Online retreatants shared their Lenten stories
Posted: Tue, 9 Mar 2021 13:55
We held the first of our two online Lenten retreats on Saturday 6 March, with 24 participants coming together on Zoom to pray and reflect on the topic 'God's story; our story'.
The content of the retreat was created by Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB and Sr Susan Richert PVBM, and included an agape meal and small discusssion groups exploring what our different pandemic stories have taught us, and what we... Read More »
Pope Francis in Iraq – ‘in the eyes of God we are all brothers and sisters’
Posted: Tue, 9 Mar 2021 10:37
On Sunday, during his historic visit to Iraq, Pope Francis stood amid the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Mosul and shared three thoughts: (Photo: ANS)
If God is the God of life – for so He is – then it is wrong for us to kill our brothers and sisters in His Name.
If God is the God of peace – for so He is – then it is wrong for us to wage war... Read More »
Lenten thoughts from Salesian Brothers - a time of rediscovery
Posted: Mon, 8 Mar 2021 10:24
In the latest Lenten video created by the Salesian Brothers for St John Bosco College Battersea, Deacon Joe SDB begins by reflecting on joy, as he recalls a visit back to Vietnam, where he rediscovered the joys of family and home.
He goes on to show us that Lent is a time of rediscovery, when we can rediscover Jesus, and through him, rediscover our relationship with God.
Deacon Joe offers some tips on... Read More »
Third Sunday of Lent: Discovering our inner sanctuary
Posted: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 15:26
In the gospel for 3rd Sunday of Lent, we see Jesus 'cleansing the Temple' (John 2: 13-25). Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB reflects on Lent as an opportunity to cooperate with Jesus to give our lives a spring-clean and find the sacred space within ourselves. Image: The Cleansing of the Temple by Giuseppe Passeri, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Today we turn to John's gospel and share his account of... Read More »
Thornleigh altar servers recommissioned in online service
Posted: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 14:00
Thornleigh students Joseph and Thomas were recommissioned as Altar Servers last weekend during an online service.
The two brothers attended the Diocese of Salford's Altar Servers' Retreat on Saturday 27 February 2021, where Bishop John Arnold spoke to the participants about the ministry of serving, in our current times and in the future.
In addition to the recommissioning service, the retreat included... Read More »
Fairtrade Fortnight: ‘Choose the World You Want’
Posted: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 11:40
The theme for Fairtrade Fortnight this year, (22 February to 7 March 2021), is 'Choose The World You Want'. Our Province Justice and Peace Coordinator, Fr Marco Villani SDB, reports on an online event he attended this week, organised by Dover District Council in partnership with the Fairtrade Foundation:
The main speaker for the event, Adam Gardner, Head of Campaigns for the Fairtrade Foundation, spoke... Read More »
Setting the World on Fire
Posted: Wed, 3 Mar 2021 15:32
For Catholic teacher and deacon, Michael Bennett, righteous anger at the inequalities faced by so many children fuels the hope and courage educators need to help all children achieve their full potential, and to be the people God made them to be. (Image: adapted from a Photo by Timon Studler on Unsplash)
This morning I woke up to these words of wisdom attributed to St Catherine of Siena:
"If you are... Read More »
Lenten thoughts from Salesian Brothers - saying no to ourselves
Posted: Tue, 2 Mar 2021 17:16
In the second video offering reflections for Lent from Salesian Brothers, created by St John Bosco College Battersea, Br Augustine SDB offers thoughts on the importance of learning to deny ourselves during Lent.
He reminds us that we have the example of Christian heroes to help us in saying 'no' to ourselves, and that we actually gain benefits from the practice of self-denial, such as better willpower,... Read More »
Father Michael SDB is 80!
Posted: Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:33
Br Ste Lloyd pays tribute to Fr Michael Winstanley SDB on his 80th birthday.
On 25th February 1941, the Winstanley family were blessed with a great gift from God, and on 25th February 2021, the Salesian Family continues to be blessed by the presence of this great gift from God.
Fr Michael's Salesian life has seen him serve as teacher, lecturer, formation delegate, Rector and Provincial (twice) not to... Read More »
Bermondsey school's innovative Ash Wednesday
Posted: Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:08
One of our Fellowship Schools used imagination and a lot of planning, to unite their school community on Ash Wednesday:
"The community of St Michael's Catholic College in Bermondsey found a way to celebrate the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday 2021 by having palm ashes, blessed by our own Fr Alan, then posted out to families and staff to allow them to mark the beginning of Lent.
"Staff at St Michael's... Read More »