Online retreat explored how we face pain and suffering
Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:49
Last Saturday, we hosted the second of our two online Lent retreats, created by Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB and Sr Susan Richert PVBM.
Twenty five participants joined us on Zoom to explore the challenging topic 'Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional' and to share their own thoughts and experiences, along with some times of prayer and reflection. The aim was to look at how we face and acknowledge... Read More »
New Bootle Cooperators' Centre is now official
Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2021 11:02
The necessary restrictions on gathering in person have not held back the growth of the Salesian Cooperators in the GBR Province, and last week, the new centre based at St James, Bootle, near Liverpool, received its official decree of establishment.
Events and meetings for Cooperators have been taking place online when in-person meetings have not been possible, but Cooperators across the Province are... Read More »
Don Bosco Youth Net General Executive Body
Posted: Sun, 21 Mar 2021 17:18
Throughout the Pandemic, the work of Don Bosco Youth-Net (DBYN) has been continuing virtually. In March 2021, the General Executive Body met to discuss the focal points for the network over the period 2022-2024. Youth Ministries from all over Europe, including Jonny from the UK, and a past Savio House volunteer, Moïse, representing Mouvement Salésien des Jeunes FRB (France and South Belgium).... Read More »
Fifth Sunday of Lent: It is in living service that we find true glory
Posted: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 14:15
Reflecting on the gospel for 5th Sunday of Lent (John 12: 20-33) Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB looks at the difficult concept of the 'glory' of the cross. (Photo by Catalina Fedorova on Unsplash)
I have always found it fascinating that the great Temple of Jerusalem had the 'Courtyard of the Gentiles', where non-Jews were always made welcome and would never be excluded. On one of my visits to pray at the... Read More »
Passover in Judaism
Posted: Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:56
Faith Matters is a magazine produced by sixth formers at St John Bosco College Battersea for an adult audience. By kind permission of the editorial team, we feature Benjamin's Nunoo's article setting Passover in its faith context, and including an interview with Ruth Jampel, Director of Judaism for Schools, on what the festival means to her, and how she and her family celebrate Pesach together. (Image:... Read More »
The silence that speaks
Posted: Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:38
In his article this week, Catholic teacher and Deacon, Michael Bennett asks us to look closely at our schools and our world to find the silent sermons of God all around us.
As a teenager I used to enjoy Sunday evening Mass. It was a great time for young people. It meant that I could lie in on a Sunday morning, go to Ju-jitsu and laze around the day with friends. There was, however, one drawback. The... Read More »
Lenten thoughts from Salesian Brothers - how well do we know Jesus?
Posted: Mon, 15 Mar 2021 11:08
Br Martin Pushparaj SDB offers a thought for Lent in the latest of a series of videos produced by St John Bosco College, Battersea, and featuring our Salesian Brothers.
Br Martin reflects on the different relationships we have in our lives, from close family ties to the 'Hi ... Bye' encounters we have with those we hardly know.
He says that Lent is a good time to ask which group Jesus comes into in our... Read More »
We are a Church of hope, celebration, and light
Posted: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 14:05
Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB looks at the glimpses of joy we are given on 4th Sunday of Lent: Laetare Sunday and Mothering Sunday. Image: Jesus and Nicodemus by Henry Ossawa Tanner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Today we meet the interesting character, Nicodemus; he is only mentioned in John's gospel, firstly as the one who visits Jesus 'by night'. He seems to have been a member of the Jewish court,... Read More »
Summum Opus Dei
Posted: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 13:23
In this week's Catholic Teacher article, Mike ponders the importance of the phrase "summum opus Dei".
The great Franciscan philosopher and theologian John Duns Scotus called Christ the "summum opus Dei"; literally translated to the "highest work of God". Christ was, is and will always be the ultimate revelation of God—spirit and matter combined in perfect unity and relationship. Christ is in all... Read More »
Our schools begin the return to another 'new normal'
Posted: Tue, 9 Mar 2021 16:30
We are extremely proud of our Salesian schools, their staff and students, all of whom have worked so hard to manage within the constraints placed on them to keep everyone safe, and this week's phased return for students in England has of course presented its own challenges. Preparations have been made and plans created to put the practical elements in place and to provide additional emotional and spiritual... Read More »