Shrigley Reunion goes online
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:39
The Shrigley Old Boys are recreating their reunion this year as a 'virtual' event. Initially planned for the last weekend of September, this will now take place on the weekend of 10-11 October 2020.
In the current situation, it was no longer possible to hold the planned reunion at the former Salesian Missionary College, Shrigley (now Shrigley Hall Hotel and Spa, near Macclesfield). Instead, on the evening... Read More »
Bootle Brownies meet once again!
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:10
The Salesian parish of St James Bootle was delighted to be able to bring together their Brownies group recently:
Our Brownies have recently enjoyed their first outdoor meeting since the lockdown. They met to get together and say goodbye to our Year 6 leavers from the summer term and to celebrate their time in the Brownies. To mark this occasion they all received special leaving gifts: a special Girlguiding... Read More »
Challenged to both LOVE and SERVE the Lord
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:07
A reflection on the Gospel for 26th Sunday of the year, by Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB. (Image: Parable of the Two Sons by Bernadette Lopez, via Qumran2.net)
Our Gospel today has Jesus telling the story of the two sons; while Luke shares the amazing story of unconditional love in the beautiful and enduring tale of the Prodigal, Matthew tells the tale of the the Father asking his sons for help in the... Read More »
We're back with Prayer and a Pint on Friday night!
Posted: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 10:19
Our Friday night Salesian Youth Ministry get-together is back from this week, so join us online at 6pm on Friday 25 September. After the break over summer, it will be great to catch up, pray together, and enjoy an end-of-week drink with friends. (And you don't even have to buy a round!)
There will be a new link for the Zoom meeting, so don't use the one from before summer! Find out how to join us here.... Read More »
“Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practise what you teach”
Posted: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 10:11
In this week's Catholic Teacher Article, Mike explores his recent ordination as a deacon, and how he intends to use this role to aid his teaching.
At the beginning of the second week of the summer holidays, I was ordained a deacon. In spite of the Covid-19 restrictions, there were fifty-six guests, and St James Bootle looked fuller than it had been since the lockdown began. To be a deacon means to serve.... Read More »
Meet Br Pawel SDB
Posted: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 10:00
This week, we are introducing you to Br Pawel, who has come from Poland to spend this year of his practical training as a Salesian of Don Bosco with us in the GBR Province, where he is assisting in the school chaplaincy at Thornleigh Salesian College.
Each year, we welcome Salesians in formation to our Province, to complete part of their practical experience, or to study Theology here.
If you are thinking... Read More »
Unconditional Generosity
Posted: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 09:09
Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB reflects on the lessons for us today in the Gospel for 25th Sunday of the year, Matthew 20: 1-16.
(Image from Catholic.org)
Today's Gospel was often a source of much discussion with the idealistic students that I've had the pleasure of working with over the years: how was it just that the workers, who were dragged in at the last minute, be paid exactly the same as those hard... Read More »
Online concert raises over £4000 for children of Don Bosco Ashalayam!
Posted: Wed, 16 Sep 2020 16:33
The second online fundraising concert organised by Christ the Prince of Peace parish in Weybridge, Surrey, has raised over £4000 for the children of Don Bosco Ashalayam in Kolkata.
The parish has adopted the Ashalayam as a charity, and had planned fundraising events which were thwarted by COVID-19, but when such a valuable cause is at stake, 'the show must go on', and they found an inventive way... Read More »
Confreres help new Brothers find opportunities in Lockdown
Posted: Thu, 10 Sep 2020 17:56
Br Steven Teye Mensah SDB and Br Augustine Alfred Unuakhe SDB (first photo above) arrived in the UK as the pandemic hit, and carefully-laid plans went up in the air, but their new confreres in Battersea helped them find opportunities in difficult times, to learn new skills, explore their new city, and welcome them to the community. As the start of the new academic year begins, Br Steven has moved to... Read More »
Salesian Cooperators help Sisters feed families in Kenya
Posted: Thu, 10 Sep 2020 16:00
Last month, we reported on the work the Salesian Sisters are doing to help people in a poor area near Nairobi to survive the hunger which is one consequence of the restrictions imposed to control COVID-19, and the Salesian Cooperators in Cowley responded with a generous donation. Last week, Fr Francis Preston SDB (a member of our Province working in Nairobi) was invited to join the Sisters and meet... Read More »