St. John Bosco Today • September–November 2014 by St. John Bosco Today

EDITOR’S

note

TABLE OF CONTENTS ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY |THE SALESIAN FAMILY MAGAZINE | PHILIPPINES September-November 2014 | Volume 44 • Number 2

COVER STORY TECHNOLOGY WITH THE SOUL

Witnessing to the Faith The Bosconian Way

Witnesses to the

FAITH

Fr. Randy Figuracion, SDB

SpecialFEATURE

FEATURES STANDING BY HER SON, JESUS

In the Footsteps of Mama Mary 8 By Chit Delos Reyes

A PILGRIM’S JOURNEY SALESIANITY 101 | MOTHERS KNOW BEST

Venerable Margaret Bosco: St. John Bosco’s Mother, Teacher, Guide By Caesar Dizon, SDB

“ Andiamo A Torino” Tracing the Footsteps of Don Bosco 7 By Gilbert Arrieta

SALESIAN EDUCATORS, IN AND OUT OF CAMPUS

Forming Teachers to be Salesian Educators 12

DBTVET-TONDO

Opening Doors of Oppotunities

By Rona Palma

By Sr. Maria Soccoro T. Bacani, FMA BEING THE SALT OF THE EARTH

Quiet yet Profound Witnessing to the Faith 14 By Wilma Militante

Witnesses to the Faith By Fr. Bernard P. Nolasco, SDB

THE EAO-ASC CONGRESS

Making a Difference in the World 18 By Adele A. Jaucian

First of Two Parts

MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

With Lay People in the Urgency of a Shared Mission

A PREVIEW | STRENNA 2015

Like Don Bosco, With the Young, For the Young

REGULARS

EDITOR’S NOTE

Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, SDB FIN-FIS NEWS

3 23

Magazine of Information and Religious Culture of the Salesian Family in the Philippines

Owner Salesian Society of St. John Bosco Printer Don Bosco Press, Inc. EDITORIAL BOARD Publisher Don Bosco Press, Inc. | Editor Fr. Bernard P. Nolasco, SDB | Copy Editor Br. Donnie Duchin-Duya, SDB | Coordinators Fr. Randy Figuracion,SDB FIS; Sr. Maria Socorro Bacani, FMA FMA & FMA Past Pupils; Sr. Sophia Akiko Oshita, SCG SCG; Brenda Ramirez ASC; Dr. Victor B. Endriga DBAPNF; Maria Junifer Maliglig ADMA; Evangeline Dolliente FADS | Art Director Early Macabales|Circulation Commission on Social Communication For subscription contact ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY Commission on Social Communication 3/F Don Bosco Provincial Ofﬁce, Don Bosco Compound, C. Roces Ave. cor. A. Arnaiz Ave. 1264 Makati City, Philippines Telefax (02) 892-8174

Annual subscription (4 issues) P200.00

he Year of the Laity is almost over. During this year, the Church tries to enkindle in the hearts of her lay faithful the light of genuine witnessing to the Faith in this world that is being covered by the power of darkness. She calls for a Faith that is integrated in one’s daily Christian life. She tells the laity to allow themselves to be empowered by the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the Gospel in deeds. She believes in the power of her lay members to be the Salt of the Earth, the Light of the World. The lay members of the Salesian Family know very well all these. By being Cooperators,Volunteers, Damas & Caballeros, Past-pupils, and Archon members, they are fully aware of their sacred responsibilities and duties in living faithfully the Salesian charism, thus, making their baptism fully alive and enriched. The SDBs, the FMAs, and the SCG are also aware of their moral responsibility in guiding and forming the lay members of the family as well as the lay people who are working with them to be witnesses to the Faith. They are likewise aware of their duties in forming the young people whom Divine Providence has entrusted to their care to be the leavens of the Church and the society. This September-November issue of SJBT wishes to help us to be more aware of the challenges of this Year of the Laity as we try to live faithfully our respective missions in the spirit of St. John Bosco. This issue hopes to allow the readers to be aware of the different ways the members of the Salesian Family live their Faith. Let us be inspired by the message of our Rector Major who, like St. John Bosco, believes in the power of the laity in the work of evangelization. Let us be inspired by Mama Margaret, the ﬁrst lay person in Don Bosco’s life that made him the person we so much love and wish to follow. The Year of the Laity is indeed almost over but its spirit continues to be alive in the heart of every member of the Salesian Family.

Fr. Bernard P. Nolasco, SDB

with lay people in the urgency of a shared Mission

MESSAGE Of tHE

rECtOr MAJOr

An excerpt from the closing message of the Rector Major to the Chapter members

n our Chapter reflection we have noted the more pivotal role being played by lay people, encouraged by shared responsibility and the shared mission in the educative and pastoral community. Already in GC24, eighteen years ago, the Rector Major and his Council were asked to make initiatives and experiences of collaboration between the Salesians and the lay people working with them. (no. 127) And it was recognized in the same Chapter reflection that “The process of involvement leads to communion in spirit, to shared responsibility, and then to sharing of the Salesian mission. Communion and sharing, involvement and shared responsibility, these are the two faces of the same medal.” (no. 22)

The Salesian mission cannot be thought of without the laity, for what they bring to it is also vital for our charism. We have, so far, made progress in our view of the shared mission. Fr Pascual Chávez said this several times as a result of his reflection on the matter: that with the outlook and theological vision of ecclesiology today, the Salesian mission cannot be thought of without the laity, for what they bring to it is also vital for our charism. Let me add this, dear confreres: The shared mission between the Salesians and the lay people has ceased to be optional should there be someone who still believes this, and this is because the Salesian mission in the world today so clearly demands it. It is certain that in the Congregation we have different ‘speeds’ in our Provinces and in relations between them. However, the shared mission between SDBs and the lay mission-partners, the reflection on this mission, and the process of conversion by our confreres in this regard are things we cannot get back. This is why I dare to ask each Province, that in the first three years after GC27, to make more concrete the existing programme for the shared mission between the Salesians and the lay mission-partners; or that the situation in the Province be studied and the concrete project and planning be developed over the years leading up to the next General Chapter.

fr. angel fernandez artime, sDb Rector major SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

C O V E r S t O r Y | Technology with the Soul

witnessing to the

faItH the

Bosc NIaN way BY FR. RANDY FIGURACION, SDB

(Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters) and Cebu GTH (Gifts, Toys and Housewares). He continually participates in International Furniture and Interior Design Exhibits. “Our vision for the company is to be more globally recognized. That is why we want to join many local and international fairs,” Ramir said. Since it started producing small buttons and beads from shells to supply firms making clothes in 1993, the company has evolved innumerable times. But it all started with the dream of a poor boy wanting to change his future. As a working student under the mentorship of Bro. Silvano Rettore, SDB his skills in bench work and machine operations were honed in Don Bosco Technical High School. With a passion for the arts, Ramir got a push of encouragement from his then Rector, Fr. Edgardo Espiritu, SDB and soon found a venue for his creativity in the drafting room. His innovative skills were put to work in machine designing for

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014

the shop that earned him his first project of fabricating and making a rattan machine that works! That first invention empowered him to dream bigger. Graduating finally as a Mechanical Engineer, he put up Machine Systems Corporation with an industry partner to do metal works. It rose to become a major player in the industry back then. Realizing that metalworking is the backbone of industrialization, he tried to upgrade by lobbying for the production of special steel in the country to build machines but it was a difficult goal to achieve. Eventually he shifted to buttonmaking using locally available raw materials because it was nearest to metalworking. With only eight people when he started in 1993 (among them his machinists), he rented a small space near N. Bacalso Avenue,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAMIR BONGHANOY

on-Ace Fashion Tools Inc. has become a brand name synonymous for innovative excellence and high-end quality not only here in the country but also abroad. In an interview on the “Kris TV” segment last October 2013, Ramir Bonghanoy, its founder and president revealed to host Kris Aquino that he has been tapped by several international luxury brands to come up with designs and new materials such as purses and clutch bags which could be worth between $2,000 - $4,000 when sold in their boutiques. Even broadcast journalist Karen Davila invited him as a guest in ABSCBN’s “My Puhunan,” a show that promotes entrepreneurship, when he flew in from Cebu for the Manila FAME trade show and home-fashion lifestyle event last year. He plays an active role in the industry as the former president of both Cebu FAME

Ramir does not preach his faith. He lives it quietly by working and making it speak for itself with the end of doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Cebu City which he maximized into an office and a production area. In 1995, he and his team were able to participate in their first exposition through a special setup in a CITEM show in Manila through the help of the Department of Trade and Industry and Cebu FAME Foundation. From there he met his international buyers and started to introduce more products and designing really huge pieces of furniture and home and fashion accessories. Ramir Bonghanoy and his family. As a bosconian past pupil, his devotion to the Holy Eucharist and to the Blessed Mother make him keep his family happily united.

Ramir invented “Radica,” a style of inlaying design using metals and shells in furniture accents. Through his products, he is proud to say that BonAce continuously etches its name to famous international brands and top fashion houses. For his home accents, a number of the company’s regular buyers come from Italy, Germany, US, France, Netherlands, Japan, and Hong Kong, thus, enabling Bon-Ace to export more products and help in improving the country’s economy. Today, Bon-Ace (the short term for Bonghanoy Arts Cum Engineering) has become one of Cebu’s leading fashion accessories and houseware manufacturer whose exacting standard

SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

C O V E r S t O r Y | Technology with the Soul

Leading his bigger family the bosconian way: doing ordinary duties extraordinarily well.

While promoting the welfare of manufacturers and exporters, he share his blessings by giving financial help for poor but deserving youth from selected Don Bosco presences. honesty, hardwork, environmentally sound and socially responsible technologies. He shares his expertise by training craftsmen in terms of designing, production, and usage of custombuilt machineries in his company or elsewhere. While promoting the welfare of manufacturers and exporters, he share his blessings by giving financial help for poor but deserving youth from selected Don Bosco presences. The 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines # 434 suggests: “the laity’s

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field of evangelizing activity is the vast and complex world of education, politics, society and economics, as well as the world of culture, of the sciences and arts, of international life, of the mass media. In this vast arena of pastoral engagement the Church needs the special gifts, individual and collective, of farmers, fishermen, workers, mass media practitioners, educators and lawyers, civil servants, of those in the medical and nursing services and professionals in the various strata of society – of all lay faithful, rich and poor – to fulfill the mission of communicating Christ. Pope Francis believes that the contribution of the lay faithful is in the world. Thus he gives a powerful push to our lay people when he said: “we focus on the sanctuary rather than bringing the Gospel to the world. The call of the laity is to live and spread the faith in their families, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods and beyond; to be a leaven of the love of God in society itself. The layperson is to create and sow hope, to proclaim the faith, not from a pulpit but from everyday life.” Ramir does not preach his faith. He lives it quietly by working and making it speak for itself with the end of doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way. It’s the bosconian way of transforming the world!

PHOTOS COURTESY COURTESY OF OF RAMIR RAMIR BONGHANOY BONGHANOY PHOTOS

and reliability is its foremost corporate philosophy. The integrity reveals itself in details, in subtle touches, in the quality of craft and materials, and in design planning from concepts to prototypes. It has received a number of recognitions such as the Katha Award for Best Product Design in Manila FAME International (April 2005). The Department of Science and Technology (DOST 7) has awarded him for his successful application of science and technology in upgrading his products to be globally competitive (July 2012). Also the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry named him the “Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year” (July 2012). From his alma mater, he was given the “Bosconian of the Year Award” in 2012. Indeed, Ramir has come a long way from a mere mechanic to become the international designer and businessman that he is! Yet he continues to be a simple, unassuming family man when he goes to Church at the Don Bosco Formation Center in Lawaan, Talisay accompanied by his grown-up children and his wife, Gina. He has bought his own property in Tungkil, Minglanilla – Cebu where he now operates his plant and showrooms measuring about 6,500 square meters. At present, he is giving jobs to about 300 people working for him. He has taken to heart the advocacy of the Bosconian International Chamber of Commerce: “Doing business with a heart” by witnessing

A Pilgrimʼs Journey | Sf EP AE tCuI Ar LE

“ANDIAMO A TORINO!” Tracing the footsteps of Don Bosco

T PHOTO COURTESY COURTESY OF OF GILBERT GILBERT ARRIETA ARRIETA PHOTO

hirty-eight pilgrims from Don Bosco Technical InsituteMakati went to Italy and France for a spiritual journey of gratitude for the gift of St. John Bosco to the young. Dubbed as “Andiamo a Torino! ” Pilgrimage 2014, the pilgrims visited several significant places in the history of the Catholic Church and of St. John Bosco. The pilgrimage started in Rome. The main highlights of the Rome pilgrimage were the Holy Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the General Audience with Pope Francis at the St. Peter’s Square. Before leaving Rome, the pilgrims attended the Holy Mass in Sacro Cuore di Gesú, the last church built by St. John Bosco. After making a sidetrip to Lanciano and Assisi, the pilgrims finally headed to the birthplace of the Salesian Congregation on the eve of the feast of Mary Help of Christians. Tracing the footsteps of St. John Bosco, they first went to Valdocco. They went to the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the Pinardi Chapel, St. Francis of Sales Chapel and the rooms of St. John Bosco. They also went to the Santuario della Consolata and to the St. Francis of Assisi Church where Don Bosco

BY GILBERT ARRIETA said his first Holy Mass, and to the other places where Don Bosco did his pastoral work. A solemn Eucharistic celebration presided by the Rector Major, Fr. Angel Fernandez, SDB and the grand Marian procession capped the festivities in honor of Mary Help of Christians. Celebrating the feast of Mary Help of Christians right at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin was truly an extraordinary experience for all the pilgrims. The pilgrims, still tracing Don Bosco’s footsteps, went to Becchi, the birthplace of St. John Bosco. Fr. Paul Bicomong celebrated the Holy Mass at the Sanctuario Di Maria Ausiliatrice. Afterwards, he toured the pilgrims to the different places in Colle Don Bosco which included the museum of St. John Bosco. They then proceeded to the house of St. Dominic Savio in Mondonio. Later, they traveled around Chierri where St. John Bosco studied for the priesthood. Upon coming back to Turin, some pilgrims joined the Santacruzan of the Filipino community which is under the chaplaincy of the Salesians. They were welcomed by Fr. Andy Wong and Fr. John Benna, the chaplain of the Filipino community in Turin. A sidetrip to Venice and Padova capped their pilgrimage in Italy before proceeding to France.

In Lourdes, the pilgrims attended the Holy Mass at the Grotto together with the other groups of pilgrims. Immediately after the Mass, the pilgrims spent the whole day of personal recollection. By 9:00pm, they joined the rest of the pilgrims in praying the Holy Rosary walking in procession inside the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Before leaving for Paris the following day, they had the Holy Mass at the Chapel of St. Joan of Arc. In Paris, they visited the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur and the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. The final day of the pilgrimage included the visit to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and the Holy Mass in the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. The Holy Mass was presided by Fr. Paul. This pilgrimage is a faith-enriching and spiritually-nurturing experience. The pilgrims never thought of getting to these places where their Christian faith was strongly defended and where their father and teacher, St. John Bosco lived. They felt the great challenged to be more firm in their love for the Church and in their being genuine Salesian educators. This pilgrimage is indeed DBTI-Makati’s act of gratitude to God for the gift of faith and to St. John Bosco for his genuine example of loving God as His apostle to the young.

SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

f E A t u r E | Standing by her Son, Jesus

In the

BY CHIT DELOS REYES

ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

ST. JUDE CHAPTER, PASIG CITY COUNCILOR FOR FORMATION (ADMA JUNIORS)

footsteps of

MaMa Mary 8

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014

As ADMA members, we are always ready to support the needs of our parish communities.

M PHOTO COURTESY OF FR BERNARD NOLASCO, SDB

y personal devotion to Mary Help of Christians, started when I got married in 1978. At first it was just another devotion for me, remembering to always include the devotional invocation, “Mary Help of Christians, pray for us” at the end of my prayers. One day, I just realized that I regularly invoke her in every aspect of my life. I started to be consciously aware of how she manifested her love and care for me. When the Archconfraternity of Mary Help of Christians was formally established here in the Philippines, my family were among the first to be inducted as members. Though, I have already been inducted, I have not been an active member of the Archconfraternity as I was engrossed in the needs of my growing family. My parents together with my siblings were the ones very active then. My parents started the devotion to MHC in Malibay, Pasay City under the San Juan Nepomuceno Parish and in Bgy. Calarian, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. When my parents passed away in 1995 and1996, there were already 4 chapters in Malibay, Pasay City and three chapters in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. They were also able to share this devotion to other places such as in Taguig, Bulacan, Masbate and in some other places. After my parents passed away, all the chapters they have nurtured strongly felt that they have lost

their parents too. The chapters in Pasay were more self-sufficient. With their set of officers, they were able to continue the devotion and their activities on their own. For the chapters in Pangasinan, it was much harder. Though their devotion was strong, they did not have enough means to support their activities. Thus, my siblings and I agreed that we will continue to guide, advise and support these chapters. We actively led these chapters to continue and deepen their devotion to our Blessed Mother just like what our parents did. With God’s graces and Mama Mary’s intercession, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan has now five chapters. And through the initiative of ADMA’s National Council, Archbishop Socrates B.Villegas, D.D., Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, allowed us to spread and promote the devotion to all the parishes within the Archdiocese. Being a resident in Pasig since 1988, I was also able to bring the devotion to our community. It was only a private initiative then and together with some neighbors, we started to have the Block Rosary in honor of MHC. In 1999, the chapel in our neighborhood became a parish. Our first parish priest then, Rev. Fr. Julius Cesar Manalo, was so touched when he saw us during our May 24 procession. Mama Mary was only in a trike and we only had improvised lights and sound system but we were quite a number then and Mama Mary’s face shined so beautifully.

Right after the procession, Fr. Chiqui, as we fondly call him, approached me and asked if I wanted to put the statue of MHC in the parish church. I immediately said “YES!” and told him that he cannot take back his offer. It was like I have won the biggest lotto jackpot that night. Imagine, propagating the devotion to her as the Help of Christians would be much easier as parishioners will already see her in our parish altar. At present, we have St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Pasig Chapter with more than 40 seniors and more than 60 junior members. Almost all the members are active church servers under the Worship Ministry, Music Ministry, and Evangelization Ministry. Some members are also active in our barangay office and in our local government. How the ADMA members are active in Pasig is likewise true for the ADMA Chapters in Pangasinan, Pasay and in the other ADMA Chapters. ADMA members stand-out as active servers in their parishes. As ADMA members, we are always ready to support the needs of our parish communities. We are living witnesses to the Faith as we try to follow the example of our Blessed Mother in always being ready to help in the ministry of her Son Jesus just like during the wedding at Cana. As we strive to follow her Son by actively serving our local parish communities, we likewise ask the people we serve to “do whatever He tells you.”

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

S A L E S I A N 101 | Mothers Know Best

Venerable

Margaret Bosco: st. st. John John Bosco’s Bosco’s Mother, teacher, guide Mother, teacher, guide CAESAR BY FR.

DIZON, SDB

Like a good son, Don Bosco treasured his mother’s advice and tried to carry them out. And he would like to think that as a result there was some improvement in his life.

ehind every great man is a great woman. Applying it to holy men like Don Bosco we may rephrase it thus: behind every saintly man is a saintly mother. The impact Mama Margaret had on Don Bosco can readily be measured by how he writes about her in the Memoirs of the Oratory (a sort of autobiography). When the crops failed because of drought, Mama Margaret, newly widowed and with four mouths to feed, did not allow herself to be discouraged. Remembering her dying husband’s word to have confidence in God, she invited the whole family to kneel and pray. After a brief prayer she got up and said, “Drastic circumstances demand drastic means.” Then she went to the stable and with the help of a neighbor, killed a calf. Part of that calf was immediately cooked and the worst of the family’s hunger was satisfied. Killing the calf was not just a desperate act but an act of abandonment into the hands of God, too, for that calf was like insurance for

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014

the future. If Don Bosco as a priest was able to make his own St. Teresa’s advice “Let nothing perturb you”, it was probably because of Mama Margaret’s example of faith in God’s providence. Mama Margaret was Don Bosco’s first educator to the faith as every parent should be. It was she who prepared John for his first confession and first communion. About his first confession, Don Bosco remembered his mother telling him: “My dear John, God is going to give you a wonderful gift. Make sure you prepare well for it. Go to confession and don’t keep anything back.Tell all your sins to the priest, be sorry for them all, and promise God to do better in the future.” As for his first communion, Don Bosco remembered his mother repeating to him many times this advice: “My dear son, this is a great day for you. I am convinced that God has really taken possession of your heart. Now promise him to be good as long as you live. Go to communion frequently in the future, but beware of sacrilege. Always be frank in confession; be obedient always; go willingly to catechism and sermons. But for the love of God, avoid like the plague those who

In spite of the level of education he had attained, Don Bosco had the greatest respect for Mama Margaret’s peasant wisdom and intelligence. indulge in bad talk.” Like a good son, Don Bosco treasured his mother’s advice and tried to carry them out. And he would like to think that as a result there was some improvement in his life. Many years later Don Bosco was ordained priest. Some days after ordination, Don Bosco went home and celebrated Mass with his townsfolk. That evening when he was alone with his mother, she gave him this special advice: “You are now a priest, and you celebrate Mass.You are, therefore, closer to Jesus Christ. But remember that to begin to say Mass is to begin to suffer.You will not become aware of this immediately, but little by little you will realize that your mother was right. I am sure that you will pray for me every day, whether I be still living or dead, and that is enough for me. From now on you must think only of saving souls; never worry about me.” Don Bosco would speak frequently and emotionally of that evening with his mother. And we have to thank Fr. Lemoyne for having recorded it for posterity. In July 1846 Don Bosco returned home exhausted due to overwork. He fell ill and took to bed. He had bronchitis, combined with coughing and violent inflammation. Things turned for the worse. A week later, he was at death’s door. But he recovered and attributed his miraculous recovery to the fervent prayers of his boys. He went home to Becchi for some months of convalescence. Having regained his strength, he made plans to return to Turin. As his departure drew near, he spoke to his mother, “Mother, I should take up residence in Valdocco, but considering the people who live in that house, I can’t take anyone with me but you.” She knew what he was hinting at and replied straightaway, “If you think such a move is God’s will, I’m ready to go right now.” She stayed by Don Bosco’s side, sharing with him the vicissitudes of the beginning of the Oratory until

her death on November 25, 1856. She was 68. For ten years she had been the mama of both boys and Salesians of the Oratory at Valdocco. Her last words to his son were: “There will be others who will take my place here; but our Blessed Lady will always be the one in charge. Do not seek splendor or display, but only the glory of God.”

for parents Margie Collins places some responsibility for the sad state of the youth on the shoulder of parents. “As parents, we have made it far too easy for our children to have and enjoy the spurious enticements of this world. We probably made very poor role models.” In contrast Mama Margaret modeled for Don Bosco what it means to have faith in God’s providence as when she had to resort to drastic measures during the time of drought. “We’ve lowered our expectations. Put off or relinquished to others serious discussions with our offspring about having strong emotional scaffolding and robust moral compass, values and virtues, standards of conduct and responsibility, the importance of an interior life not gazed upon by Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.” In contrast Mama Margaret took advantage of “teachable moments” to share with Don Bosco (even when he was already a priest!) nuggets of wisdom that she had gathered from the school of hard knocks. Don Bosco himself and Fr. Lemoyne preserved for us the words of Mama Margaret at important moments in his life such as during his first confession, first communion and after ordination. “I have friends who describe their children as chums or mates. They’re not. They are your children and you are their parents. And while today’s relationships between parents and their grownup children are warmer, closer and more open, boundaries still need

to be maintained.” Mama Margaret and Don Bosco were not chums or mates. They were mother and son. And Don Bosco loved her dearly. And in spite of the level of education he had attained, Don Bosco had the greatest respect for her peasant wisdom and intelligence. In his early years of priesthood, he would read to her his sermons for her critique. This was so because Mama Margaret was able to maintain her moral authority over her son.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

f E A t u r E | Salesian Educators, In and Out of Campus

forming

teachers to be

BY SR.

MARIA SOCORRO T. BACANI, FMA

SALESIAN EDU

Reason which today is the socio-cultural aspect of education which is formation to a culture of life, counters a prevalent culture of death. It fuels critical thought and an unswerving search for truth through dialogue. This has to permeate all levels of socio-political engagement. Religion corresponds to evangelization through education, education through evangelization. This is formation to a culture of faith in Jesus Christ explicitly proclaimed as the Way, the Truth and the Life – the Source, Meaning and Goal of every human being and becoming.

loving-Kindness related to the relational dimension of education is formation to a culture of communication which is open, reciprocal, interpersonal and intergenerational. This is formation to a culture of encounter and humanizing relationships. How are teachers formed in a school of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA)? Sr. Marita Cedeño, FMA Principal shares in general lines how they form teachers to be Salesian educators. “Mary Help of Christians School, Minglanilla, Cebu, has been guided by the Faculty Formation framework for the last eight years (2007-2015). Basically, the areas of formation are the four perspectives of the Preventive System today (cultural, evangelization, social and communication) as outlined in the Guidelines for the Educational Mission or the G.E.M. of the FMA. The moments of formation are the following: Weekly faculty meeting, Quarterly recollection, Annual Retreat, Weekend catechesis (for new teachers), One month in-service training in May.

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014

We have defined the proﬁle of an ideal Salesian Educator as an individual, as a professional, as a Catholic, and as a Salesian. We are trying to incorporate other aspects according to the four areas of formation in the G.E.M. This is also the basis of the regular evaluation of the faculty. During the last three years, we have realized the importance of differentiating the formation given to the teachers since some have been receiving the same things time and time again. We have 2-3 groups for formation in Salesianity, catechesis, and even for the annual spiritual retreat. One very essential means of formation that is helpful especially to those who are new in our community is the Salesian environment created by those who practice the values we propose to them. The witness of the Sisters and the long-time members of the Educating Community are indispensable means in the assumption of the human, Christian and Salesian values.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SR. MARIA SOCCORO CRUZ, FMA

hat does it take to become a Salesian Educator today? The Salesian Preventive System of Education with its pillars of Reason, Religion and Loving-Kindness is still valid today as it was during the time of Don Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello. However, it has to be translated for our times.

Three teachers share about the impact of the salesian formation they receive. mRs. Wilma VilaRosa, with 23 years of service: “The Salesian formation reminds me of my responsibilities as a mother, wife, a teacher and as a person. It helps me a lot in my spiritual growth. I practice values for my children and students to follow, not only in words but in deeds, which will make me credible.”

UCATORS “The Salesian formation reminds me of my responsibilities as a mother, wife, a teacher and as a person. It helps me a lot in my spiritual growth. I practice values for my children and students to follow, not only in words but in deeds, which will make me credible.”

ms. CoNNiE mabEDa, with 7 years of service: “The formation allows me to keep the positive spirit alive that helps me believe in the goodness of each student. It encourages me to always keep a good relationship with others and if possible, inspire them to always do good and be positive no matter what the tasks are. It gives me hope, strength and courage to face each problem with a smile. The practice of Lectio Divina and spending moments of silence allow me to keep in touch with God. I become a catalyst of HOPE and PEACE especially in our family. Although there are times that I get tired of always being strong and to the point of wanting others to be strong for me, I try to conquer myself with my daily prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving.” ms. REa siENEs, with 7 years of service: “I was formerly teaching in a public school. But I felt glad that little by little I did learn to nurture my spiritual life through the formation I receive in a Salesian school. What I learn, I also share at home. I make sure that every decision I make is for the good of everyone in the family. I always instill in the family the values of respect and understanding in order to build better relationships.”

From these three testimonies, we can say that when the Salesian formation becomes integrated in the life of the educator, in and out of the campus, the formation is indeed valid and relevant; and the educator exhibits a certain degree of maturity in his/her ability for integration. These three testimonies tell us how an educator becomes a Salesian educator, that is, someone who is a living witness to one’s faith and someone who shares one’s gift of faith to people around him/her just like St. John Bosco, the educator par excellence. SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

f E A t u r E |Being the Salt of the Earth

Quiet yet profound

wItness nG to the

BY WILMA MILITANTE VOLUNTEER OF DON BOSCO

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014

They are trusted in their workplaces and they bring the Gospel values where they are planted, living in the spirit of the beatitudes by the witness of quiet lives.

he Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB) is a Salesian Secular Institute for Women of Pontifical Right founded by Blessed Philip Rinaldi in 1917. They live a reserved and quiet life that is profoundly human and profoundly imbued in faith, hope and love. This is in keeping with the advice of their founder Blessed Philip Rinaldi who told the first sisters of the Institute not to broadcast who they are but to live like light, quiet yet illumines; leaven, quiet but it raises the dough of life up; and salt that quietly dissolves to give taste to food and quietly preserves what is to be preserved. These are the images of the consecrated secular Salesian life. Theirs therefore is a silent witness of the Christ life and his gentle presence in the midst of their life’s every day world. The VDB do not have common apostolic activities. They do not own or run schools, oratories, orphanages, etc. Rather, each of them is attentive to God’s will and the challenges presented in the environment where they live. Obedient to the instruction of their founder, Blessed Philip Rinaldi who told them, “Each of you must work in a particular apostolic project and you must be responsible for its functioning.” Each Volunteer has her

own personal mission in line with their Salesian charism and they are involved in advocacies that promote human development especially in education and evangelization particularly of the young. As Salesian consecrated secular women, they live their consecration in secularity with deep faith both as a path to Christian perfection and as a way to fulfill their apostolate. Thus their life itself is a mission of love and their living chaste, poor and obedient becomes the more effective way of being salt, light and leaven in the midst of the world. Women of faith, they participate in the evangelizing task of the Church by the witness of their life and fidelity to their consecration through the exercise of the common priesthood of the faithful and the Christian animation of earthly realities, through their service to the ecclesial community in their respective parishes and the spreading of the Salesian charism in the environment in which they live. They are trusted in their workplaces and they bring the Gospel values where they are planted, living in the spirit of the beatitudes by the witness of quiet lives. Most of the VDB in the Philippines are in the teaching profession. Others are psychologists, guidance counselors, accountants and auditors in banks, cashiers, bank officers, directors and administrators, nurse, corporate secretaries, and catechists. A number of Filipina VDB are retired but are active

in the apostolate in the local Church and in the Salesian Family. Others are active in advocacies (out of school youth, adult education, environment, local politics, health and wellness, etc.). Prayer is the key that opens the day of the VDB. They are women contemplatives in action who are aware that they are 24/7 prayer-ers doing their daily duties in deep union with God in Salesian contemplation of action. This is the wellspring of their deep life of faith. They just do their work as good committed lay Christian women. This is how people perceive them. Often they are called “Sister”, “Mother Superior” in their workplaces. It is because people come to them for work-related and even spiritual advice, counseling and guidance. Often they are asked, “Are you a nun? “ Their response, “No, we are not. Why do you ask?” They say, “It’s because God and His values are always present in your conversations.” Others say, “It is because of your compassionate and positive attitude in almost everything. “Still others say, “It is because there is something different in you that we could not pinpoint.” Those statements are for the VDB a confirmation that they are living their consecrated secular Salesian life as it should be lived – being women for others, women of faith and prayer, vessels of Christ’s grace to society and the society to Christ. In a way, they become question marks to people they encounter as Blessed Philip Rinaldi envisioned them to be.

SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

S P E C I A L | DBTVET-Tondo fEAturE

pening Doors of pportunItIes BY RONA PALMA

t Don Bosco Tondo, for almost fifty years now, there are thousands of young men and women that have received a range of Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programs of their choice. Many have become successful in their respective fields as regular employees or promoted to a management level in the various industries locally while others have sought their destiny abroad to amplify their income for their families’ welfare. As of the moment, there are more than 800 young men and women from poor to poorest families within the area of Manila and nearby provinces (migrant young men and women) who applied and are enrolled in the Don Bosco TVET Center-Tondo. Our vision is to continue to help the deserving out-of-school youth to attain skills and permit them to become employable while uplifting their families’ living condition. Yet again, the Don Bosco TVET Center-Tondo, like the other DB TVET Centers, commits to train the out-of-school youth and assist them to secure good jobs alongside with a very satisfactory income. Indeed, all DB TVET Centers have produced thousands of graduates through the valuable support of many generous people in its works of evangelization and education through the Salesian Missions office. Allow me to invite you, readers, to have a closer look at DB TVET Center - Tondo and see how all of us can be involved in the work of St. John Bosco in lifting up the poor and marginalized youth from their state of poverty to a life full of hope for a brighter and meaningful future. DB TVET Center - Tondo is located in a densely populated area in Barrio Magsaysay, Tondo, Manila. Geographically, Tondo is located in the northwest portion of the City of Manila and is primarily residentialindustrial in nature. It is known for being one of the poorest and most underdeveloped districts in Manila. It is located north of Intramuros near the North Harbor area, and is considered as one of the largest slum areas of Manila. DB TVET Center - Tondo has been serving the needs of the young people for almost forty five years now. It provides TVET Programs to the less fortunate young boys and girls in the area that make a way into a worthwhile and advantageous occupation for the beneficiaries. The target groups of the Don Bosco Youth Center – Tondo are the youth sector, ages 17-30 years old, who are abandoned, out-of-school

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014

SPECIAL fEAturE

PHOTOS PHOTOS COURTESY COURTESY OF OF SALESIAN SALESIAN MISSIONS MISSIONS OFFICE OFFICE

or financially incapable to pursue education after high school. At least a total of 20,552, have already graduated from the TVET Center since it opened. They came from the different districts of Manila and from far flung areas as migrants in the capital city. This school year, due to its limited budget, the TVET Center can only accomodate a total of 808 out-of-school youth. The operational cost is increasing every year and the center can only accept a reasonable number of trainees within its financial means. At present, there are young migrant men and women who are housed within the TVET Center to protect them from the harsh environment against migrants/strangers. They are open to all forms of exploitations since they do not have permanent homes to reside in the city nor relatives to rely on. The DB TVET Center -Tondo offers the following courses: the Automobile Servicing NCII (AutoServicing), Electrical Installation and Maintenance NCII (Electrical), Shielded Metal Arc Welding NCII (SMAW), Machining NCII (Machining), Computer Hardware Servicing NCII (Computer Hardware), Bookkeeping NCII (bookkeeping), Housekeeping NCII, Food and Beverages NCII (Hospitality Services). In addition, the TVET Center is attached to a Don Bosco Parish and Youth Center. The parish community and the TVET Center go hand in hand

in providing outreach programs that are integrated in the various activities either in the form of youth campus ministry program, a livelihood program, community building, religious, sports and youthful activities. In the end, every trainee who studies in the TVET Center is enriched with a very holistic formation that makes him/her more proactive members of the Church and the society. There is so much to be done in this field of education for the less fortunate

youth of our society. All the TVET Centers rely solely on the generosity of people and institutions who care to help and assist particularly in the centersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; financial obligations. If you feel you can help or ask another person or institution you know can help, please give the Salesian Missions Office a call at (02) 8133820, telefax 8133811 or e-mail at smissions_fin@yahoo.com. God loves a cheerful giver.

TVET CENTER

ToTal NumbER of TRaiNEEs

Don Bosco Tvet Center Carolina, Naga City

210

Don Bosco Tvet Center, Legazpi City

406

Don Bosco Tvet Center, Makati City

1,356

Don Bosco Tvet Center, Mandaluyong City

291

Don Bosco Tvet Center, Tondo, Manila

808

Don Bosco Tvet Center, Canlubang, Laguna

275

Donboscotvetcenter, San Josecity, Nueva Ecija

190

Don Bosco Tvet Center, Mabalacat, Pampanga

113

Don Bosco School Of Printing, Makati City

Don Bosco Tvet Center, Calauan, Laguna

ToTal

3,692

Shown on the table are the present numbers of trainees of the ten FIN Don Bosco TVET Centers for School Year 2014-2015

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

f E A t u r E | THE EAO-ASC Congress

Making a

difference in the BY ADELE A. JAUCIAN SALESIAN COOPERATOR

worlD This is to challenge the Salesian Cooperator today to be more engaged, creative and pro-active in looking for opportunities to reach out to the young particularly in politics and social action which have the most impact on the young, the poor, and the needy.

he Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) Philippine North Province hosted the 8th ASC-EAO Congress held last April 2326, 2014 at Acacia Hotel, Manila Manila in Alabang. About 130 Cooperators and Delegates came from all over East Asia namely: China (which includes Taipei & Macau), Japan, Korea, Thailand, East Timor, Vietnam (w/ Mongolia), Australia, Philippine-South and Philippine-North. Following the exhortation of the Rector Major during the last World Congress of the Cooperators in Rome in 2012 “not to be just an altar boy” a euphemism that we can do more and go out to the world and help transform society, the theme chosen was: “The Salesian Cooperator, Making a Difference in the World.” This is to challenge the Salesian Cooperator to-

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY JuNE-AuGuSt SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014 2014

PHOTOS PHOTOSCOURTESY COURTESYOF OFADELE ADELEA. A.JAUCIAN JAUCIAN

day to be more engaged, creative and pro-active in looking for opportunities to reach out to the young particularly in politics and social action which have the most impact on the young, the poor, and the needy. This follows what our founder St. John Bosco wanted the Cooperators to do: “to shake the apathy and languor and spread the energy of love.” This also resonates well with the call of our Holy Father in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelli Gaudium to show love and mercy in our relationships the way Jesus our Lord has taught us. Speakers during the Congress were particularly selected to bring out the best of ourselves. Keynote speaker, Ms. Noemi Bertola, ASC World Coordinator referred to our Project of Apostolic Life about prayer, joy, faith, and love, and the devotion to Mary Help of Christians as some of the ways a Salesian Cooperator can live out his

or her vocation and make a difference in the world. ASC World Delegate Fr. Giuseppe Casti, SDB echoed the message of the Rector Major to help the poor which requires an open heart and real attitude of service with strong lay spirituality. ASC World Delegate Sr. Leslye Sandigo, FMA talked about creative planning that is sensitive to people who are experiencing difficulties and needing special attention. Other speakers were Fr. Renato de Guzman, SDB on the New Evangelization, Fr. Eligio Cruz SDB on the relevance of the Cooperators today, Dr. Onofre Pagsanghan, aka Mr. Pagsi, on reaching out to the young, Dra. Otilia Garcia on being fit to carry the mission, and Fr. Armand Robleza, SDB on the Salesians Spirituality of Joy as a framework for visioning. Mr. Pagsi‘s sharing of his dream to be like a toothpaste fully drained of its content

when he dies had a lasting impression on many.Very much like our Don Bosco who gave his all and who died like a candle that had been fully consumed. Yes we can all aspire, in fact we are all called to be saints, to be followers of Christ. A Souvenir Book featuring the lives of our cooperator saints such as Mamma Margherita, Dorotea Chopitea, Alexandrina da Costa and Attilio Giordani as well as the personal witnessing of some cooperators was printed for the occasion. Based on the action plans crafted, the Cooperators of East Asia truly experienced a new kind of renewal, a heightened fervor to bring the message of Christ to the young especially those directly under their care. Like Don Bosco, they are challenged to make the young feel that they are loved through their active witnessing of the love of God in their daily lives.

tODAY JuNE-AuGuSt 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

A P r E V I E w I Strenna STRENNA2015 2015

Like Don with the for the

he Rector Major posted on the sdb,org a preview or a draft of the Strenna for 2015. We divided this preview into two parts. For this issue and the next issue of St. John Bosco Today, we will get a good glimpse of the 2015 Strenna that may hopefully help us, the members of the Salesian Family, be more aware of the common journey we will take all throughout the year 2015. a BeautIful spIrItual InHerItanCe I am calling a beautiful spiritual inheritance our family tradition of the Strenna, since it is something that was always very close to Don Bosco’s heart.

The first messages – something similar to motto – as part of our tradition go back to the 50s. In the “Biographical Memoirs” (BM III 433 434) we read that a practice used by Don Bosco was that every so often he would write a little note to someone to whom he wanted to give a piece of advice. Some of these have been preserved and they are very personal invitations to do something good or to avoid something that is not quite right. But besides this, from the first years of the Oratory towards the end of the year, Don Bosco had begun to give a strenna/ motto to all his boys in general, and another to each one individually. The first one, the general one, used to consist in recommending certain forms of behaviour and some things for them

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014

to remember so that the new year that was starting would go well. Don Bosco continued to give these strennas almost every year. The last strenna was given in a situation that was very special for Don Bosco and his boys. We find this too in the Biographical Memoirs (BM XVIII 425-7). Feeling that his final hour had come, Don Bosco had Don Rua and Monsignor Cagiero called and with the little strength that he still had gave them his final recommendations for themselves and for all the Salesians. He blessed the houses in America and many of the confreres living in them. He blessed all the Cooperators and their families, and finally he asked them to promise him that they would love each other as brothers and sisters…

BosCo, young,

YounG First of two parts

and that they would recommend frequent communion and devotion to Mary Help of Christians. Taking up these words of Don Bosco, Don Rua, in his third circular letter, described that moment and those words, and added that: “this could serve as the Strenna for the new year and sent to all the Salesian houses. He would like it to be for one’s whole life and gave his approval so that it might really be the Strenna for the new year. (ibid) tHe strenna as a worD of unItY for tHe wHole salesIan faMIlY It is a distinguishing feature of our Salesian Family that it is in the first place a charismatic family(cf. Salesian Family Charter art. 5) in which the

Primacy of God-Communion constitutes the heart of Salesian mysticism. In this communion we recognise the diversity and at the same time the unity that has its origin in baptismal consecration, in sharing the Spirit of Don Bosco and in participation in the Salesian mission at the service of the young, especially the poorest (cf Salesian Family Charter art. 4). For this reason, in every Strenna we emphasise this aspect of communion which takes the first place in our Family. To the extent to which the same Strenna can help the pastoral planning of the different branches and groups it is welcome, but this is not its purpose. The intention is not to make it a pastoral plan for the year but rather for it to be a message

that builds up unity and communion for the whole Salesian Family in a common objective. lIKe Don BosCo: wItH HIs pastoral Heart anD HIs optIon for eDuCatIon CauGHt up In GoD’s plan The heart of Jesus the Good Shepherd is the hallmark of all our apostolic work and an essential point of reference for us. At the same time we find in Don Bosco a practical approach “in Salesian fashion” shaped by the extraordinary spirit of Valdocco or the similar one of Mornese or what is most typical of every group in our Salesian Family. But we know that the first point of convergence which applies to all is the charism of Don Bosco raised up by

SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

A P r E V I E w I Strenna 2015 the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church. This is what we call the Salesian charism which includes and finds a place for everyone. In Don Bosco, the happy expression (which was his plan of life) “That you are young is enough to make me love you very much” was the watchword and even before that the

and young women. The Lord raised up at his side a co-foundress: St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello with a group of young women who had already dedicated themselves at parish level to the Christian formation of girls. His pedagogical approach gave rise to other collaborators, men and women,

condition or circumstances, in order to lead them to the fullness of that human life that was found in the Lord Jesus and which took practical form in the possibility of living as an upright citizen and a child of God. This is the key to our existence, our living and putting into practice the

fundamental educational option of the Saint.” (Letter of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II for the centenary of the death of Don Bosco. Juvenum Patris n. 4) We know very well that for his boys and for his youngsters “Don Bosco carried out a striking series of activities by his words, writings, institutes, journeys, meetings with civil and religious personalities; for them, above all else, he showed an attentive concern for each one individually, so that in his fatherly love the boys might see a sign of a higher love still.” (ibid, n. 4) “Following the same criteria and with the same spirit he tried to find a solution also to the problems of girls

some of them consecrated by stable vows, others “cooperators,” associated with him through the sharing of his pedagogical and apostolic ideals.” (ibid, n. 4) To all of this is added the fact of his being the promoter of a special devotion to Mary Help of Christians and Mother of the Church and the concern and affection he always showed for his past pupils. At the centre of all that he did and the vision he had, as the real driving force of his activity was pastoral charity. For Don Bosco, precisely because he felt that he was involved in the plan of God, this pastoral charity meant loving young people whatever might be their

ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY SEPtEMBEr-NOVEMBEr 2014

Salesian charism. If each one of us can come to feel in our very being, in the depth of our being that same fire, that passion for education that Don Bosco had, meeting each young person on a deeply personal level, believing in each individual, convinced that in each one there is always a seed of goodness and of the Kingdom in order to help them to give the very best of themselves and to draw them to a close encounter with the Lord Jesus, then we shall certainly embody in our lives the best of the Salesian charism in our own way and according to our possibilities.

PHOTO COURTESY COURTESY OF OF FR. FR. BERNARD BERNARD NOLASCO, NOLASCO, SDB SDB PHOTO

“That “That you you are are young young isis enough enough to to make make me me love love you you very very much.” much.”

fIN-fIS NEwS DAVAO CITY — The parish of Mary Help of Christians in Dacucao, Calinan, Davao City is the first and the only parish of the Southern Province dedicated to our Lady Help of Christians. It was entrusted to the Salesians by the then bishop of Davao, Msgr. Fernando Capalla. D.D., on June 6, 2007 with Fr. Medelino Borgueta, SDB as the first parish priest. Having only a small chapel to begin the work, the plan to have a parish church started with the support of the parishioners pledging certain amount for this intention. In 2011, the second parish priest, Fr. Adriano Satura, SDB, started the building of the parish church with the overwhelming support of the benefactors and parishioners; and in three years the church has been finished. Fr. Cesar Manolasa, SDB designed the church after the old testament famous biblical image of the burning bush. The beautification and landscaping of the church is now being continued by the 3rd parish priest, Fr. Marcelino Benabaye, SDB who was installed by the new archbishop of Davao, Romulo Valles, D.D. last May 24, 2014 during its annual fiesta celebration. Now, Dacudao is not only known as a place where the world class quality of bananas are grown, but also as a haven for devotees to Mary Help of Christians who guided St. John Bosco in his mission in guiding the youth in becoming good christians and honest citizens.

PHOTOS COURTESY COURTESY OF OF COMMISSION COMMISSION ON ON SOCIAL SOCIAL COMMUNICATION-FIN COMMUNICATION-FIN PHOTOS

perpetual professIon

May 24, 2014 — The FMA sisters celebrated the Feast of Mary Help of Christians with the Solemn Perpetual Profession of Sr. Leilani F. Barana, FMA. Salesian Bishop Pat Buzon of the Diocese of Kabankalan presided the Holy Mass that was concelebrated by other Salesian priests at the St. John Bosco Parish, Makati City.

fIrst professIon

May 29, 2014 — Caritas Sisters of Jesus thank the Lord for the gift of their two newly professed sisters: Sr. Clara Mary-Joy Larawan, SCG and Sr. Lucia Jovelyn Apurado, SCG to their congregation. Rev. Fr. Eligio Cruz, SDB presided the 2:30pm Holy Mass. Both sisters are from the Parish of St. John Bosco, Mambukal, Murcia.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2014 ST. JOHN BOSCO TODAY

THE PHILIPPINE PrOVINCE OF ST. JOHN BOSCO Philippine North (FIN) TVET Centers DBTC San Jose City, Nueva Ecija DBA TVET Center Mabalacat City, Pampanga DBYC TVET Center Tondo, Manila City DBTC TVET Center Mandaluyong City DBTI TVET Center Makati City DB School of Printing Makati City Tuloy sa DB Foundation, Inc. Alabang, Muntinlupa City DBC TVET Center Canlubang, Laguna DBTC Calauan, Laguna DBTC Carolina, Naga City DB Agro Mechanical Technology Center Banquerohan, Legazpi City

THE PHILIPPINE PrOVINCE OF MArY HELP OF CHrISTIANS Philippine South (FIS) TVET Centers DBYC Borongan City, Eastern Samar DB TVET Center Dumangas City, Iloilo DB Home and Training Center Liloan, Cebu DBTI TVET Center Victorias City, Negros Occidental DBTC Punta Princesa, Cebu City DB TVET Center Balamban, Cebu DBYC Training Center Pasil, Cebu City DBTC TVET Center Mati City, Davao Oriental

“If we want to have a good society, we must concentrate all our forces on the Christian education of the young. Experience has taught me that if we wish to sustain civil society then we should take good care of the young.” - St. John Bosco