They were very informative and interesting. He left us for Guelph, ON, for studies with the Jesuits. It was a pleasure having him with us for almost a month. He was certainly a great help with all the various services. - Bro. Jerry began a new group of 25 for altar server training which will run for 6 Saturdays. This positive note that shows so much interest from our youth, from all branches of our parish family, certainly is a bright light in the beginning of this Olympic Year here in B.C.
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JERUSALEM, Israel. Jerusalem is a very unique city of all the cities in the world. This is known by most people. It is certainly experienced by those who visit. I find myself very privileged to be living here and doing theology.
The school of theology is called the Studium Theologicum Salesianum (also called Ratisbonne Monastery). It is the international Salesian centre for theology in English. There are 40 students attending this school from the States, India, Italy, Brazil, Poland, Ethiopia, Romania and Malta, among others. There are also two of us Canadians here as well, Bro Sean McEwen and myself.
These last weeks have been a real blessing. Our house of theology is only a fifteen minute walk from the church of the Holy Sepulchre, the location of Christ's death and resurrection. And only a 20 minute walk from our house is the place where Mary "died" - so goes one tradition- before being assumed into Heaven. You can imagine that praying and reading the Bible here takes on a very different meaning.
One unique experience is the Sabbath horn. About an hour before sundown on Friday, a loud air siren blares indicating to the Jews that Sabbath rest is about to begin. I had no idea what it meant; I thought there was an attack imminent, until one of the confreres told me what it was all about.
I assure you all of my prayers, especially the confreres and benefactors of our Congregation. Please pray for me. Bro. Jim Zettel
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-- Le p. Alain assistait à l’ordination diaconale de David Bergeron à Granby le 6/09. David, maintenant membre des Compagnons de la Croix, a vécu une expérience communautaire assez prolongée avec nous à la maison Québec il y a quelques années. Le lendemain, Fête du Travail, la communauté se retrouvait au Camp Savio pour l’eucharistie et un souper-BBQ fraternel.
La communauté participait le 20/09 à la rencontre annuelle des religieux/ses du diocèse à Beauvoir. Le conférencier invité, l’abbé Pierre-René Côté, a développé le thème, Saint Paul et le Mystère de notre Appel. Deux autres événements avaient lieu ce jour-là : le tournoi de golf de la Fondation et l’eucharistie d’action de grâce à Montréal Le p. Trottier, quant à lui, participait à Marie-Auxiliatrice, Mtl, à l’eucharistie d’action de grâce célébrée dans le cadre du 25e anniversaire de la bénédiction de l’église par Mgr. Paul Grégoire en 1984.
Présidée par le p. Giuseppe Costamagna, cette eucharistie a voulu aussi être une marque de reconnaissance envers les prêtres salésiens qui sont présentement au service la paroisse (les pp. Luc Lantagne, Enzo Trigatti, Tito Iannaccio, Richard Authier, le diacre Pierre Biello, coopérateur salésien, et d’une façon particulière le p. Giuseppe qui vient de laisser la direction de la paroisse), ceux qui le furent dans le passé et qui œuvrent maintenant ailleurs (les pp. Romano Venturelli, Joseph Occhio, Michael Pace, Dominique Britschu, Roméo Trottier) et ceux qui reposent dans la paix du Seigneur (les pp. Jean Faita, Thomas Szeliga et James Jeffcoat et le fr. Gérard Poirier). À la fin de l’eucharistie, plusieurs hommages furent rendus au p. Giuseppe qui vient de terminer son mandat de 12 ans comme curé de la paroisse et qui retourne, au moins temporairement, en Italie pour un séjour de service pastoral et d’études à Turin . Les paroissiens participèrent nombreux à cette célébration; on remarqua aussi une forte présence des sœurs salésiennes, dont la nouvelle Provinciale, Sr. Elizabeth Purcell. Parmi les invités d’honneur se trouvait le député fédéral, Pablo Rodriguez, Après la célébration, bon nombre de personnes se rendirent à la salle paroissiale fraterniser autour d’un succulent buffet.
Le dernier weekend du mois, le p. Alain participait avec les autres directeurs et curés des œuvres canadiennes à la rencontre des directeurs & curés de la Province St-Philippe à Stony Point, N.Y. En la même occasion, on célébrait les jubilés de profession religieuse et de prêtrise, dont ceux de quelques canadiens (voir ci-dessous).
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TORONTO-HAMILTON. Early September found most of the community members back from their summer holidays and ready to begin a new pastoral year. We had some visits from Fr. Damir Stojic who was home from Croatia. - Fr. Mike presented us numerous photos from his pilgrimage with 8 young adults; they visited places in Italy related to Don Bosco’s life. - Fr. Joe Ho left for a one month vacation to Hong Kong on the occasion of his 70th birthday. - Also on Sept. 7th Fr. George visited with Fr. Ivan Dobrsek in Hamilton on his 98th birthday. - Then on Sept. 8th our community celebrated Fr. Frank Kelly's 50th anniversary of religious profession.
SHERBROOKE. Nous sommes toujours pendant l’Année de l’Astronomie. Ne serait-ce pas une occasion rêvée de nous enrichir de connaissances sur les merveilles de l’univers? Une dimension significative de cette « célébration » a été exprimée par Benoit XVI lors de la prière de l’Angélus en présence des pèlerins et touristes rassemblés sur la Place St-Pierre un dimanche midi il y a près d’un an. Je veux ne citer que quelques lignes de cette intervention de Benoit XVI.
L’une des fonctions de l'astronomie est « de rythmer les temps de la prière... L'Angélus, par exemple, se récite le matin, à midi et le soir, et c'est grâce à la méridienne, qui servait dans l'antiquité à connaître le ‘ vrai midi’ que l'on réglait les horloges » S’adressant à la foule de la fenêtre de son appartement donnant sur la Place St-Pierre, il fit remarquer que celle-ci et son obélisque forment une méridienne.: « le grand obélisque, en effet projette son ombre le long d'une ligne qui court sur les pavés vers la fontaine [qui se trouve] sous cette fenêtre, et ces jours-ci, l'ombre est la plus longue de l'année ». Benoît XVI a expliqué que le « mystère de salut, par l'incarnation, la passion et la résurrection du Christ, a une dimension cosmique, et pas seulement historique... le Christ est le soleil de la grâce qui, par sa lumière, transfigure et illumine l'univers en attente ». Il a aussi fait observer que « la place même de la fête de Noël est liée au solstice d'hiver, lorsque les journées de l'hémisphère boréal, recommencent à s'allonger ». On se rappellera que 2009 fut proclamée Année de l’Astronomie pour le 4e centenaire des premières observations par le télescope de Galilée. Benoit XVI a cité trois papes qui se sont illustrés dans l'astronomie : « Sylvestre II, qui l'a enseignée, Grégoire XIII, auquel nous devons notre calendrier, et saint Pie X qui savait construire des horloges solaires ». Le pape voit dans les « lois de la nature », scrutées par les chercheurs, « un grand stimulant à contempler avec gratitude les œuvres du Seigneur ».
L’année scolaire est bien lancée au Salésien. Près de 700 étudiants/es sont répartis sur les 5 niveaux; les Jours A (mercredi p.m. sportif, culturel, etc.) aussi ont déjà débuté. Plus d’une centaine de personnes ont pris part au Tournoi de Golf de la Fondation du SS le 20/09 au Golf Orford sous la présidence d’honneur de M. Louis Lévesque, un ancien (’71); des recettes de l’ordre de 7000$ ont été versées à la Fondation.
Le jeune est toujours au centre de la vie et de la pédagogie du Salésien. Diverses activités veulent l’exprimer. L’une d’elles – 2 soirées offertes aux parents des élèves du 1er cycle, très fréquentées au point qu’on n’avait peine à trouver un parking - fut l’atelier, Je m’Organise pour Réussir. - Il faut aussi préparer l’avenir. Sitôt l’année commencée, on envisage déjà la suivante. C’était journée pédagogique le 21. Sur le thème Viens Jouer dans notre Cour, les étudiants avaient invité un/e ami/e de 6e année à venir passer la journée au Salésien; toutes sortes d’activités avaient été prévues pour eux. Plus d’une centaine répondirent et firent connaissance avec le site qui deviendra peut-être leur école secondaire.
Au début du mois, le p. Trottier présidait à Ste-Claire aux funérailles de Mme Carmen Lavallée Larocque, maman de Pierre Larocque, coordinateur émérite des Coopérateurs du Canada. Le p. Dominique Britschu participait aussi comme concélébrant, ainsi que plusieurs sœurs salésiennes venues exprimer leur sympathie envers la famille.
his practical training at the Séminaire Salésien in Sherbrooke, Fr. Gagné took up the first two years of specific formation for Salesian priesthood at the PAS in Rome. The last two years of this formation took place at the Josephinum College in Columbus, Ohio. Fr. Gagné was ordained in the parish of his Baptism, St. Anne in Fall River, Mass. Fr. Bob has served in the Sherbrooke area for nearly all of his priesthood. In that school community, Fr. Gagné ministered in the areas of religious education, youth ministry, pastoral animation, and financial administration. In addition, he oversaw the ministry being offered at Camp Savio on Lake Magog. For the past two years, Fr. Bob has been in residence with the Salesian community in Montreal.
Fr. Drago Gacnik, SDB (25 years a priest), is a Salesian of the Slovenian Province. Fr. Drago was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1984 in that same city. In 2003, Fr. Gacnik was asked to carry on the agreement between the Salesian Slovenian and Canadian provinces whereby Slovenian confreres are temporarily transferred to Canada to serve the Slovenian Catholic com-munity in Hamilton, Ont. Fr. Gacnik has served as pastor of St. Gregory the Great Slovenian Parish in Hamilton for the past six years. During that time, Fr. Gacnik has witnessed to Don Bosco’s family spirit in caring for his Slovenian confrere, Fr. Ivan Dobrsek, SDB, who recently celebrated his 98th birthday in a rest home.
Fr. Jan Stazel, SDB (25 years professed) is a member of the Krakow Salesian province in Poland. Fr. Stazel was professed as a Salesian on August 22, 1984. In 2005, Fr. Jan was temporarily transferred to the Canadian Salesian province to assist with the ministry to Polish immigrants. After a year learning English with the Salesian community in Toronto, Fr. Jan was assigned as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Good Council Parish in Surrey, B.C. Today, Fr. Jan serves the parish community at Our Lady of Good Counsel with special attention to the needs of the Polish community.
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Salesian Youth Ministry Pilgrimage to Italy
August 9-26, 2009 by Fr. Michael Pace
“Witnesses of Christ in the Spirit of Don Bosco” was the theme of Confronto 2009, a gathering of nearly 300 youth leaders from Salesian centers across Europe, the Middle East, and – for the first time – Canada. Held between August 11 and 16, the Confronto was based in Colle Don Bosco, with day trips to Valdocco and Mornese. Song and dance, catechesis, liturgy, high-energy animation, small group and large group work sessions, and surprisingly good meals all came together to produce a rich tapestry of reflection on the oratorian criteria of playground, home, school, and church.
This Confronto was the first to be conducted in Italian and English. It was a privileged opportunity for our Canadian youths to experience what our humble Canadian reality cannot offer: an eye-opener to the larger Salesian world, a lived experience of the dynamic Salesian Youth Movement beyond North America, and the challenge to bring their experience back home to their peers.
The Confronto ended on Don Bosco’s birthday, with Mass celebrated by Fr. Pascual Chavez in the Tempio Don Bosco at Becchi. He challenged the participants to go beyond personal interests and success, to see beyond national interest and culture, if they are to be disciples of Christ, ready to serve and build the Kingdom of God. After Mass, one of the girls in our group commented that the experience had been so rich in culture, Christianity, and Salesian spirituality that she could return home at that point, satisfied. But that was only Day 5 of a 17-day pilgrimage.
Our St. John Bosco Council of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Dominic Savio Squires have begun another event-filled calendar for 2009- 2010.- Jonathan, a young man from British Columbia who is discerning a religious vocation spent a week with our community. - From Sept.22nd to 24th, Fr. Mike accompanied 2 lay collaborators to a Youth Ministry workshop in Newton, N.J. Likewise, Frs. George and Frank together with Bro. Bernie and Antoniette Pace assisted at the meetings and conferences on Family Ministry presented by Fr. Gael Sullivan from Berkeley at Stony Point, N.Y.
Preparations are advancing for our next Salesian Family Day to be held on November 7th with the theme "A Missionary! Who? Me?" Sister Jeannine Landry, FMA, and a lay missionary, Joseph Marquez, will speak about their diverse missionary experiences. - Finally, on Sept. 20th St. Gregory Parish in Hamilton celebrated their patronal feast. Over 300 people crowded the banquet hall. A plentiful and delicious dinner was served along with live entertainment. An octet from Slovenia interpreted many very spirited songs in harmony.
JUBILARIANS
On September 27 in Stony Point, N.Y. the St.Philip Province expressed its gratitude to the Saleians celebrating a significant jubilee. Among them were 5 Canadian confreres. The following biographical sketches are taken from E-Service, Sept. 10 and 17.
Fr. Frank Kelly, SDB (50 years professed)), was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1954, Fr. Frank came to the Salesians as an aspirant in West Haverstraw, N.Y. After his novitiate year in Newton, N.J., he made his first profession in 1959. Fr. Kelly did his post-novitiate formation at Don Bosco College, Newton, Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J., and Hope Haven in Marrero, LA. Fr. Frank made his perpetual profession at Newton in 1965. Fr. Kelly was formed as a Salesian priest at the Josephinum in Columbus. After ordination in 1971, Fr. Kelly was among the first DRAs at Salesian High School, New Rochelle, N.Y., and Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. Fr. Frank was assistant pastor at St. Anthony Parish in Elizabeth. He served on the Marian Shrine retreat team. He was director of Salesian Junior Seminary in Goshen, N.Y., from 1983-1986. In 1986, Fr. Kelly brought his deep spirituality and hearty laugh to the Salesian community in Etobicoke, Ont. While in the Toronto area, Fr. Frank has served as director of the Salesian community and pastor of St. Benedict Parish. From 2000 to 2006, Fr. Kelly was vice provincial for the Canadian vice province. At present, Fr. Kelly lives with the Salesian community in Etobicoke, where he serves as a priest and spiritual guide
Fr. Luc Lantagne, SDB (25 years a priest), completed his novitiate year in Ipswich, making his first profession in 1972. He did his immediate post-novitiate in Sherbrooke, Que. His last year of practical training was at Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa. He then undertook the first three years of specific formation for priesthood in the International Institute of Don Bosco in Turin. His deacon year was spent at the Salesian Center and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. After ordination, Fr. Luc served seven years as director of religious activities at Séminaire Salésien in Sherbrooke. After that, he ministered as director of the Salesian community and as pastor of St.John Bosco in Edmonton, AB, from 1992-2000. He served as provincial of the Canadian province from 2000 to 2006. For the past three years, he has directed the Salesian Mission Office and served as parochial vicar in the parish of Maria Ausiliatrice in Montreal. On September 1 of this year, he became the pastor at Maria Ausiliatrice Parish. Throughout his 25 years of priesthood, Fr. Luc has been effective in calling and forming lay people to ministry within the Salesian Family and the broader Church.
Fr. Bob Gagné, SDB (40 years a priest) came to Don Bosco College in Newton as a Son of Mary in 1958. He professed as a Salesian in 1960. Fr. Bob’s post-novitiate formation took place in Newton. After doing
IN OCTOBER WE REMEMBER…..
Liturgical feasts:
5: Blessed Albert Marvelli
7: Our Lady of the Rosary
11: Blessed John XXIII
13: Blessed Alexandrina da Costa, SC
24: Blessed Louis Guanella
Happy Birthday!
9: Giuseppe Costamagna
24 Drago Gacnik
26: Jan Staszel
Religious Profession
21: Giuseppe Costamagna
Priesthood
9: Mike Pace (10 years)
From “Boscoland,” we continued to Assisi, then to Rome. In the Eternal City, we were welcomed at the Salesian community of San Tarcisio (at the catacombs of St. Callistus). We visited the four major basilicas, prayed at the tomb of St. Paul, celebrated Mass in the catacombs and at St. Peter’s Basilica. A tour of the excavations beneath St. Peter’s revealing the tomb of St. Peter was particularly moving. Rest assured, gelato-breaks were a must before and after each visit!
After Rome, our spiritual focus shifted to St. Benedict. We were hosted by the FMA community in Subiaco, where Sr. Mary Terzo led a 24-hour lectio divina retreat. She was a hit! It was a marvellous way to interiorize so much of what the pilgrimage had stirred within us to that point. Since most of the group came from St. Benedict Parish, this and our visit to Monte Cassino were very significant.
Finally, we made our way to the Amalfi coast for two days of sun and fun, hosted at the Hotel Sereno Soggiorno Salesiano, just minutes away from Sorrento. It was quite something to visit the tomb of St. Andrew in the Amalfi cathedral, then swim in the shadow of the cathedral’s bell tower.
Eleven pilgrims comprised our group: Fr. Mike Pace, SDB, Sr. Cora Beboso, FMA, Bro. Jim Zettel, SDB, seven youth leaders from Toronto, and one from Montreal. This pilgrimage was conceived after our last Canadian provincial chapter, as an ongoing formation possibility for young leaders already committed to Salesian youth ministry. The pilgrimage phase was easy enough to accomplish; it gave ample opportunity to reflect out loud on vocations and Christian service. Now the real test comes: to accompany the young leaders back home as they continue to grow as witnesses to Christ in the spirit of Don Bosco.
(From E-Service, Sept. 10, 2009)
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SURREY, B.C. September ushered in school openings and various retreats for the grade seven students of OLGC School, as well as the 8th grade students of Holy Cross High School. Fr. Dave gave the spiritual direction for all these endeavours. He returned to us on Sept. 2nd from his family visit in Chicago, meeting Mrs. Susan Perna at the Vancouver Airport, as she arrived from Toronto. She joined us with her expertise on the philosophy of the Good Shepherd Catechesis and shared it with a workshop seminar/retreat for our teachers, and later with our CCD educators that same evening. It was very well received.
The Deanery Meeting was held at our Mary Help of Christians facility on the 8th, as Bro. Jerry’s 49th year of profession was celebrated. It also was the official first day of school opening. The various parish organizations got their numerous meetings underway including our Friday night Bible Studies’ 24-week session, and the Knights of Columbus 3rd Sunday of the month “Pancake Breakfast.”
Saturday the 12th - two of our Senior Altar Servers, Miss Courtney Mah, and Mr. Kirby Santos, were honoured at Holy Rosary Cathedral along with servers from 80 parishes in the diocese at the Serra Club’s 4th Annual Awards Ceremony. Bishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, was the main celebrant and speaker at this congratulatory function. The awardees received medallions, certificates, and a beautifully decorated book on The Saints for their service in this Year of the Priest. A reception followed in Holy Rosary Hall for the honourees, their parents, family and friends. Bro. Jerry represented our Salesian Community at this function.
The Polish Saturday School, with Fr. Jan at the helm, began on the 19th with Mass in the church, and an enrolment of about 75 students. Fr. Jan is on “beeper” alert one week a month as we take our turn as chaplains at Surrey Memorial Hospital. This apostolate has recently been divided amongst all the parishes in our area.
Since Sr. Anne Wanner’s birthday fell on Labour Day, Sept. 7th this year, and Mrs. Beth Reyes’ (Youth Coordinator) was in August, we held a triple header, staff birthday party, as well as for Fr. Dave on September 22nd. - Fr. Mario left on the 23rd for the Directors’ meeting and Jubilee celebrations at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point, N.Y.
Fr. John Basso, the moderator for the Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament, attended their meeting. In spite of the rain, there was a good turn out and interest. He generously spends hours in the confessional listening to our parishioners and attends to them by saying Mass at various nursing homes, as well as by hospital visits. - In the meantime, Fr. Rolando Molina, SDB, gave us two interesting conference talks during our community recollection days.
Nouvelles Salésiennes
Salesian News
Octobre 2009 OCTOBER No.122
Bulletin mensuel électronique
CommunicationsC
Communautés SDB
Alberta . Ontario. Québec . Vancouver . Coopérateurs
Communautés FMA
Bathurst . Other Centres . Québec Toronto
Camp Savio
oVues du Camp Savio. Contacts. Contrat . Route à Suivre
Boscobicycle
Définition . Objectifs . Album
