth Presence is a new charity, based in Kendal, Cumbria, that is dedicated to working with and supporting children and young people. Founded on Salesian values and supported by the Salesian Sisters, Youth Presence is inviting the Salesian Family to learn more about them.
The charity is holding an Online Information Event on Thursday 13th May at 2.30pm, to share its journey and vision with the Salesian... Read More »
SJBC Year 7 students learn about Baptism
Posted: Wed, 5 May 2021 11:10
Recently the Year 7 students at St John Bosco College Battersea had an opportunity to act out the ceremony of Baptism in the school chapel. It allowed students to witness what a baptism ceremony might look like. The reflections of Vicente De Oliveira from Year 7, showed how powerful he found the whole experience:
The first thing that came to my mind when I was reading from the Gospel of St Mark, was... Read More »