Free summer audit program, life-changing classes are “gift to the Church”

by | Mar 31, 2023 | a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Education, Evangelization, Events / Calendar, Faith, Formation, FREE Catholic resources, Online Course

Original publication: https://aleteia.org/2023/03/30/free-summer-audit-program-and-life-changing-classes-are-a-gift-to-the-church/ Courtesy of St. Bernard’s Adjunct professor Fr. Peter Van Lieshout Zoe Romanowsky – published on 03/30/23 The COVID shutdown led St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester, New York, to find a way to offer formation, education, and hope to students around the world. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester, New York, wanted to give back to the community. The school, led by President Dr. Stephen Loughlin and Vice President Dr. Matthew Kuhner, thought there was no better way to do that than to give the gift of learning —  to offer formation, education, and hope in an accessible way during a trying time. That’s how the school’s One Free Summer Audit initiative was born. The initiative ended up being so successful, it’s become an important feature of every summer semester. Now in its fourth year, the program continues to attract people from across the country and around the world, last year drawing over 350 auditing students — a 92% increase in participants compared to the year before. Auditors were from Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Nigeria, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, and several other countries, as well as Americans from 35...

January 23: Catholic feast day called “The Espousal of Mary and Joseph.”

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Celebration!, Defend Life, Events / Calendar, Family MInistry, FREE Catholic resources, Marriage and the Family, Prayer Intentions, the Devil

Considering the passing of the recent [DIS]Respect for Marriage Act, I believe it is time that you and I bring this feast day back into a wide and devout practice. Click here for story of a marriage saved and the prayer that saved it. Did you know that in 1969, Governor Ronald Reagan of California made what he later admitted was one of the biggest mistakes of his political life? He signed the nation’s first no-fault divorce bill. And the result? Today we see a steady crumbling of the foundation of all social structures—marriage and the family. For many Fatima devotees this comes as no surprise; Our Lady warned of a “great chastisement in the second half of the twentieth century.” As a confirmation of this prophecy, Sr. Lucia wrote the following in a letter to her dear friend, Cardinal Carlo Caffarra in 1983 or 1984:  “Father, a time will come when the decisive battle between the kingdom of Christ and Satan will be over marriage and the family. And those who will work for the good of the family will experience persecution and tribulation. But do not be afraid, because Our Lady has already crushed his head.” My friend, can...

Happy Feast Day of Saint Francis de Sales!

by | Jan 24, 2023 | a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Celebration!, Events / Calendar, Francis de Sales, Messages of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, Salesian News, Salesian Saints

We join with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, as part of the Salesian Family of St. John Bosco, in honoring our mutual Patron Saint! Enjoy reading the Letter of Pope Francis on this gentle yet strong holy man. Dear Friends, The Oblates of St. Francis of de Sales in the United States join with all of our Salesian family in celebrating the feast of our patron, the Gentleman Saint. Celebrating the Feast Day is particularly special this year as we bring to a close our Double Salesian Jubilee Year marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis de Sales and the 450th anniversary of the birth of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. The highlight of the Year was Pope Francis issuing an Apostolic Letter on Saint Francis de Sales. In Totum Amoris Est (“Everything Pertains To Love”), the Pope summarizes the spiritual legacy left to us by Saint Francis de Sales. The Letter includes many of Saint Francis’ teachings and reminds us that these are as relevant today as they were 400 years ago. As a friend of the Oblates, you already know the power and impact of Salesian Spirituality. Through your friendship and support, the Oblates have the humble privilege...

Festa di San Giovanni Bosco in Basilica a Torino e al Colle

by | Jan 24, 2023 | a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Celebration!, Don Bosco, Events / Calendar

Gentile collega, segnaliamo, con gentile preghiera di diffusione, il programma dei festeggiamenti dedicati a San Giovanni Bosco per il mese di gennaio 2023 che si terranno presso la Basilica Maria Ausiliatrice di Torino-Valdocco e presso la Basilica di San Giovanni Bosco del Colle Don Bosco, in occasione della solennità del Santo, il 31 gennaio 2023. BASILICA MARIA AUSILIATRICE – VALDOCCO – MARTEDÌ 24 GENNAIO | FESTA DI SAN FRANCESCO DI SALES Ore 18.30 – Concelebrazione Eucaristica, presiede il Rettor Maggiore don Ángel Fernández Ártime 25-26-27 GENNAIO | TRIDUO: DON BOSCO OGGI NEL MONDO Mercoledì 25 ore 18.30 – Don Bosco in Sud America: don Gabriel Romero Trasmesso su VIDEONORD (canale 83 del d.t.) Giovedì 26 ore 18.30 – Don Bosco in Africa: don Alphonse Owoudou Trasmesso su VIDEONORD (canale 83 del d.t.) Venerdì 27 ore 18.30 – Don Bosco in Asia Sud: don Michael Pulianmakal Trasmesso su VIDEONORD (canale 83 del d.t.) SABATO 28 GENNAIO | CONCERTO IN ONORE DI DON BOSCO Ore 20.00 – Omaggio a don Bosco con i giovani del Liceo Musicale Cavour (TO) LUNEDÌ 30 GENNAIO Ore 10.30-12.30 e 14.00–16.30 – Apertura Cappella delle Reliquie Ore 17.00 – Santo Rosario animato dalle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice Ore 18.00 – Messa Vespertina, Mons. Alessandro Giraudo, Neo-Vescovo...