Pandemic teaches us we need to work together
Posted: Mon, 1 Jun 2020 10:29
In a letter to supporters, the General Councillor for Salesian Missions, Alfred Maravilla, SDB, writes about the international efforts of Salesians in meeting the challenges of COVID-19, and the lessons we are learning from the pandemic. Photo: Salesian Missions
Dear friends of the Salesian missions,
When the pandemic of the COVID-19 virus broke out, the Mission Department of the Salesian Headquarters... Read More »
Salesian Farnborough’s 23,000 km challenge
Posted: Thu, 28 May 2020 21:47
For over 10 years, students for Salesian College Farnborough have visited the City of Joy in Zambia to learn about and support the work of the charity Share the Light, which was born at the school, and is now preparing for a new chapter with exciting new developments being planned.
Naturally, the Zambia trip is not possible this year, but to make up for it, Salesian has created a very tough challenge... Read More »
Updated COVID-19 statement for our Province
Posted: Thu, 28 May 2020 19:20
During this time when the Government is considering ways to gradually lift the lockdown, it is clear that social distancing measures will continue to be necessary to reduce the transmission of coronavirus. The country is being urged to 'STAY ALERT' and avoid "non-essential" social contact, including public transport, workplaces (where work can be done at home) and people from other households. As a... Read More »
Salesians in Bangalore step up COVID-19 aid as cases rise
Posted: Thu, 28 May 2020 18:40
The Salesian Province of Bangalore, which covers the two most southerly states of India, Kerala and Karnataka, are continuing to respond to the needs of people during the pandemic, as the numbers affected by coronavirus increase. In an update to our Province, Fr Payyamthadathil George SDB writes, "mostly due to inter-state travel by migrants and inflow of those who were stranded abroad, thousands of... Read More »
Salesian Cooperator’s 'Virtual Grandad Walk' for destitute asylum seekers
Posted: Thu, 28 May 2020 17:27
For Refugee Week, Paul Barnes, Salesian Cooperator, former BOVA volunteer and Shrigley Old Boy, raised funds for the Bolton Destitution Project with a sponsored Virtual Grandad Walk. Between the 20 April and 20 May, Paul strolled 167 miles around Bolton to clock up the equivalent of a trip to see his grandchildren in Hemel Hempstead. (Photo: Bolton News)
Paul is Coordinator of the Bolton Destitution... Read More »
The 'Dim Sum' approach to education
Posted: Thu, 28 May 2020 17:20
This week, Mike looks at the importance of truly reaching young people in building the foundation of good teaching and learning in a Catholic school. (Photo: Charles Deluvio on Unsplash)
I have been blessed by the fraternal love of the Salesians of Bootle, which led me to the wider Salesian family and ultimately to the Lasallian family. To work, worship and belong to these communities, whose essence... Read More »
Pentecost - bringing out the best in humanity.
Posted: Wed, 27 May 2020 18:25
Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB reflects on the feast of Pentecost in this difficult year
(Image: Bamberg State Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
One of the amazing POSITIVE effects of being in lockdown due to Covid-19 is the sense of UNITY that it has engendered. As a global family we are, literally, all in this together. We have seen the very best of humanity in the most appalling of situations,... Read More »
The Salesian Educational Approach as a personal spirituality
Posted: Wed, 27 May 2020 11:49
A new presentation by Fr David O'Malley SDB, sets out the concept of an inner Salesian spirituality, and is addressed especially to those who do not have a strong faith background:
The Salesians have always said that they have an educational philosophy that spells out how and why we work together in the task of education. What is less appreciated is that there is also an underlying personal spirituality... Read More »
What does it mean to ‘have devotion to Mary’?
Posted: Mon, 25 May 2020 01:43
As we celebrate the feast of Mary Help of Christians, (transferred from 24 May this year, which falls on a Sunday), Fr Tony Fernandes SDB relects on the devotion to her that Don Bosco urged on us. (See the link below for details of the livestreamed Mass for the feast)
When we celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, what comes to my mind is simply that Mary, who was the first help to Jesus during... Read More »
Savio Salesian staff tell students how much they're missed
Posted: Thu, 21 May 2020 23:06
As the first half of summer term draws to a close, with most students unable to attend our schools, the staff of Savio Salesian College Bootle made a video full of hope and care for the students they have been teaching remotely. MFL teacher Mrs Davies reminds us all of our importance to the wholeness of each others' lives: 'In French, you don't say "I miss you"; you say "you are missing from me" '.... Read More »