by SrDeniseSickinger | Jan 14, 2022 | Accompaniment, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Fraternal Love, Missions, World Meeting of Families
Promoted by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, the #IamChurch initiative consists in five videos demonstrating the daily struggles of persons with disabilities who, far from feeling burdensome or “set aside”, provide their own specific contribution within their ecclesial communities. “‘We’ not ‘they’ – disability in the life of the Church” is the title of the fourth video. By Vatican News staff reporter The fourth video in the #IamChurch series is a reflection by Australian Jesuit priest, Fr. Justin Glyn S.J., who – starting from his condition of disability – addresses the issue of limits, which belongs to every human being. Fr. Glyn – who has dealt with similar topics in an issue of Civiltà Cattolica and in numerous other essays – refutes the idea, still too widespread, that disability is a fault. Rather, he affirms: “Our limitations are not misfortunes or punishments, but are part of the secret of our condition as human beings who, in their own way, share the image of God and together build the Body of Christ.” It is in this perspective that, when speaking of disability in the life of the Church, it is possible to say – finally – “We” and not “They.”...
by SrDeniseSickinger | Jan 14, 2022 | a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Anniversary Celebrations, Fraternal Love, Missions, Outreach
12 January 2022 (ANS – New Rochelle) – Beginning this month, “Salesian Missions”, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joyfully celebrates its 75th anniversary – a significant milestone in its long and fruitful partnership with generous friends. Together with its donors and friends, it has helped more than three million children around the world turn their lives around. Ever since Father James O’Loughlen first established the Salesian Missions office in 1947, with a charter to tell the stories of our global works and rally support for our efforts, it has achieved success after remarkable success, not for themselves, but for the poorest, most disenfranchised, and most vulnerable children and families living in more than 130 countries around the world. “Those successes are truly countless,” says Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions. “More importantly, they are individually significant and transformative. Ever since I stepped into this role three years ago, I have heard about so many children and adults whose names I will always remember. These very real people are building much brighter futures thanks to the education, training, social support and other assistance they needed but never could have accessed on their own.” And it...
by SrDeniseSickinger | Dec 21, 2021 | a current event, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Missions, Outreach, Past Pupils, Salesian Family Gatherings, Salesian Past Pupils, Social Commitment
By Mr Peter Kovac, DBPP General Secretary – Don Bosco World Confederation Slovakia – USA, 21-12-21 — The Di BOSCo Coffee Salesian Family Gathering took place last Saturday, 11 December at Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, New Jersey (USA) from 2:30 – 4:00 PM. It was a great opportunity to meet Mr Peter Kovac, Don Bosco Past Pupil from Slovakia and Co-Founder of Di BOSCo Coffee, and get him to tell the Di BOSCo story. The event was free and conducted in the spirit of Don Bosco’s Oratory and everyone, especially families with children and students, were welcome! All felt at home in this Salesian atmosphere of faith, fun, friends, and delicious snacks: coffee, chocolate, and cookies galore! Fr Tom Dunne, SDB with Sr Denise Sickinger, FMA and other animators of the Salesian Family in SUE province were present at the event (photo). DI BOSCo is a company made up of Don Bosco Past Pupils network – coffee growers, processors, retailers, distributors and coffee shop owners. Started with an inspiration during the Don Bosco Past Pupils World Congress by Thai Past Pupils (Chiang Mai) who brought their coffee to Rome. The...
by SrDeniseSickinger | Dec 20, 2021 | Accompaniment, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Missions, Outreach, Persecutions, Salesians of Don Bosco, SDB
By Fr. Gabriel Cruz SDB Lahore, Pakistan 20 December 2021 — In the second week of December the Salesian community, Don Bosco Lahore was able to distribute humanitarian aid to Afghan immigrant-refugees and communities in Pakistan. The beneficiaries of this aid have been 200 Afghan families who are in the community of Peshawar. This activity has been carried out with the cooperation and coordination of the local authorities, the police and city administration, who have facilitated the distribution. We are infinitely grateful for the joint donations of the offices of Don Bosco Missio Aachen, Don Bosco New Rochelle, and Don Bosco Switzerland who were the main benefactors. Afghan refugee families in Pakistan are still waiting for a lot of help. Let us continue to pray for them. ...
by SrDeniseSickinger | Nov 16, 2021 | Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Missions, Salesian Missionary Expedition, Salesians of Don Bosco, SDB
(ANS – Rome) – Daniel Glass is a young American, 33-years-old, who grew up in the Province of the United States East and Canada (SUE) but destined for the Province of Africa Congo Congo (ACC). He is the second missionary to be featured in ANS in view of the 152nd Salesian Missionary Expedition (Turin-Valdocco, 21 November 2021). Speaking of what prompted him to become a missionary, he states: “Two things, above all: to be completely available to the Rector Major to fill in and go where the Congregation might need me the most; and the desire to serve God above all else. Because being sent away from your home province and comfort zone is that step into the unknown that can bring out a great leap of faith and a deeper dependence on God. Did you choose the destination or was it assigned to you? Are you happy with it? In some ways, the Congo was certainly my choice, but directly -No! It was not! When I was accepted, I said I had an openness to being sent to Africa and learning French as well, among other preferences… In any case, I have always been happy with my assignments and ministries as...
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