Krakow, Poland - September 2023 - The Salesian parish of St Stanislaus Kostka in Krakow-Dębniki has been the scene of several important celebrations in recent days. On 16 September, the Salesian former pupil, Maestro Mieczysław Tuleja, was celebrated for his 60th anniversary of service as organist in the Salesian parish. The event was experienced with a Mass, at the end of which there were speeches by former pupils of the Maestro, including many famous musicians who performed a concert in his honour. Maestro Mieczysław Tuleja was then presented with the Polish Culture Merit Badge of Honour by the Minister of Culture, Piotr Gliński, A parish celebration followed the next day, during which the new altar dedicated to St Stanislaus Kostka, the work of Salesian confreres Fr Robert and Fr Leszek Kruczek, was blessed.
Piła, Poland - September 2023 - The formation year that is beginning for the Salesian Family all over the world is a special one, because in 2024 the bicentenary of John Bosco's childhood dream will be celebrated. The Salesian Province of Piła (PLN), began this special jubilee time with the "Boski Festiwal Lite" events, held from 15-17 September on the theme "The dream comes true!" Various representatives from the different branches of the Salesian Family and members of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) communities from the PLN Province, totalling over 400 people, attended the event. During the days, the participants experienced moments of sharing, prayer, catechesis, the traditional Salesian 'good nights', and were also able to learn Salesian songs accompanied by the 'Schola SYM'. There was also a meeting of those responsible for the altar boys groups in the Province, and a meeting of Salesian Cooperators, accompanied by the PLN Vice-Provincial, Fr Krzysztof Rudziński. The highlight of 16 September was the solemn Eucharist celebrated by the PLN Provincial, Fr Tadeusz Itrych. During the homily, Fr Krzysztof Tomeczkowski, Delegate for Youth Ministry PLN, spoke about the value of dreams and dreaming. Then there were spectacular games and a concert by the Siewcy Lednicy Group. The last day was a time of farewell and review that ended with the Eucharist celebrated by Fr Krzysztof Tomeczkowski. Each community received a special gift: a flag with the image of the dream at nine years of age.
Photo: Oliwia Woźniak
Sokołów Podlaski, Poland – September 2023 – It was 1 September 1993 when the bells at the Salesian Secondary School in Sokołów Podlaski rang for the first time. Now, on 16 September, the 30th anniversary, a meeting was held to celebrate and retrace the results achieved by the school and remember the people who work and have worked there. The celebration began at the Cultural Centre in Sokołów, with many guests and the entire school community present to attend some conferences on Don Bosco's education system. This was followed by an artistic performance, performed by the actors of the school's "Plaudite" theatre club, and a performance of "Sokołowianie Song and Dance", in whose ranks many of the school's students have been dancing and singing for years. The next part of the ceremony took place in the Church of St John Bosco, with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Tadeusz Jarecki, Provincial of Warsaw, and concelebrated by numerous priests. After Mass and after a small refreshment, a visit was made to the new wing of the school, in the presence of some Past Pupils. Many things have changed over these 30 years, and those involved in the history of the school have changed. It was first directed by Fr Stanisław Bogdański, then for four years by Fr Julian Dzierżak. Subsequently, it was entrusted to Fr Dariusz Matuszyński, who ensured the institute a climate of mutual help, trust and security. Currently, the school is led by Fr Stanisław Stachal, who continues to make the institute prosper.
(ANS – Warsaw) - The Salesian Society, Province of St Stanislaus Kostka in Warsaw has been awarded a grant of PLN 28,000,000 to implement Industry Skills Centres (BCU) in the field of furniture industry in carpentry and upholstery at the First Degree level Vocational Special School in Różanystok (Podlaskie Voivodeship) and in the field of operation and maintenance of rail transportation at the Salesian Crafts Schools located in the city of Łódź (Łódzkie Voivodeship). The managing body for both schools is the Warsaw Province. The amount of funding for each centre is PLN 14 000 000.
Cracow, Poland - September 2023 - On 12 and 13 September, the Rectors of the communities and those in charge of Salesian presences in the Salesian Province of Poland-Cracow (PLS) gathered at the Salesian Seminary for a meeting that was both informative and formative. The special guest was Fr Wojciech Węgrzyniak, a well-known priest from the Archdiocese of Krakow, who gave a lecture on the theme of "Unity". The meeting was a time for serious reflection on the state of the PLS Province. The various PLS Provincial Delegates also shared their work and presented a new action plan.
Photo: PLS Facebook page
Kopiec, Poland - September 2023 - Four young men made their first Salesian religious profession on 8 September, feast of the Nativity of Mary, at Kopiec, the location of the novitiate four the four Polish Provinces. Fr Bartłomiej Polański, Superior of the Wrocław Province (PLO), received these professions. The Mass of profession was celebrated by the Superior of the Krakow Province (PLS), Fr Marcin Kaznowski. All four newly professed are now in Krakow to begin their philosophical studies.
Photo: PLS Archive
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – A Salesian on the front line of the war in Ukraine: "Being close counts, words come later"
(ANS - Rome) - As he tells with a gentleness that does not seem to come from horror, he is "resting a little bit" in Rome these days. Fr Oleh Ladnyuk is a Ukrainian Salesian priest who is a military chaplain at the front, among the soldiers who fight in defence of their country and among the civilians who for over two years have seen their lives wiped out. He brings humanitarian aid where the missiles fall and from those places he helps with the evacuation of young people and adults - so far at least 500 people, but there are probably many more. These days the Salesian – who carries out his ministry in Dnipro and teaches History in a state school in the city – is in Rome to take part with two other priests and a dozen lay people from his country in the "Accompanying when Trauma Hits" course hosted by the Pontifical Salesian University in collaboration with the Faculty of Educational Sciences, with the DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation and the Don Bosco Network. A project that aims to provide theoretical and methodological tools to deal with the traumas caused by war.
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts
(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of protection and prevention models": PGS conference with UPS
(ANS – Rome) – The synergy between the Salesian Youth Sports Centres (PGS) and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome gave rise to the conference on "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of models of protection and prevention", which will take place on 13 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the UPS facilities in Rome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian Missions highlights programs that provide shelter and support
(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and international organizations around the globe in highlighting the plight of homeless children on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children in countries worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BORORO
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
Diary of a Happy and Blessed Missionary Day
Dear friends , I’m writing to you from Meruri in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. I write this greeting almost as if it were a journalistic report, because it has been only 24 hours since I arrived in the middle of this Brazilian state.