RE Teachers learn about Salesians of Auschwitz
Posted: Thu, 11 Feb 2021 11:50
Dr Alasdair Richardson spoke about his new book 'The Salesian Martyrs of Auschwitz' at the first of a short series of webinars hosted by Hampshire Inspection & Advisory Service this week. The theme of the series is 'Holocaust & Genocide: Issues for Religious Education', and the attendees included RE teachers and advisors from around the region.
Alasdair spoke about his research and how teachers... Read More »
Our apprentice is now a permanent member of our team! #NAW2021
Posted: Thu, 11 Feb 2021 11:06
In National Apprenticeship Week (February 8–14), Sarah Seddon, Manager of Don Bosco Publications, writes about the benefits of apprenticeship, and this year's theme for the week: #BuildTheFuture. (Photo: Dominic working from home)
This time last year, before any of us had an inkling of how 2020 would unfold, our apprentice, Dominic, was beginning his third month with us. We had assessments planned,... Read More »
Beautiful Vision
Posted: Thu, 11 Feb 2021 09:01
Catholic teacher and deacon, Mike Bennett, explores the 'beautiful vision' of Catholic education. (Photo: Taylor Wilcox on Unsplash)
I am a recently ordained permeant deacon, and I am still finding my feet. Thank the Lord for the amazing people I have around me: family, parish, Salesian Community, De La Salle Academy Croxteth and my spiritual director. My ministry is exciting, varied and allows me to... Read More »
Finding signs of hope and joy in our neighbourhoods
Posted: Wed, 10 Feb 2021 17:07
Right now, we're all in need of a smile, and the hope and joy that nature brings us in spring.
The 'Battersea fox' was snapped this week by Bursar, Chee Yan Shek, snoozing happily on the community's garden table in the (admittedly rare) sunshine.
As we move into Lent, even in urban areas, we can look for signs of spring and new life around us, and, like the fox, find opportunities to enjoy the world... Read More »
World Day for the Sick - Our Lady of Lourdes
Posted: Wed, 10 Feb 2021 16:25
Lourdes was a tiny little French town, nestling in the foothills of the Pyrenees, close to the Spanish border. It was not a place you would go to unless you had to. However, it was in this out of the way, insignificant little town that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, chose to visit the sickly, little Bernadette Soubirous. The series of apparitions between 11 February and 16 July 1858 lifted this sleepy... Read More »
Thornleigh's Young Leaders raising funds for clean water
Posted: Wed, 10 Feb 2021 12:56
Students from Thornleigh Salesian College's CAFOD Young Leaders group are working with CAFOD to combat the issue of water poverty and poor sanitation across the globe. They have set a fundraising target of £1000, and have created two charity activities so far, to help them meet it.
The group has arranged a charity football tournament and a walk, and with your help, they can achieve their target... Read More »
Cardinal Bo calls for peace and dialogue after Myanmar coup
Posted: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 19:29
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Myanmar prelate and a Salesian of Don Bosco, issued a letter on 3 February calling for peace and democracy following the coup in his country on Monday. He writes 'as a spiritual leader', to the people of Myanmar, the civilian leaders, the Myanmar Army, and the international community.
'I write with love towards all, seeking a durable solution, praying for an end forever to... Read More »
Welcoming new Salesian Cooperators in Bootle
Posted: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 17:51
The Salesian Cooperators were blessed on the Feast of Don Bosco to welcome new members to the Association at St James's Bootle. Cooperator Sue McDonald writes about the occasion, and the plans for the new Bootle Centre. Photos: Sue McDonald and David McCormick
Fr Jakub and I began a formation programme late in 2019 for a number of parishioners of St James' Parish Bootle to look at becoming Cooperators.... Read More »
Br Steven on Salesians, vocation and mission
Posted: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 17:42
Our own Br Steven Lloyd SDB was the guest on the first video in the new series of Clergy Café, broadcast live on YouTube each Wednesday evening by Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team (SYMT).
Br Ste talked to Sandy Fairley, Director of SYMT, about the Salesian mission and charism, his own vocation and the impact experiences such as his gap year at Savio House and being part of the Relics Pilgrimage... Read More »
Is 'better' the enemy of 'good'?
Posted: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 16:05
The world of education in particular is driven by unceasing urges to do better. Catholic teacher and Deacon, Mike Bennett, looks at the impact on all of us when we stop valuing what is 'good'. (Image adapted from a cartoon by Bellinon on Pixabay)
At the age of nineteen, I went to live for a short time in the village of Bartrès, near Lourdes. I had secured a gap year position working at Hosanna... Read More »