inFINity October 2022

receivedagreatgraceasSt.ArtemideZatti wasraisedtothealtarsonhiscanonizationlast October9,2022.Thiseventindeedtestifiesthat theSalesianBrothervocationisasureway toholiness,asSt.Zattiexemplifiedinhislife.

TheRectorMajorFr.AngelFernandez-Artime, SDB,invitedallSalesians especiallythe coadjutorbrothers toRometobeableto witnessthecanonizationofSt Zatti

Hepreparedaspecialprogramforallwho werewillingtoparticipateinthishistoric momentinourcongregation

www.sdb.org.ph/fin/

OnOctober8,wehadtheMasswiththe RectorMajorandthewholeSalesianFamily gatheredinRomeforthecanonizationofSt. ArtemideZatti Afterward,therefolloweda specialaudiencewithHisHolinessPope FrancisinthePopePaulVIHall.Boththe RectorMajorandthePopeconveyedtous theimportanceoflivingalifefilledwith gratitudeandhumblesubmissiontoGod’s will,asthesewerethedeterminingvirtuesfor St Artemide’sholiness

ByBr.RoelJudeMallari,SDB RomeTours

AsouvenirphotooftheFilipinoSalesianBrothers attheMHCBasilicainTurinwithMs.JoGrafil(2nd fromleft),andFr.GerryMartin(4thfromleft).

OurconfreresstudyingTheologyinthe UniversitaPontificiaSalesianatouredus aroundtheplacesinRomethatare significanttothelifeandmissionofDon Bosco.Ofthemanyplaces,theMuseumin theBasilicaofMaryHelpofChristiansheld themostsignificance.

CanonizationDay

Peoplefromdifferentpartsoftheworld beganflockingaroundSt.Peter’sSquarefor thecanonizationoftwonewsaints:St. GiovanniBattistaScalabrini,andSt Zatti

Inhishomily,PopeFrancisremarkedonthe relevanceofSt.GiovanniBattista

Scalabrini’sholinessandworkamongthe migrantsinhistime,andhowhisexample shouldsetanexamplefortherestof humanity.HealsomentionedSt.Artemide Zatti’smigrantstoryaswell,andhowthis helpedhimtobearealgoodSamaritan amongthepoor,thesick,andtheelderly.

Torino–Chieri–Colle

Thedayafterthecanonizationwas practicallyspenttravelingfromRometo Turin,whichonaveragetookeighthoursby bus.Wewereallwarmlywelcomedin Valdoccoataroundfiveo’clockinthe afternoon.

TheRectorMajorpresidedovertheHoly

MassonOctober11attheBasilicaofMary

HelpofChristiansasthanksgivingforthe giftofholinessinSt. Zatti.Wespentthenext threedaysgoingaroundTurin,Chieri,and ColleDonBosco Wehadaglimpseofthe earlylifeofDonBoscoinChieri,hisworkin Turin,andhowthissmallworkofhis became

The

suchalegacyinhisage:theprintingpress, thevocationalshops,andtheeducational methodthathebothinitiatedandutilized werewayaheadofhistime.Tothinkthat DonBoscodidsomuchwithresourcesso few hislifewasindeedamiracleforthe Salesians.

OnOctober14,Fr.IvoCoelho,SDBinhis homily,challengedallSalesianspresentto be,asZattiandVen.SimoneSrugiwere, prophetsofbrotherhoodamongthemany communitiesthatwearesentto,because thatisacallgiventoallSalesians,priests, andbrothersalike

Itistrulyagracetohavebeeninvitedby theRectorMajortoparticipateintheseholy activities.

Personally,itmademeappreciatemore deeplymySalesianBrothervocation,first bythewitnessofSt.ArtemideZatti’slife,and secondbythemanyencountersIhadwith SalesianBrothersfromacrosstheglobe.It wastrulyanenrichingexperience,andIam beyondgrateful

Wewereall assistedbyMs Josephine“Jo” Grafilfromthe acquisitionof requiredpapers fortravel,tothe itinerarythatwe weretofollow, since,formost ofus,itwasour firsttimetobe inItaly.

inFINity isamonthlypublicationproducedbytheCommission

onSocialCommunicationofthePhilippines--NorthProvince(FIN) ItcomesouteverylastdayofthemonthasanhonortoSt.John Bosco,thetitularpatronoftheFINProvince.

Tocontribute,pleasesendusanemailviacscom@one-bosco.org

THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

Don Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB

ThefirstMissionary expeditionwasblessedby theDonBosco’stearsashe said:“[W]hoknows?This departure[forthemissions], thishumblebeginningmay betheseedthatwillgrow intoamightytree.”That prophecyhascometrue.

Thatfirstonewas unforgettable.Itwas1875, theFeastofSt Martinof Tours.Thoughtheworlddid notknow,inthatlittlecorner ofTorinocalledValdoccoan extraordinaryenterprisewas justbeginning:tenyoung Salesiansweredepartingfor Argentina.

TheBiographicalMemoirs recountthiseventofepic significance:“Asfouro'clock wasstrikingandthefirst notesofthecarillonwere echoing,asuddenfurious noisewasheardinsidethe House,withslammingof doorsandwindows Awind hadarisensoviolentlythatit threatenedtosweepaway theOratory.

Itmayhavebeenpure coincidence,butitisafact thatasimilarviolentwind brokelooseattheveryhour whenthecornerstoneofthe churchofMaryHelpof Christianswaslaid.

Ithappenedonceagain duringtheconsecrationof thesamechurch.”

TheBasilicawasoverflowing withpeople.“DonBosco mountedthepulpitas Vespersended Atsightof him,aprofoundsilencefell overthatvastseaofpeople, alltremblingwithemotion astheyeagerlydrankinhis everyword.Everytimehe referreddirectlytothe missionarieshisvoice becamechoked,thewords almostdyingawayonhis lips.Hemanfullyrestrained histears,buthisaudience wept.

‘Butmyvoicefailsme,tears stiflemywords.Ionlysay thateventhoughinthis momentmysoulis saddenedatthethoughtof yourdeparture,myheartis

greatlyconsoledinseeingour Congregationstrengthened;in realizinghowwe,inour insignificance,areyetableat thismomenttocontributeour littlepebbletothemighty edificeoftheChurch.Yes,go forthbravely,butremember thatthereisbutoneChurch thatisspreadoverEurope, America,andthewholeworld andwelcomesmenofall nationswhoseekrefugeather maternalbosom.AsSalesians, nomatterinwhatremotepart oftheworldyoumaybe,never forgetthathereinItalyyou haveafatherwholovesyouin theLordandaCongregation thatthinksofyouinevery circumstance,providesforyour needsandwillalwayswelcome youasbrothers Go,then You willhavetofaceallkindsof trials,hardships,anddangers. Donotbeafraid;Godiswith you;youwillgo,butyouwillnot goalonebecauseeveryonewill accompanyyou Farewell! Perhapssomeofusshallnot meetagainonthisearth.’

Thencamethemost[moving] momentofthewhole

ceremony,onewhichdrew tearsandsobsineverypart ofthechurchandsorely taxedtheemotionsofthe youthfulapostles.Whilethe boys’choirrepeatedthe antiphonSitnomenDomini benedictumexhocnuncet usqueinsaeculum[Maythe NameoftheLordbeblessed bothnowandforever],their belovedfatherandallthe priestspresentgavethe farewellembracetothe missionariesinthe sanctuary Inhissermon, DonBoscohadpromisedhe wouldgivethemissionaries somewrittenmementos thatshouldbeafather's testamenttothesonshe wouldperhapsneversee again.Hehadjottedthem downinanotebookwhileon arecenttripbytrain

Hehadhadcopiesmade, andhegaveonetoeach missionaryasheleftthe altarofMaryHelpof Christians.”

Thetreegrows

OnSeptember25thisyear, werelivedthatmomentof graceforthe153thtime. Today,theygobythenames ofOscar,Sébastien,JeanMarie,Tony,Carlos There aretwenty-fiveofthem, youngmen,prepared,who showintheireyesandcarry intheirheartsthe understandingandcourage ofthosefirstmissionaries Theyaretheadvanceguard ofwhatIrequestedofthe entireSalesianFamilyfor thissessennium:boldness, prophecy,andfidelity

DonBoscohadmadeasmall prediction:“’Indoingthisweare enteringuponamighty undertaking,notbecausewe haveanypretensions,or becausewebelievewecan convertthewholeworldina fewdays;yetwhoknows?This departure[forthemissions], thishumblebeginningmaybe theseedthatwillgrowintoa mightytree.Itmaybelikeatiny grainofmilletorofmustard seedthatwillgrow,littleby little,andaccomplishgreat things.

Itmayawakeninmanyhearts adesiretoconsecrate themselvestoGodinthe Missions,tojoinforceswithus andreinforceourranks.The extraordinarynumberofthose whoaskedtobechosenmakes mehopethatitwill’”

“Amissionary Whata name!”Thisisthetestimony ofoneSalesianwhohas spentfortyyearsofhislifeas amissionary:“Oneelderly personsaidtome:‘Donot speaktomeofChrist;sit herenexttome,Iwantto smellyourodorandifthisis Hisodor,thenyoucan baptizeme’”

Thefifthwordofcounselthat DonBoscowrotetothe missionarieswas:“Take specialcareofthesick,of thechildren,oftheaged, andofthepoor”

Weliveinatimethatmust beconfrontedwitha renewedmentalitythat “knowshowtogobeyond boundaries.”

Inaworldinwhichwerun theriskofbeinghemmedin bybordersmoreandmore, theprophecyofourlife consistsofthis,too:toshow thatweknownoborders. Theonerealitythatwe possessisGod,HisGospel, andourmission.

Idreamthat,inthese comingyears,tosay “SalesiansofDonBosco” meanstothosewhohear ournamethatweare consecratedpersonswho are“alittlecrazy.”Crazy becausewelovetheyoung, aboveallthepoorest,most abandonedandhelpless ones,withatrueSalesian heart.Thisseemstometo bethemostbeautiful definitiontodaythatone canpossiblygivetoDon Bosco’ssons.

Iamconvincedthatour Fatherwouldwantittobe preciselythisway.

Theystillgoforthsoasto givetheirlifetoGod and notjustinwords.The Congregationhaspaidthe pricewithitsblood The mottothatthemartyrRudolf Lunkenbeinhadchosenfor hisordinationtothe Priesthoodwas:"Ihave cometoserveandtogive mylife”Onhislastvisitto Germany,in1974,hismother beggedhimtobecareful becausepeoplehadwarned herabouttherisksthather sonwasrunning Hereplied, "Mom,whyareyouworried? Thereisnothingmore beautifulthandyingfor God’scause.Thatwouldbe mydream”

Ihavethefirmconviction thatourFamilymustwalk towardsgreateruniversality, withoutborders,overthe nextsixyears.Nationshave boundaries Ourgenerosity, whichsustainsourmission, cannotandmustnotknow limits.

Theprophecytowhichwe mustgivewitnessasa Congregationdoesnotknow boundaries.

Amissionaryoncespokeof havingcelebratedHolyMass fortheindigenouspeople livinginthemountainsnear Cochabamba,Bolivia He wasayoungpriestand hardlyknewtheQuechua language.Attheendof Mass,ashewaswalking towardshishouse,hefeltit hadbeenafiasco–thathe hadunabletogetanyofhis messageacross.

Then,anoldfarmer,poorly dressed,presentedhimself andthankedtheyoung missionaryforhaving come “Thenhemadean incrediblemove.BeforeI couldopenmymouth,the oldcampesinoputhis handsintothepocketsof hiscloakandtookouttwo handfulsofmulticolored rosepetals.Hestoodupon tiptoeand,usinggestures, askedmetohelphimby loweringmyhead.

Thenhedroppedthepetals onmyhead;Iwas speechless.Herummaged inhispocketsagainand managedtoextracttwo morehandfulsofpetals He keptrepeatingthisgesture. Hissupplyofred,pink,and yellowrosepetalsseemed endless Ijuststoodthere andletithappen,lookingat myhuaraches(leather sandals),wetwithmytears andcoveredwithrose petals.Whenhehad finished,hetookhisleave andIwasleftalone,with onlythefreshfragranceof roses”

Icantellyoufrom experiencethatmillionsof familiesallovertheworld arefullofgratitudetothe Salesians,whohave becomethe"Gospel"intheir midst

MayGodblessyou.

AstyphoonPaengtraversesitspathwithstrong windsandheavyrains,VocTokcontinuedits broadcastunderSignalnumber3 Thisdidnot preventyoungpeoplefromschoolsandhousesof theSalesiansofDonBosco,theFMASisters,andthe CaritasSistersofJesusfromgatheringasone,via Facebooklive,topraytherosaryinhonorofthe BlessedMotherandtoprayformorevocationsto theSalesianFamily

Precedingitsfirst-everYouthRosaryRallyheldlast year,withthetheme“Paglalayag:SaanAko Patungo?”whereinyoungpeopleexpressedtheir strugglesintheirvocationdiscernmentandinthe midstofthepandemicintheformofrants,this year’srosaryrallythemedas“Kumpas:Diyosang HantunganatWakas”focusedonenlightenment andgratitudetoOurLady.

TheVocTokteampreparedtheirowncoverofthe recentlyreleasedsingleofMoiraDelaTorreentitled “Kumpas(RewrittenVersion)whichservedasthe themesongoftheevent Likeacompass,the BlessedMotherhasalwaysdirectedandguided eachonetoChrist,throughouteverystorminlife, throughthepandemic,andintothenewnormal.

Thethemewasmadeevenmoremeaningfulas Rev.NormanGandiaoftheArchdioceseofManila, analumnusfromDonBoscoMakati,sharedhis ownstoryofhowtheBlessedMotherguidedhimin hisvocation Inhistalk,hegavehisownacronym forthewordKUMPAS:KristoUnangMamahalin, PalagiAkongSasagipin.

TheeventendedonagoodnoteastheVocTok teamorganizedamini-gamefortheparticipants. Itwasonlywhenthebroadcastendedthatthe electricitywentoutinthearea Truly,thisevent wasaclearmanifestationthatwithdevotiontoour BlessedMother,miraclescanhappen.

Celebrating the Rosary Month at the MHC National Shrine

ByMs.JoyceBustamante

ThereisnodoubtthatBgy. DonBoscohasastronglove forourBlessedMother. Asidefromperhapsbeing therecord-holderfor havingthemostnumberof imageserectedina Barangay,thedevotionto herissostrongthatwefind manycommunities,parish volunteers,andtheir familiesflockingtogetherto praytherosary,imploring theintercessionofMary HelpofChristiansfor variousconcerns.

AsFr.CrisMagbitang,SDB saidthat“weruntoher maternalembracefor protectionagainstevil forcesthatcaneasily overwhelmusanddevour oursoulstodespair.“

Hecitedthatweneedher powerfulintercessionforthe manyproblemsand challengesthattheworldis facingatthistimeinour history:“Thethreatofthe nuclearwarasthefighting continuestoescalate betweenRussiaand Ukraine;theloomingglobal recessionfacingallnations becauseofrisinginflation; thehopelessresignationto ableakfuturemanyyoung peoplefeelasaresultofthe highcostoflivingandfewer

jobopportunities;andthe covidpandemicthat continuestodisruptour livesandmostespecially theeducationofour children.”

Assuch,onOctober8,inthe Parish-led“LivingRosary,” beforethe100-year-old crownedimageofMary HelpofChristians,families representingthedifferent parishministriesand organizationswerecalled toleadthedevoteesof Marytotheprayingofthe rosaryfortheabovementionedintentionsand for“thestabilityinthe family,thenucleusof society,andforthehealing oftheEarthand sustainabilityofthe environment”Inbetween thejoyfulmysteries,the MusicMinistry’sRondalla andYouthChoir,ledby JomarSoriano,rendered Mariansongs

Thesesongsfurtherhelped expresstheloveforourMother, whilethemembersfromparish organizationsandministries madetheirfloralofferings.

TheMarianCommissionand PWPNalsoledtheparishioners inprayingtherosaryafterthe HolyHour,ontheFirstFridayof themonth,onOct.7–theFeast ofOurLadyoftheRosary.

Meanwhile,evenwhenmostof thesecommunitieshaveno chapelsintheirareas,they haveorganizedtheprayingof therosarytogether.And,our SalesianpriestsfromourParish havebeentakingthese scheduledgatheringsasan opportunityforapastoralvisit Themonthoftherosaryisa monthoflove:forherandwith Her,ourBlessedMother.

ThemonthofOctoberhasbeentraditionally dedicatedtotheBlessedMother.WhenIwas anelementarystudentinDBMandaluyong, weusedtohaveadailyofferingofflowers toMary.Presently,Octoberisstilldedicated toMarybutwithafocusontheRosary.

WebeganthefirstdayofclassesinOctober withspecialmorningprayersThestagewas decoratedwithatarpaulindepictingthe BattleofLepantoInthisnavalbattle,the Christianforcesweregreatlyoutnumbered. AtthebehestofthePope,theChristian peopleturnedtoMary,invokingherhelp throughtheRosary.Thatdecisivevictoryof theChristiannavalforceswasliturgically celebratedwiththeFeastoftheMostHoly RosaryonOctober7

TheJuventusGroupofferedaMarian interpretativedancetoaccompanythesong “AwitsaInangSantoRosario”

DuringthemonthofOctober,theMaryGarden comestolife.Eachclassisgivenadaytopray amysteryoftheRosaryatcertaintimesofthe dayattheGarden.

Forthisreason,too,eachclassisalsoassigned anareaoftheGardentocleanandbeautify.

DBLegazpi

Octoberisoneofthemonthsthatkeepthe PastoralTeambusy.TheYouthEncounter Retreatwhichbeganattheendof Septembercontinuedintheremaining threeweeksofOctoberandbeyond

Wetakethisretreatseriouslybecauseof thepositiveimpactonthetrainees.Wealso takecarethattheYEdoesnotbecome merelyaone-timebig-timeevent.A“BalikTanaw”Recollectionwillbeorganizedin AdventandtheninLenttorefreshthefruits oftheRetreat.

FamilyMinistry

Wehavebeenholdingthisfamilyformationfor yearsandwehavewitnessedthegooditdoes. Ithasopenedthemindsandheartsofparents andchildrentooneanother.Ithasalsogiven themtheopportunitytotalktooneanotherina waytheymayneverhavedonebefore.

Thepossibilityofafamilyministryisver limitedinLegazpiduetothedistanceo manyfamiliesfromtheTrainingCenter whatcanbedone,wemakeeveryeffor do.InDBLegazpithefamilyministrytak theformoftheFamilyFormation.

Thiswasstoppedfortwoyearsduetot pandemic.Weusedtoholdthisformation inTiwi,Ligao,OldAlbayandDBLegazpi.This istobringtheformationsessionascloseas possibletotheplaceswheremanyofour traineescomefrom.ThisTrainingYear,we managedtoholdonetrainingsessionin OldAlbayattheDivineWordCollege–Legazpi Thetworemainingsessionswillbe heldinDonBosco.

TheTraineesstaywithusfortenmonths

The timegivenusisneverenough.Buttheexit interviewgivenbytheTechnicalDirectorbefore theirfive-monthOJTisenoughtoconvinceus thatsomethinggoodhashappenedtoour Traineesbecauseoftheirstaywithus.

Andthisencouragesustogoon,forwehave notwastedourtime.DonBosco’smission continuestobefulfilledamongthe“jovenes” (youth)ofBicol.

ByCl.DanielGonzales

Vegetable Pickling: Livelihood Training in MHC National Shrine

Article&PhotosByMaloudelRosario

TheMHCLivelihoodCommitteehelda VegetablePicklingSeminaronKimchi, AtsarangSayote,andPickledUbod attheBulwaganniMarialast October14,2022.

Theactivitywasconductedinpartnership withtheParanaqueLivelihoodResource andManagementOffice(PLRMO). Therewere39participantswho attendedthisseminar.

TheLivelihoodCommitteeisproactivein introducingwaystoaugmentthefamily income

PH Community Inaugurates

Namuncura Organic Urban Garden

Article&PhotosByCSComNewsService

SDB-FINProvincialHouse,MakatiCity, thePhilippines,11October2022--To breakopentheSalesianMissionsMonth, theProvincialHousecommunityalong withtheLayMissionPartnersofthe ProvincialOfficesinauguratedthe rooftopgardeninhonorofBl.Zeferin Namuncura

Fr.JessTayag,SDB,championedthis initiativeinkeepingwiththeSeasonof Creation.

TheroofdeckoftheProvincialHouse buildingisfilledwithall-organic vegetables,herbs,andornamental plants.

Fr.BobbyMACRoxas,rectorofthe ProvincialHousecommunity,presided therite.

Fr.JessTayagsharessomeofhisthoughtswith theLayMissionPartnerspresentintheoccasion

DBNaga

Article&PhotosByFr.TotoCerada,SDB

11October2022--TodayDBTVETNAGAjoined thewholeSalesianFamilyoveralltheworld inthankingGodforgivingusanewsaintin thepersonofSt.ArtemidesZatti,aSalesian Brother.

TheSalesians,LayMissionPartners, Parishioners,youngpeople,andourTVET Bosconiansgatheredtogetherasafamilyto celebrateaMassinhonorofSt Artemides Zatti.

ThemaincelebrantoftheMasswasFr Abner Santos,SDB(Rector)togetherwithFr.Arnold Sanico,SDB(ParishPriest),andFr Toto Cerada,SDB(YouthCenterDirector).

Garden in Honor of St. Francis de Sales

DonBoscoCalauanrespondstothe400th anniversaryofthedeathofSaintFrancis throughagardendedicatedtohim,the Salesiancommunityhopestoincrease EducativePastoralCommunity understandingofSaintFrancisdeSales's persona,spirituality,andteachings.

Thegardenissituatedbetweenthe classroomsandtheadministrativeofficeto remindeveryonewhopassesbythatthe Salesiansareespeciallysensitivetospiritual accompanimentatthisperiodinthehistory oftheChurch.

Thefour-footstatueisvisiblefromadistance. ItissculptedbyMangManny,anativeof Calauan.Fr.FerdinandCamilo,SDB,wasin chargeofthelandscaping

Levityaside,therectorandhis communityconsiderthegarden asa "visualassistance"anda chanceforcatechesisand devotionalgrowth.

Thestudentshaveoftenconfusedthestatue forFr.JMMangubat,theirrector.Levityaside, therectorandhiscommunityconsiderthe gardenasa"visualassistance"andachance forcatechesisanddevotionalgrowth.

ThecommunityalsoacknowledgesthatSt. FrancisofSaleshasmuchtoteachthem.

Itservesasareminderforthemtoreclaim theloving-kindnessandhealthyconnection atthecoreofDonBosco'sPreventiveSystem, since"whoeverwinstheheartwinsthewhole person. "

TheSalesianCongregation organizedaforumSDB ChangeCongress:Our Chance,OurChallengein theSalesianPontifical University(UPS)compound inRomefromSeptember19 –23,2022.Theofficeofthe EconomerGeneralplanned andcoordinatedthe programtogatherallthe provincialeconomers,those responsibleforthePlanning andDevelopmentoffice (PDO)andmissionprocures ofeachprovinceinthe congregation. Around220 participantsfromallover theworldjoinedthe Congress.

Therecentcrisesbrought aboutbytheCOVID pandemic,politicaland culturalturmoil,andeven technologicaladvances affecttheworlddeeply. Thesenewrealitiesand eventschallengedusto makeadjustmentsinour veryownlives.Thisisindeed atimeofglobalchange.

TheSalesianCongregation joinsthispathoftakingtime toreflectonwhatdecisions tomakeintheworldtoday.

TheSDBChangeCongressis theinitiativeorganizedbythe SalesianCongregationwith theaimofprovidingsolutions andguidelinestobetterdeal withcurrentchange.

TheCongresskickedoffwith theopeningremarksofBro. JeanPaulMullerSDB,theSDB EconomerGeneral,totake thiscongressasbotha ‘challenge’anda‘chance’ toimprove.JanisMcDavid, authorandmotivational speakerbornwithoutarms andlegs,remindedthe participantsthatthefirststep toimprovingisthe acceptanceofone’sreality andmovingonfromthereto attainone’sgoalsand desires

TheCongresstackledfive majorthemes:Sustainable Economy,SalesianSpirituality andLeadership,Artificial Intelligence,The CommunicationoftheFuture, andPreventionofCorruption.

ThethemeofSustainable Economyremindedthe participantsfirstand foremostofPopeFrancis’call forthecareofcreationand theenvironment.

ByFr.EdwinUlanday,SDB

Acirculareconomyalways considerstheresourcesprovided tohumanityandseestoitthat theseareequitablysharedby everyone.Thereare opportunitiesforgreater developmentofinnovative technologiesfortheenvironment thatmaybeconsidered.

Concretelytheparticipantsare challengedtolookinto alternativesourcesofrenewable energyandintooptimalwaste managementlikerecyclingand reuse.

SalesianSpiritualityand LeadershipfocusedonDon Bosco’spredilectionforpoor youthandattentiontothe workingclassasafoundational reasonforthedesiretochange andimprove.

Thedecisionstobemadeforthe journeytogrowthshouldalways leadSalesians,educators,and youngpeopleonthesamepath towardholiness.

Theauthor(right)withIndonesian ProvincialEconomerFr.Yohanes Boedi,SDB

Bro.JohnPaulMullerSDBspeakingatthecongress.

The challenge in this theme is for Salesians and lay to work towards communion and sharingforthesalvationoftheyoung

ArtificialIntelligence(AI)istheabilityofa machinetodisplayhumancapabilitiessuch asreasoning,learning,planning,and creativity.Itisoneofthemajornewrealities intheworldtodaythathastoberecognized.

Thecongressspeakersonthistheme informedtheparticipantsofboththe advantagesandrisksofusingAI.

Inthefieldofeducation,AIwouldneverbe abletoreplacethehumantouchofhuman educators.Thechallengeposedishowtoput AIattheserviceofadministrationand businessprocesses

emindstheparticipantsoftheirmoral ationstowardaccountabilityand parency.AsDonBoscosaidthatall ingsreceivedareforthemission.Itcalls reaterself-controlandmanagerial onsibilities.

cipantsarechallengedtolookintothe rtingsystemsthatwouldhelpin parentreporting.

SDBChangeCongresscreatedabreath shairforabetterfuture.Theparticipants hechancetounderstandbetterthe worldandtheenvironment.

TheCommunicationoftheFuturecontinues fromthepreviousthemeinunderstanding howtoday’stechnologies(blockchain,etc) canimprovesocietyandtheworldby becomingatoolofsustainability.

Thelasttheme,thePreventionofCorruption, issucharelevanttopicformostofthe participantsinasmuchasmostareinthe fieldoffinances

actionthefruitsofthecongressastheyreturn totheirowncontexts.Itisinterestingtocheck wheretheSalesianworksfortheyoungwould beforthefuture.

Encouragedbythe‘chances’offeredby changingsituationofsociety,theparticipants arenowtrulyinspiredtotakeupthe ‘challenges’forabetterfuturefortheyoung peopleoftoday

AIwouldneverbeable toreplacethehumantouch ofhumaneducators

"

ParishPastoralCouncil(PPC)membersand layleadersfromthedifferentFINParishes attendedthetwo-dayJuanFamilySystems SeminarheldinDonBoscoBatulaolast October15to16.

DesignedprimarilyforSalesianparishes,the JuanFamilySystemsSeminarisasciencebased,Bible-inspired,Salesianity-defined, andparish-basedapproachtosystems thinking,anchoredon"buildingjoyful togethernessintheparishcommunity."

ThefirstfortheFINprovince,theOctoberrolloutwasconductedbythebrainsbehindthe seminar,SalesianParishesdelegateFr.

ArmandRobleza,SDB&systemsconsultant Ms.VivesReyes,withtheassistanceofyouth leaderMs.SelinaCipriano.

dynamic sessions integratedscripture,churchdocuments,and scientificstudieswhichemphasizedthevision ofaunitedandeffectivechurchsetup.

Withmeaningfulexperiencesofprayer, discussions,andimmersiveactivities, theseminarfurtherimpressedtheleaders onthevalueofworkingcommunicatively withtheSalesianspirituality,whichwascollected inthoughtbyFr.Armandduringtheculminating session

Theparishleadersareexpectedtocascadetheir learningstotheirrespectivesettings,fulfillinga lineofactionintheprovince'sSalesianEducative PastoralPlan(SEPP).

ByMr.JerrichoReynaldo

LastOctober20-22,thePracticalTrainees ofthePhilippineNorthProvince(FIN)had theirformativeencounterandseminar attheSalesianHouseinBaguioCity

ThethemeoftheseminarwasSalesian SpiritualAccompanimentanditwasgiven byFr JakeLopez,SDB,delegateofthe CommissionofFormationoftheFINProvince. Muchoftheseminarwasgleanedfroma month-longcourseattendedbyFr.Jakeearlier thisyearinValdoccoonSalesianSpiritual Accompaniment

AsgleanedfromFr.Jake’spresentation,the valueofSalesianspiritualaccompaniment essentiallyboilsdowntobeingeffective guidesandco-journeyerswiththosebeing accompanied.Thevariousconversation techniques,rangingfrompreparingthe directeeandtheambiancedowntothe particularcuesoravenuestofacilitatethe encounter,serveasasolidframeworkinorder toreachwhatisneededtobeattainedinthe encounter:identifyingGod’spresenceinone’s experienceandtryingtorespondtothat experienceintheaccordancewithGod’scall.

Relatingthisseminartothecurrent experiencesofthepracticaltrainees,the lessonslearnedfromthisformativeencounter onSalesianspiritualaccompanimentserve asavitaltoolnottojustmaketheyoung Salesianseffectivespiritualguidestothe young,butfurthersolidifyanddeepena fundamentalaspectoftheirSalesianvocation: tobesomeonewholistenstotheyoung’s storiesandtobeacompaniontofindand discoverthewillofGodintheirlives.

TagaytayCity,thePhilippines,18-19October 2022--Inresponsetothechallengeofthe recentProvincialChapteroftheFINProvince, thevocationteamoftheProvinceorganized theassemblyoflocalvocationteams.

Theassemblyaimedtorenewthesenseof vocationalaccompanimentandtoestablish inallcommunitiesavocationteamanda SeekersGroup(PC2022#1&#2).

Thevocationteamsofeachcommunity cametogetherfortheirformationandtheir planning Thefirstdaywasdedicatedtothe formationonSpiritualAccompaniment, whichwasfacilitatedbyFr.JakeLopez,SDB RectorofDonBoscoPrenovitiateSeminary.

Fr.Jakespoketotheassemblyonskillsand gavetipsonspiritualaccompaniment. Afterward,eachoftheSalesianhouseswas giventimetopresentthesituationand progressoftheirvocationpromotion activities.ThedayendedwiththeEucharistic Celebration.

TheseconddaybeganwiththeEucharistic Celebration.Thesessionbeganwiththe presentationoftheSurveyonVocation,which wasconductedbyDonBoscoTechnical Institute-Makati.

Fr.JayDavidpresentedtheelementsthat couldbeplacedinthevocationplansofthe houses.Theplanningandorganizationofthe vocationteamsfollowed.Theplanningphase endedwiththesubmissionofthedraftplans tothevocationteamoftheProvince.Other activitiesoftheVocationprogramwere announcedattheendofthesession.

ByFr.JeromeQuinto,SDB

SalesianPriestsintheirQuinquennial FormationYears(firstfiveyearsoftheir priestlyministry)learnthebasicsofSalesian AccompanimentduringtheirFirstFormative EncounterthisschoolyearheldinLaSofiaSky ViewBedandBreakfast,Casile,Cabuyao Laguna,fromOctober11–13,2022

Fr.JakeLopez,RectorofthePrenoviate FormationHouse,andtheFINProvincial DelegateoftheCommissiononFormation facilitatedthethree-dayworkshop.The participantsthanktheirrespective communitiesforallowingthemtohavethis much-awaitedencounter.

TheirgratitudealsogoestoFr.EluUlandayfor arrangingthelogistics,finances,andallthe littledetailswithittomakethishappen.

ThenextQuinquennialFormativeEncounter willbeonJanuary2023.

GoodBooks

GABAY: Ilulunsad sa ika-20 ng Nobyembre 2022

SadaratingnaLiturhikalnaTaonA, ilulunsadngCommissiononSocial CommunicationngFINProvinceang "GabaysaPag-aaralng Ebanghelyo. "

IniakdaitoniPadreRenéLagaya,SDB upanggabayanangmgaalagadng Panginoongnagnanaispag-aralan angLingguhangsipingEbanghelyo.

Itoayisinulatsasarilingwikaupang higitnamaunawaanngmga karaniwangKristiyano.

Pakaynitongtulunganlalong-lalona angmgalaikongnamumunosamga PagdiriwangngSalitangDiyosatsa PagbibigaynaBanalnaKomunyon samgakapilyang'dimadaling maratingngkaparian.

Naisdinnitongtulunganangmga muntingpamayanangKristiyanong nagtitiponlinggo-linggoupang pagnilayanangBanalnaEbanghelyo.

Ibigdinnitonggabayanangmga Katekistasakanilangpagtuturo ngPananampalatayangKristiyanosa mgakabataanatmagingsamga nakatatanda.

Paradinitosasinumangnagnanais namaibahagiangMabutingBalita ngPanginoon.

Malakiangutangnaloobngmay-akda sayumaongsi PadreVicenteCervania,SDB(1947-2021),dahilsiyaang nag-isipngpitongyugtongbumubuosabawataral.

LikhaniG.RoyceKeiffDeGuzman,isangalumnusngDon BoscoTechnicalInstitute--Makatiangdisenyongpabalat ngaklat

As we wrap up the celebration of the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines this year, we are coming up withYouth+.

This is a sourcebook designed for peoplewhoaccompanytheyoung.

Aresourcethatcanbeusedforlessons, discussions, and reflection, this will be handy for parents, educators, faith formators, youth leaders, the media, and even young people who journey withtheirfellowyouth.

It contains timely information to inspire, educate, and inform those who work withyouth.

The Salesian Family's Gift to Filipino Youth & Youth Ministers

to be launched on 14 December 2022

Backed up with up-to-date researchesthathaveimplicationson the lives of young people, this will help them understand and relate themselvestotheyouthtoday.

We invited professors, counselors, priests, sociologists, psychologists, school administrators, and spiritual directors, who have endeavored to offer their time and talent to write abouttheyoungpeople.

Thisisabookthatisurgentlyneeded bythosewhowanttohelptheyoung peopleinthisandfuturegenerations grow into good Christians and uprightcitizens.