St. John Bosco Today March-May 2020 by St. John Bosco Today

, y l i m a F n a i The Sales

e v o L s ' d o G f o s r e g n e ss Me St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Contents St. John Bosco Today

Volume 49 I Number 4 | March-June 2020

A Magazine of Information and Religious Culture of the Salesian Family in the Philippines Message of the Rector Major ............................... 3 Editor’s Note .......................................................... 5 SALESIANITY 101 Circular to the Salesians on Spreading Good Books................................... 6 ONE WITH THE CHURCH Message of His Holiness, Pope Francis for the 53rd World Communications Day ............... 10

EDITORIAL TEAM Owner Salesian Society of St. John Bosco Printer Don Bosco Press, Inc. Publisher Don Bosco Press, Inc. Editor Fr. Bernard P. Nolasco, SDB Associate Editor Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB Copy Editor Fr. Mario Baclig, SDB Coordinators Fr. Keith Amodia, SDB (FIS) Sr. Rachel Flor, FMA & FMA Past Pupils, Sr. Sophia Akiko Oshita, SCG, Imelda Benitez-Domitita ASC, Dr. Victor B. Endriga DBAPNF, Maria Junifer Maliglig, ADMA, Evangeline Dolliente FADS Art Director Early Macabales Graphics & Design Studio DBPI-Creative Arts Section Circulation Commission on Social Communication For subscription, please contact Commission on Social Communication 3/F Don Bosco Provincial Office, Don Bosco Compound, C. Roces Ave. cor. A. Arnaiz Ave., Makati City, Philippines Tel (02) 8893-8227 loc. 114 | Telefax (02) 8892-8174 Annual subscription (4 issues) P300.00 Send your comments and suggestions to salesianbulletinphilippines@gmail.com Visit us at www.sdb.org.ph Copyright© 2020 by Don Bosco Press, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

PRINT MEDIA Don Bosco Press: Looking back, Moving Forward.................................................. 14 Word and Life Publications In the Service of Catechesis and Evangelization................................................ 17 RADIO MINISTRY Bisperas sa Veritas............................................. Faith-Sharing on the Air .................................... Langit sa Lupa..................................................... Genius On-Air......................................................

20 22 24 26

SOCIAL MEDIA MINISTRY.................................. 28 STRENNA 2020 Good Christians and Upright Citizens.............. 30 SALESIAN WORLD NEWS China Province Dedicates 2020 to the Anniversary of the Martyrs...................... 35 Opening of Fr. John Lee Memorial Hall in Busan....................................................... 35 Don Bosco Media in Mongolia........................... 36 New Rochelle Appoints New Salesian Missions Director................................ 36 SALESIAN FAMILY NEWS Ministering Families with the Youth Ministry............................................... 37 40th Anniversary of Salesian Priesthood ........ 39 Book Launch........................................................ 39 GONE TO THE FATHER Fr. Ramon S. Pacada, SDB.................................. 39

The Power of Love

MESSAGE OF THE

RECTOR MAJOR

How indescribable and unique is God’s love. It creates peace and tranquility. If our little human experiences of love have enough strength to change people’s lives, then how immense must God’s love be!

We are approaching the time of Lent which will prepare us for the Passover of the Lord. In this season, the Church proposes to us prayer, fasting, and charity to help us along our path to Easter. With this greeting, I propose a reflection that may be an excellent way to prepare for Easter: The way to live more and better at all times is by loving, but truly loving, as they say “until it hurts.” “Wherever you go, spread love. First of all, in your own home. Shower love on your sons and daughters, your wife or your husband, your next-door neighbor. Do not let anyone ever come to you without leaving feeling better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s goodness: goodness in your face, goodness in your eyes, goodness in your smile, goodness in your warm greeting.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta No doubt this is a simple and yet very specific program. Pope Benedict XVI offered it to us as his first encyclical letter “Deus Caritas Est” (God Is Love). It is a love that we have received and have met in our personal encounter with Christ. Pope Benedict tells us in his encyclical that it is a love “that gives a horizon to life…. The passion of God for each one of us is made concrete in a personal love, a love that is predilection and that gives meaning to our existence. God loves humanity and every human being, and his love becomes visible on the faces of those with whom we live.”

The passion of God for each one of us is made concrete in a personal love, a love that is predilection and that gives meaning to our existence. St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

During a moment of reflection, I thought about how indescribable and unique God’s love is. It creates peace and tranquility. If our little human experiences of love have enough strength to change people’s lives—a change that when it is a product of love always lifts up, always helps one get up, always elevates, and always launches forward to help one “get out of the ditch” —then how immense must his love be! Here is a beautiful fact of life that confirms what I have been saying. A university professor wanted the students of his Sociology class to go to the fringes of the big city where they would live to record the life stories of 200 young people. Students were asked to offer an assessment of the future of each respondent. In all cases, students gave the following diagnosis: “Without the least probability of success.” Twenty-five years later, another professor of Sociology found that previous study by chance and commissioned his students to follow up on the project begun many years before to see what had happened in the lives of those boys and girls, if they could still be found. With the exception of twenty who had moved to another place to live or who had died, the students discovered that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved success in life, that is, they had managed to have orderly, stable, and reasonably happy lives. The professor was stunned and decided to continue the investigation. Fortunately, many of those people lived relatively close by and it was possible to ask each one how they interpreted the path their lives had taken, given that the family and neighborhood context presaged the worst. In every case the answer, overflowing with a great feeling of gratitude, was, “I had this teacher.” That teacher was still alive. The professor looked for this still “alert and agile-

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

minded old woman” to ask what magic formula she had used to “save” those boys and girls from the toughness of the ghetto and to guide them along the path of an honest, orderly, and stable life. “It is really very simple,” the teacher replied. “I simply loved them.” We can recall many more similar stories from our own Salesian educational history all over the world. They will all point precisely to that great truth: Love has a power that transforms everything. Love nurtures and heals. Love gives confidence in oneself; it strengthens and empowers. Love moves hearts and lives, and has the strength to move the world and our lives within it. Unfortunately, we often act otherwise! Why do we so often struggle because we hold on to grudges, and foment rivalries and confrontations, rather than create spaces of understanding and peace? Did our God make us so imperfect that even while knowing that love can do everything, it is very difficult for us to live in love every minute, every hour, every day, or did he simply make us for love yet we confuse and block ourselves with many other things? I wish you all the best, my friends of the Salesian Bulletin [and Snippets and other Salesian newsletters] and I encourage you to join together to be part of this great group of millions of people who believe in the power of love because “GOD IS LOVE.” (1 John 4:8)

Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, SDB Rector Major

Dear Readers, In his lifetime, St. John Bosco was recognized as someone who made the most of the print media in producing reading materials that helped promote the truths of the faith. He also published books, periodicals, and pamphlets for academic purposes, covering areas of history, mathematics, literature, and science. He likewise wrote and published inspirational books, among them the biographies of his three exemplary boys: St. Dominic Savio, Michael Magone, and Francis Besucco. He wrote so many inspiring letters to his students, youth people, to his Salesians, and other members of the Salesian family, to his benefactors, and even to government officials. And when photography became available commercially, he made the most of it in order to inform people of his ministry among poor youth and invite them to support him in his works. More than one hundred and thirty years after his death, St. John Bosco continues to be proactively present in both mass media and social media through his big Salesian Family around the world. This issue of St. John Bosco Today presents the wonderful endeavors of some of the members of the Salesian Family in the fields of mass and social media, all for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. I encourage you to explore their works, follow them, and even share them with your friends. Also in this issue, you will find an inspiring letter of St. John Bosco to his Salesians. He took his pen to encourage them to give importance to good reading materials and to share them with others. Featured too in this issue is Pope Francis’ message for the World Communications Day 2019. Here, he gave emphasis to being active communicators in both real and virtual communities. Through our Baptism, we all received the gift of prophecy, that is, the gift of being spokespersons and messengers of God. To live fully this Baptism, we are challenged to be God’s communicators. May this March-June issue inspire us to make the most of our time and talents in communicating the Good News of the Lord in all the ways and means possible.

EDITOR’S NOTE

God bless us all.

Fr. Bernard P. Nolasco, SDB Editor in Chief

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

CIRCULAR TO THE

SALESIANS ON SPREADING

GOOD BOOKS BY ST. JOHN BOSCO Turin, 19 March 1885 Feast of St. Joseph

My Dearest Sons in Jesus Christ, The Lord knows how keen my desire is to see you, be in your midst, speak with you about our concerns, and console myself with the mutual confidence of our hearts. But unfortunately, dear sons, my failing strength, the remnants of earlier illnesses, and the urgent matters that call me to France, are preventing me for now at least, to follow the impulse of my affection for you. Being unable to visit you in person, I am arriving by letter. I am sure you will be happy with the constant remembrance I have of you, you who are my hope, my glory, and also my support. I want to see you grow in zeal and in merit before God every day, and so I will not hesitate to suggest to you from time to time various means which I believe will bring improvement and make your ministry more fruitful. One of these that I want to recommend warmly to you, for the glory of God and the good of souls, is the spreading of good books. I do not hesitate to call this means â&#x20AC;&#x153;divine,â&#x20AC;? since God himself used it to regenerate humankind. He inspired books that brought correct teaching to all the world. He wanted all the cities and villages of Palestine to have copies and that these be read each Sabbath in the religious assemblies. In the beginning, these books were the sole patrimony of the Hebrew people but, once the tribes were taken into captivity in Assyria and among the Chaldeans, the Sacred Scriptures were translated into the Syro-Chaldean language, and eventually all of Central Asia had them in their own languages.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Salesianity 101 Don Bosco Speaks

Someone who gives a good book might have no other merit than to awaken some thought of God, but has already gained an incomparable merit before God. With the rise of the Greek language, the Hebrews brought their colonies to every corner of the world. With them were the Sacred Books that multiplied â&#x20AC;&#x153;ad infinitum.â&#x20AC;? They even enriched the libraries of pagan peoples through their version of the Septuagint. Orators, poets, and philosophers of those times drew not a few truths from the Bible. God prepared the world for the coming of the Savior principally through these inspired writings. We, then, must imitate the work of our Heavenly Father. Good books, spread among the people, are one of the active ways to preserve the kingdom of the Savior in so many souls. The thoughts, principles, and morals of a Catholic book have substance drawn from the apostolic books and tradition. They are so much more necessary today in the face of the army of impiety and immorality, wreaking havoc in the sheepfold of Jesus Christ, leading and dragging down to perdition those who are careless and disobedient. It is necessary to fight weapons with weapons. Furthermore, even if books on one hand do not have the power of the living word, on the other hand they offer even greater advantages in certain circumstances. A good book can enter a house in which the priest cannot. It is even tolerated by evil people as a gift or remembrance. It does not get embarrassed when presenting itself, and does not worry if it is neglected. When read, it teaches truths calmly. If not liked, it does not complain, yet leaves feelings of misgivings that sometimes spark a desire to know the truth. All the time, it is ever ready to teach. Sometimes it gathers dust on the table or in the library. No one gives it a thought. But come a time of loneliness, or sadness, or boredom, or a need for relaxation, or a time of anxiety about the future, this faithful friend shakes off its dust, opens its pages, and the wonderful conversions of St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

I ask and beseech you then not to neglect this most important part of our mission. Work at it not only among the young people Providence has entrusted to you, but with your words and example transform them into many more apostles who spread good books. St. Augustine, Blessed Columbine, and St. Ignatius happen all over again. Polite in dealing with those who are fearful through human respect, it arouses suspicion in no one. Familiar with those who are good, it goes with them at every moment and place, always ready to talk things over. How many souls are saved by good books, how many preserved from error, how many encouraged in doing good! Someone who gives a good book might have no other merit than to awaken some thought of God, but has already gained an incomparable merit before God. And how much more is gained. Even if not read by the one to whom it was given or for whom it was intended, a book in a family is read by a son or daughter, a friend or neighbor. A book in a village then passes into the hands of a hundred people. God alone knows the good that a book, given as a mark of friendship, produces in a city, a mobile library, a workerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club, or a hospital. No one should fear that a book would be refused by someone just because it is good. The contrary is true. A confrere of ours used take his store of good books with him every time he went down to the wharves at the port in Marseilles, to give to the stevedores, craftsmen, and sailors. These books were always accepted happily and gratefully and sometimes read immediately with keen interest. Having said all that, and leaving aside much of what you already know, I want to point out why, not only as Catholics but especially as Salesians, you should be enthusiastic and spare no effort or means to spread wholesome books.

This was among the main tasks Divine Providence entrusted to me. You know how much effort I spent on it, notwithstanding the thousand and one other occupations I had. The raging hatred of the enemies of good, and attacks on me personally, show how error recognizes a formidable opponent in these books and how they are an undertaking blessed by God, for exactly the opposite reason.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Salesianity 101 Don Bosco Speaks

In fact, the marvelous spread of these books proves God’s special assistance. In less than thirty years, the total number of publications and books we have spread among ordinary people amounts to about twenty million. If some of them have been ignored, others have had hundreds of readers. Thus, we can certainly reckon that the number of people who have benefited from our books is much greater than the number of books we have published. This spreading of wholesome literature is one of the principle purposes of our Congregation. Article 7 of the first paragraph of our Regulations says of the Salesians: “They shall devote themselves to spreading good books among the people, using all the means which Christian charity inspires. By word and writing they will seek to counteract the godlessness and heresy that is trying in so many guises to creep in amongst the uncultured and unlearned. They should direct the sermons they preach to the people from time to time, triduums, novenas, and the spreading of good books, to this end.”

Among the books to be spread I propose that we stick to those that have a reputation for being good, moral, and religious. Moreover, we should give preference to those produced by our own presses. The reason is clear: whatever material benefit that results becomes charity through the support it provides for our many poor young people. Moreover, our publications tend to form an orderly system, that embraces on a vast scale all the classes that make up human society. I will not dwell on this point. Rather I am pleased to look at just one class, that of young people, for whom I have always striven to do good not only with the spoken but also with the printed word. While I sought to instruct all people with the Catholic Readings, its real purpose was to enter houses, let people know about the spirit in our schools, and attract young people to virtue, especially with the biographies of Savio, Besucco, and others. With The Companion of Youth, my aim was to lead them to church, instill the spirit of piety in them, and get them to love going to the sacraments. With the collection of edited Italian and Latin classics, the History of Italy, and other historical and literary books, I wanted to be at their side in school and protect them from so many errors and passions that would be fatal for them now and for eternity. Like in the old days, I wanted to be their companion in the hours of recreation. And so, I have thought of arranging a series of enjoyable books that I hope will not be long in coming. Finally, I also had this one among my many aims for the Salesian Bulletin: to keep the spirit of St. Francis de Sales and his sayings alive in boys who have returned to their families, and to make these boys the saviors of other young people. I am not saying that I have reached my ideal of perfection. On the contrary, I am telling you that it is up to you to

coordinate it so that it will be complete in all its parts. I ask and beseech you then not to neglect this most important part of our mission. Work at it not only among the young people Providence has entrusted to you, but with your words and example transform them into many more apostles who spread good books. At the start of the year, the pupils, especially the new ones, are burning with enthusiasm at the offer of our associations, even more so when it costs so little. Make sure that they join spontaneously and are not forced in any way to belong. With well-reasoned encouragement, invite the young people to join, not just for the good the books will do to them, but also for the good they can do to others, sending them home as soon as they are published, to their father, mother, brothers, and benefactors. Besides, parents who do not practice their religion fully are moved by the thoughtfulness of a son or brother who is away from home. Hence, they are easily encouraged to read the book out of curiosity, if for no other reason. However, let them be careful that what they send never looks like preaching or talking down at their relatives, but is always and only a thoughtful gift and an affectionate memento. When they return home, they should strive to increase the merits of their good works, by giving them as presents to their friends, lending them to relatives, giving them in gratitude for a favor done, passing them on to their parish priest, and asking him to distribute them and get more members. Be convinced, my dear sons, that such industriousness will draw the Lord’s choicest blessings down on you and on our young people. Let me end. Draw the conclusion to this letter yourselves by realizing that our young people get hold of moral and Christian principles especially by means of our productions. I say this without despising books of other publishers. I must tell you, however, that I was cut to the quick when I got to know that the books we printed were at times not known or held in no regard in some of our houses. Do not love, nor lead others to love, the knowledge which, the Apostle says, “inflat” (that is, inflates our pride.) Remember that, even though St. Augustine was an eminent teacher of fine letters and an eloquent orator, after he became a bishop he preferred the incorrect use of language and the absence of stylish elegance rather than the risk of not being understood by the people. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ always be with you. Pray for me. Yours affectionately in Jesus Christ,

G. C. Sac. Giovanni Bosco St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS,

POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 53rd WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

“We are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)

From social network communities to the human community From the Vatican, 24 January 2019, the Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales. DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

Ever since the Internet first became available, the Church has always sought to promote its use in the service of the encounter between persons, and of solidarity among all. With this Message I would like to invite you once again to reflect on the foundation and importance of our being-inrelation and to rediscover, in the vast array of challenges of the current communications context, the desire of the human person who does not want to be left isolated and alone.

THE METAPHORS OF THE NET AND COMMUNITY

Today’s media environment is so pervasive as to be indistinguishable from the sphere of everyday life. The Net is a resource of our time. It is a source of knowledge and relationships that were once unthinkable. However, in terms of the profound transformations technology has brought to bear on the process of production, distribution and use of content, many experts also highlight the risks that threaten the search for, and sharing of, authentic

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

We need to recognize how social networks, on the one hand, help us to better connect, rediscover, and assist one another, but on the other, lend themselves to the manipulation of personal data, aimed at obtaining political or economic advantages, without due respect for the person and his or her rights.

One with the Church

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

information on a global scale. If the Internet represents an extraordinary possibility of access to knowledge, it is also true that it has proven to be one of the areas most exposed to disinformation and to the conscious and targeted distortion of facts and interpersonal relationships, which are often used to discredit. We need to recognize how social networks, on the one hand, help us to better connect, rediscover, and assist one another, but on the other, lend themselves to the manipulation of personal data, aimed at obtaining political or economic advantages, without due respect for the person and his or her rights. Statistics show that among young people one in four is involved in episodes of cyberbullying.1 In this complex scenario, it may be useful to reflect again on the metaphor of the net, which was the basis of the Internet to begin with, to rediscover its positive potential. The image of the net invites us to reflect on the multiplicity of lines and intersections that ensure its stability in the absence of a center, a hierarchical structure, a form of vertical organization. The net works because all its elements share responsibility. From an anthropological point of view, the metaphor of the net recalls another meaningful image: the community.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

A community is that much stronger if it is cohesive and supportive, if it is animated by feelings of trust, and pursues common objectives. The community as a network of solidarity requires mutual listening and dialogue, based on the responsible use of language. Everyone can see how, in the present scenario, social network communities are not automatically synonymous with community. In the best cases, these virtual communities are able to demonstrate cohesion and solidarity, but often they remain simply groups of individuals who recognize one another through common interests or concerns characterized by weak bonds. Moreover, in the social web identity is too often based on opposition to the other, the person outside the group: we define ourselves starting with what divides us rather than with what unites us, giving rise to suspicion and to the venting of every kind of prejudice (ethnic, sexual, religious and other). This tendency encourages groups that exclude diversity, that even in the digital environment nourish unbridled individualism which sometimes ends up fomenting spirals of hatred. In this way, what ought to be a window on the world becomes a showcase for exhibiting personal narcissism. The Net is an opportunity to promote encounter with others, but it can also increase our self-isolation, like a web that can entrap us. Young people are the ones most exposed to the illusion that the social web can completely satisfy them on a relational level. There is the dangerous phenomenon of young people becoming â&#x20AC;&#x153;social hermitsâ&#x20AC;? who risk alienating themselves completely from society. This dramatic situation reveals a serious rupture in the relational fabric of society, one we cannot ignore. This multiform and dangerous reality raises various questions of an ethical, social, juridical, political and economic nature, and challenges the Church as well. While governments seek legal ways to regulate the web and to protect the original vision of a free, open and secure network, we all have the possibility and the responsibility to promote its positive use. Clearly, it is not enough to multiply connections in order to increase mutual understanding. How, then, can we find our true communitarian identity, aware of the responsibility we have towards one another in the online network as well?

WE ARE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER

A possible answer can be drawn from a third metaphor: that of the body and the members, which Saint Paul uses to describe the reciprocal relationship among people, based

One with the Church on the organism that unites them. “Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each to his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25). Being members one of another is the profound motivation with which the Apostle invites us to put away falsehood and speak the truth: the duty to guard the truth springs from the need not to belie the mutual relationship of communion. Truth is revealed in communion. Lies, on the other hand, are a selfish refusal to recognize that we are members of one body; they are a refusal to give ourselves to others, thus losing the only way to find ourselves.

As Christians, we all recognize ourselves as members of the one body whose head is Christ. This helps us not to see people as potential competitors, but to consider even our enemies as persons. The metaphor of the body and the members leads us to reflect on our identity, which is based on communion and on “otherness.” As Christians, we all recognize ourselves as members of the one body whose head is Christ. This helps us not to see people as potential competitors, but to consider even our enemies as persons. We no longer need an adversary in order to define ourselves, because the all-encompassing gaze we learn from Christ leads us to discover otherness in a new way, as an integral part and condition of relationship and closeness. Such a capacity for understanding and communication among human persons is based on the communion of love among the divine Persons. God is not Solitude, but Communion; he is Love, and therefore communication, because love always communicates; indeed, it communicates itself in order to encounter the other. In order to communicate with us and to communicate himself to us, God adapts himself to our language, establishing a real dialogue with humanity throughout history. (cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum, 2) By virtue of our being created in the image and likeness of God who is communion and communication-

of-Self, we carry forever in our hearts the longing for living in communion, for belonging to a community. “Nothing, in fact, is as specific to our nature as entering into a relationship one with another, having need of one another,” says Saint Basil.2 The present context calls on all of us to invest in relationships, and to affirm the interpersonal nature of our humanity, including in and through the network. All the more so, we Christians are called to manifest that communion which marks our identity as believers. Faith itself, in fact, is a relationship, an encounter; and under the impetus of God’s love, we can communicate, welcome and understand the gift of the other and respond to it. Communion in the image of the Trinity is precisely what distinguishes the person from the individual. From faith in God who is Trinity, it follows that in order to be myself I need others. I am truly human, truly personal, only if I relate to others. In fact, the word “person” signifies the human being as a “face,” whose face is turned towards the other, who is engaged with others. Our life becomes more human insofar as its nature becomes less individual and more personal; we see this authentic path of becoming more human in one who moves from being an individual who perceives the other as a rival, to a person who recognizes others as travelling companions.

FROM A “LIKE” TO AN “AMEN”

The image of the body and the members reminds us that the use of the social web is complementary to an encounter in the flesh that comes alive through the body, heart, eyes, gaze, breath of the other. If the Net is used as an extension or expectation of such an encounter, then the network concept is not betrayed and remains a resource for communion. If a family uses the Net to be more connected, to then meet at table and look into each other’s eyes, then it is a resource. If a Church community coordinates its activity through the network, and then celebrates the Eucharist together, then it is a resource. If the Net becomes an opportunity to share stories and experiences of beauty or suffering that are physically distant from us, in order to pray together and together seek out the good to rediscover what unites us, then it is a resource. We can, in this way, move from diagnosis to treatment: opening the way for dialogue, for encounter, for “smiles” and expressions of tenderness... This is the network we want, a network created not to entrap, but to liberate, to protect a communion of people who are free. The Church herself is a network woven together by Eucharistic communion, where unity is based not on “Likes,” but on the truth, on the “Amen,” by which each one clings to the Body of Christ, and welcomes others.

Franciscus 1. To stem this phenomenon, an International Observatory for Cyberbullying Prevention will be established with its headquarters in the Vatican. 2. Detailed Rule for Monks, III, 1: PG 31, 917; cf. Benedict XVI, Message for the 43rd World Communications Day (2009). St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

: s s e r P o Don Bosc d r a w r o f g n i v o M , Looking back BY DBPI CORRESPONDENT

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Print Media

In January 1989, Salesiana Publishers, Inc., opted to focus only on editing and publishing, and thus gave birth to Don Bosco Press, Inc. The Press updated and expanded its printing operations with the acquisition of state-of-theart equipment.

The printing press has always been a part of Don Bosco. In the early days of the Oratory in Valdocco, Turin, St. John Bosco trained the young in bookbinding and printing, and printed in his own press his books and magazines. So too in Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati. In the early 70’s, young trainees, most of whom were out-of-school and displaced, were enrolled in the graphic arts technical course. While the trainees mastered the skills in printing and eventually found worthy employment, the graphic arts department accepted printing jobs from outside clients. Alongside, unfolded the Salesiana Catechetical Center, that aimed to prepare AV and printed materials for the catechetical ministry. Thus, in 1979, the Salesiana Publishers, Inc., was established as an independent business unit that combined editorial and printing operations. The focus was on materials for the young, specifically religion textbooks and eventually other textbooks. It broke into the market with the Towards Life Series, an elementary religion textbook in full color, and an accompanying Teacher’s Manual. It also pioneered the Salesian masterwork, the Student’s Diary, that gained ground rapidly in many other schools. Salesiana also produced special publications and printed products that served the religious and liturgical needs of parishes and schools, as well as corporate materials for businesses. Another first was the Missalette that witnessed a substantial following in many churches. So also calendars with professionally printed images of Jesus, Mary, and the saints. As years went by, Salesiana expanded beyond the Salesian circles into the wide area of Luzon, as well as Visayas and Mindanao. Its religion series, Christian Becoming Series (CBS), became the official textbook of the entire Notre Dame educational system in Mindanao. It also led the way with textbooks in full color, and with its series in Mathematics and Science. It also was the first to provide training and formation for teachers, particularly in the area of catechetics and religious education. In January 1989, Salesiana Publishers, Inc., opted to focus only on editing and publishing, and thus gave birth to Don Bosco Press, Inc. The Press updated and expanded its printing operations with the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment. While remaining the printer of Salesiana Publishers, it opened its doors to the broad printing industry, while running a school of printing. Here, in the midst of the best of the industry, young workers mastered the trade and were assured of stable jobs even before graduation. St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

In 2019, Salesiana Publishers and Don Bosco Press were joined once again, for a second round of fruitful operations. Don Bosco Press, Inc., is now the official company name. SalesianaBooks is the product line of its textbooks. Faithful to the Salesian charism, it prints and publishes learning and teaching textbooks and materials for the young and their teachers. Sharing its printing expertise, it is in the commercial printing business, targeting small, medium, and large corporations. Today, Don Bosco Press, Inc., stands its ground as a respected Catholic publishing and printing company, with an attached graphic arts school. It is still the country’s only Catholic publisher of textbooks. Its continued growth is founded on its fidelity to the Salesian charism and spirit, to the practice of its corporate values, and to its efforts to cultivate the culture of quality and accountability at work, professionalism, thinking, and being above-the-line. Forty years after its birth, with around two hundred employees working throughout the country from Luzon to Mindanao, it looks forward to a challenging and promising future. It recommits itself to St. John Bosco’s project of forming upright citizens and good Christians by promoting quality education.

Today, Don Bosco Press, Inc., stands its ground as a respected Catholic publishing and printing company, with an attached graphic arts school. It is still the country’s only Catholic publisher of textbooks.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Print Media

WORD AND LIFE

PUBLICATIONS In the Service of Catechesis and Evangelization BY MS. GLADY RAMOS It was 1989: the National Bible Year in the Philippines. Inspired by God, Fr. Salvatore “Sal” Putzu, SDB, started the Word and Life Publications. Even if he did not have the resources, he wanted to help Filipinos know the Bible better and put God’s Word into practice in their daily lives. Hence, the name: Word and Life.

IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS

For the past thirty years, Word and Life has produced Bible study materials like Exploring God’s Word and Ang Bagong Salita at Buhay, Mass guides (Euchalette and Patnubay sa Misa), and the very useful aid for catechists, Pambatang Katekesis. Word and Life Magazine, its maiden publication, was elevated to the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) Hall of Fame as the Best Youth Magazine in 2018. Word and Life also published for the Philippines the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC) in English and Tagalog, and the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. When the Vatican publishes the encyclicals and apostolic letters of the Pope, Word and Life makes them available for Filipinos as quickly as possible. It even enriches them with subject indexes and other study aids to help priests, religious, and lay people understand and apply them. The most recent Christus Vivit of Pope Francis is a fine example. A long-cherished dream was fulfilled when Word and Life copublished, with the Claretians and St. Pauls, the Christian Community Bible in English, Tagalog, and Cebuano. Word and Life introduced the New Way of the Cross through innovative leaflets, pamphlets, and posters that highlight the Biblical passages for each of the stations. Truly a first, it promoted the Easter counterpart, The Trail of Light (Via Lucis), a favorite devotion of Pope St. John Paul II. Along with many other publications for liturgy and catechesis are materials promoting daily prayers and the rosary.

Fr. Sal explained: “We are the third largest Catholic population in the world. We should become a catechetical superpower. Then we will see. Miracles will happen!” St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

In cooperation with Word Media Ministry (WMM), Word and Life is present on radio through the weekly program, Bisperas sa Veritas, which started airing in 2004. It is present in the Internet with its website (www.wordandlife.org), Facebook page (Word & Life Publications), and YouTube channel (WordandLifeBarkada).

“Word and Life has, as THREE GRACE-FILLED DECADES its origin, this desire that During the celebration of its thirtieth anniversary, people can know Jesus, His Excellency, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, DD, that people can go to Jesus Apostolic Nuncio, remarked that St. John is, in a way, present to find consolation, to find Bosco through Word and Life Following the hope, strength, courage, Publications. example of this father and of youth, “Word guidance, and inspiration.” teacher and Life has, as its origin, — His Excellency, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, DD, Apostolic Nuncio

this desire that people can know Jesus, that people can go to Jesus to find consolation, to find hope, strength, courage, guidance, and inspiration.” During the Thanksgiving Mass at the St. John Bosco Parish Church last October 11, 2019, the Papal Nuncio assured Word and Life, and all the Salesian Family, of the gratitude, blessings, and support of Pope Francis, whom he represents. He continued: “This small seed that was planted thirty years ago has become a big tree.” This “initiative that was started many years ago, in very diﬃcult conditions, without any means, has really become a tool not just for this parish, not just for the Salesians, but for all the Church in the Philippines.” The Nuncio himself wondered who could have imagined then what Word and Life would become. But he explained: “God reveals to us our possibilities—that should not be measured with our meager (imagination) but with the imagination of God.” He thanked Fr. Salvatore, who was also celebrating his 81st birthday, “because he was listening to the inspiration—following the dream like St. John Bosco—of something good for the Church, for the people here in the Philippines.”

CATECHETICAL SUPERPOWER

In response, Fr. Salvatore unveiled his new dream: to see the Philippines become the leader in evangelization and catechesis in Asia. Already, Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, and Francis, when they visited the country, had thrown this challenge. Fr. Sal explained: “We are the third largest Catholic population in the world. We should become a catechetical superpower. Then we will see. Miracles will happen!” But this mission is not only for Word and Life but for the whole of the catechetical ministry. He concluded: “We will look forward with assuredness because this is the work of God. Let us pray and do it that it may become a reality. The dream has to become a reality.” St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

BISPERAS SA VER

To hear, live, and share God’s Wo BY FR. DRANS NOLASCO, SDB 2006

On fire with that single passion to “hear, live, and share God’s Word,” Word Media Ministry has been moving ahead on all fronts. In cooperation with Word and Life Publications, it has embarked on a one-hour Tagalog-English radio program, “Bisperas sa Veritas,” every Saturday from 5:00PM to 6:00PM over Radio Veritas – DZRV, 846 khz on the AM band. This has been complemented by the print project, “The Messenger of Divine Love,” a quarterly inspirational and devotional magazine in honor of Jesus under the titles of the Sacred Heart and the King of Divine Mercy. A third arm has been serving the prison and hospital apostolate by providing religious and inspirational reading materials to the chaplains of prisons and hospitals.

NOW IN ITS FIFTEENTH YEAR

“Bisperas sa Veritas” is now fifteen years on the air. It had its initial broadcast on the eve of the First Sunday of Advent (Year A) in November, 2004. Divine Providence has never been wanting. So also the spontaneous response of members of the Word Media Ministry, inspired by the dream of their dedicated and indefatigable spiritual director, Fr. Salvatore Putzu, SDB.

OBJECTIVES

The title, “Bisperas sa Veritas,” contains its key purpose. It is aired on the eve of the Sunday Eucharist in order to foster a

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

better appreciation of God’s Word in the liturgy and a more meaningful participation in the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.

FORMAT AND FEATURES

With the Filipino family as its main target audience, the broadcast team behind “Bisperas” simulates a family, engaged in an interactive catechesis on the Sunday readings. Fr. Salvatore Putzu, SDB, the main resource person, imagines that the interactive format of their weekly catechesis on the Sunday readings would encourage an even more animated and participative discussion through text messages and questions, landline phone calls, and e-mail messages from the listeners. Unique to “Bisperas” is its focus not only on the Gospel reading, but also on the two other Sunday readings. Often these are downplayed, if not altogether put aside. A particular theme identified at the start of the program serves to stitch together the reflections on the three readings. The program carries an innovative “character” of inquiry and questioning, resulting in candid, sometimes naïve, questions articulated by the listeners. The broadcast team handles these with care, calmly and unobtrusively providing answers. Hence, a more enriched catechesis unfolds through these pertinent questions brought to the fore and the resulting clarification of Biblical passages that are often misunderstood.

RITAS

Radio Ministry

ord

2019

The title, “Bisperas sa Veritas,” contains its key purpose. It is aired on the eve of the Sunday Eucharist in order to foster a better appreciation of God’s Word in the liturgy and a more meaningful participation in the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.

By now, listeners easily identify “Bisperas sa Veritas” once the theme song plays on the air. The lyrics of “Ang Salita ng Diyos” were penned by Cecile Valmonte and set to music by Raul Velez. The live broadcast attempts to attract more listeners by adding variety to the program. Fr. Salvatore always composes a special prayer to bring together the theme, the readings, and the round-table discussion on contemporary issues. Halfway through the program, there are prayer requests or intentions, as well as greetings and suggestions, from the listeners.

FUNDING

“Bisperas” depends solely on Divine Providence and the goodwill and generosity of friends who believe in its cause and of benefactors who cannot be actively involved. There are no commercial sponsors. Through the years, Fr. Salvatore has always managed to pay the bills. He remains ever optimistic and inspired by the saying, “Where God guides, He provides.”

PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAM

The mainstays of the broadcast team are the Salesians, Fr. Salvatore Putzu and Fr. Bernard Nolasco, who alternately anchor the program. Members of Word Media Ministry

also take turns to complete the “family” broadcast team. Among them are Lholet Balboa, Citas Sugue, Mila Macam, Vi Hernandez, and Bennette Consolacion.

SOME FEEDBACK

In these fifteen years of bringing the Word of God on the air, “Bisperas” has steadily widened its audience, as reflected in the messages reaching Radio Veritas from various parts of the country. Many priests candidly acknowledge how the interactive catechesis help them in their homilies on the following Sunday. “Bisperas sa Veritas” also maximizes the power of the Internet and can be accessed anywhere in the world. It goes live in the Facebook page of Radio Veritas, Veritas846.ph. Moreover, Bisperas sa Veritas on Facebook has all the recent past programs posted, as well as relevant and timely Church teachings and information. With the mobile app of Veritas 846 (App Store and/or Play Store), the livestream of “Bisperas sa Veritas” can also be accessed.

(We acknowledge the contribution of the late Dra. Cecilia Valmonte, one of the original members of Bisperas sa Veritas, who wrote a similar article for the March—May 2008 issue of the Salesian Bulletin.) St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

FAITH-SHARING R I A E H T ON

“Panag-ambitay” (communion or sharing) BY FR. RANDY FIGURACION, SDB

white polo), together with Fr. Randy Figuracion, SDB (in Habits” at DYRF 1215. some guests in one of “Monday

Four years ago, the Don Bosco-Center for Lay Adults and Youth (DB-CLAY) of Cebu launched the radio program “Panag-ambitay” (communion or sharing) on DYRF 1215, Radio Fuerza Cebu on the AM band. Since then, the Salesians of the South Province and their lay mission partners have been on the air every Monday from 8:00 to 9:30 in the evening. This “Monday habit” has attracted a good following. Among the different programs of the station, owned and operated by the Society of the Divine Word, it was ranked among the Top 3 in the 2nd quarter of 2019. Most of the time, I do the anchoring, together with a professional catechist, Carol Arcenal-Gatchalian, and an HR practitioner, Marlon Ardiente. Co-hosts include the veteran catechist, Mindex Lopez, and a budding youth

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

minister, Edu Empelis, Jr. The team brings an interesting and exciting treasure chest of experiences and insights on topics ranging from daily life experiences, spirituality, family, relationships, parenting, and youth. Additional guests and resource persons handle topics relevant to the Filipino family as well as contemporary issues and concerns. Unique in its interactive format, Panagambitay welcomes phone-in or shortmessage participation from its audience worldwide. It can be viewed on the web through the station’s digital App for iOS and Android devices. One may tune in to the live broadcast at http://dyrf1215. weebly.com or may watch the program live on the Facebook account http://www. facebook.com/dyrfradio. The radio program was an unexpected gift on the 200th birth anniversary of St. John Bosco in 2015. Tasked to promote this event on the grass root level, I approached Fr. Bobby Ebisa, SVD, the Station Manager, hoping to get on-theair advertisement for free. I got it, and even more. He offered the slot for a new radio program for free! After forming a team of amateur broadcasters, we accepted the offer as an avenue to evangelize culture and individuals. From the start, Panag-ambitay was envisioned as a relevant, formative, and family-oriented radio program that would foster basic human values and Christian virtues. Though AM radio is a pre-digital format, it is still farreaching, accessible to ordinary folks, and hence a powerful tool for catechesis on the air. Because it is a personal medium, it allows listeners to multi-task and listen while at work, at play, or just passing the time. It can, in fact, deliver a personal message in an attentive environment. The program’s format is inspired by St. John Bosco’s concept of “learning from everything that happens.” Hence, its content is spiritual but without being “preachy.” The ultimate model is Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Ever

Radio Ministry

This “Monday habit” has attracted a good following. Among the diﬀerent programs of the station, owned and operated by the Society of the Divine Word, it was ranked among the Top 3 in the 2nd quarter of 2019. present with us in the daily flow of life, he guides and directs the ways of the world. Panag-ambitay has reached this far because of the support of many Salesians, Salesian Cooperators, lay mission partners, and young people. Many volunteer to keep the program going and many more promote and patronize it. Among the regular benefactors are the Archdiocesan Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Lyceum de San Sebastian in Cogon, Compostela, Wilkris Appliance Corporation, and Nightingale Nursing Services. St. John Bosco had an instinctive grasp of the value of this means of mass education in evangelizing culture and spreading patterns of life. We live his charism and contribute to make the Catholic faith more relevant in the lives of people and to sustain their hope amid the ups and downs of life. St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Fr. Bernard Nolasco, SDB, with Mr. Mark Ragos and Mr. Jeduard Fernandez

The voice now has a face BY IMELDA BENITEZ – DOMITITA Salesian Cooperator

“Ang langit mong inaasam, nasa kamay mo na.” For almost ten years now, listeners have heard these words on the air every Sunday as they tuned in to the weekly program, “Langit ““Langit sa Lupa” (LsL), of DZIQ 990 Radyo Inquirer. Ms. Teresa Tunay, former mainstay of LsL, penned these words as the program’s slogan. To date, LsL holds the record of station’s longest running program, accounting for its stable and ever growing combined listenership and viewership audiences on radio, television, FB livestream, and mobile apps. Although Langit sa Lupa ceased radio airing last August 25, 2019, because of 7:00PM sign-off of the radio station, it remains on Beam Channel Television and FB Live over the Inquirer 990 Television. Remaining true to its original concept, LsL offers discussion on circumstances of daily life, socio-political events, and natural disasters, eventually guiding the listeners through appropriate references to the Sunday Gospel. The discussion is geared towards bringing hope through the light of faith to today’s seemingly hopeless situation. It facilitates the enriching exchange of ideas and opinions on the air, through the sharing of live studio guests,

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Remaining true to its original concept, LsL offers discussion on circumstances of daily life, socio-political events, and natural disasters, eventually guiding the listeners through appropriate references to the Sunday Gospel.

Radio Ministry Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB and Br. Paul Dungca, SDB

Fr. Jerome Quinto, SDB and Ms. Meldy Benitez-Dometita

mia, SDB

d Fr. Juvelan Sa

an saclang, SDB Fr. Sylvester Ca

phone callers, SMS texters, as well as online comments, likes, views, and shares. It also serves as a platform for prayer requests, public service announcements, greetings, and live coverage of church events. Studio guests have come from all walks of life—professionals, students, parents, business people, NGO workers, pastoral workers and volunteers, religious men and women. The members of the Social Communications team of the Salesians of Don Bosco alternately anchor the program, in cooperation with Inquirer Radio Television, resulting in the convergence of traditional and new media. What began as a traditional radio broadcast in the AM band has evolved into internet livestreaming, YouTube, FB Live video, teleradyo, and television. This results to easier access in listening to or watching Langit sa Lupa. Amazingly, these changes have made the program more relevant and engaging, especially with young audiences. The increasing number of likes, views, and shares, as well as interesting comments, manifests the audience’s appreciation for the program. LsL has gone a long way since Fr. Noel Osial, SDB, then head of the Salesian Commission on Social Communications, accepted the invitation of Inquirer

The increasing number of likes, views, and shares, as well as interesting comments, manifests the audience’s appreciation for the program. Radio owner, Mr. Paul Prieto, in August 2010. Currently, it is broadcast live every Sunday night from 7:00PM to 8:30PM on YouTube Inquirer 990 Television and any Beam Channel on TV Plus and Sky Cable. Videos of completed episodes can also be shared and watched on the Langit sa Lupa Facebook page. The transition has been made from the simple voice behind the radio broadcast to live camera exposure on television. The voice now has a face! This has certainly been a grace from God. Just as encouraging for those in the communication apostolate are the consistent feedback from listeners who have been enlightened and entertained. Indeed, the thought of communicating the best message of God’s love to everyone cannot but inspire. These are the present partners who anchor every Sunday. Fr. Sylvester Casaclang, SDB, and Fr. Juvelan Samia, SDB, (1st Sunday); Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB, and Br. Paul Dungca, SDB, (2nd Sunday); Fr. Jerome Quinto, SDB, and Ms. Meldy Benitez-Dometita, (3rd Sunday); Fr. Bernard Nolasco, SDB, with Mr. Mark Ragos and Mr. Jeduard Fernandez, (4th Sunday); Fr. Bernard and Ms. Meldy, (If there is a 5th Sunday in a particular month.) St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Genius

DWBL 1242

BY ARMIE VIDAD Genius On-Air started May 8, 2015. This was the year Pope Francis visited the country. The radio program discusses topics with which anybody of any age can relate. Dreams, having goals, homework, love life—these are but some on the list. It is an almost “no-holds barred” kind of talk show; everything except cursing and being negative. The most important segment of the program, and the most awaited, is the “Good Night” talk of our Kalakbay and Katoto, Father Chito Dimaranan, SDB. Father Chito does not only summarize. He reminds us how life is real and simple, and relates what was discussed to faith and spirituality. He strikes at the most valuable contribution we can give to each other and the world—kindness and love. There are no special formulas in each episode. Anyone who sits with the gang and joins in the discussion is welcome to laugh, express an opinion, listen, and hear what others have to say. But one simple requirement stands-out. Everyone who joins the discussion should be real, as real as one can be. Genuis On-Air aims to be authentic and true, just as any listener or viewer who tunes in to the frequency. Indeed, there were episodes when hosts and guests (and listeners as well) shed a tear or two because the topics pulled on their heartstrings.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

There are no special formulas in each episode. Anyone who sits with the gang and joins in the discussion is welcome to laugh, express an opinion, listen, and hear what others have to say.

On-Air

Radio Ministry

2kHz AM

We, the hosts, have become more confident, sharing insights on different issues, gaining more friends, understanding more deeply uniqueness and diversity, and when needed, standing out in the crowd. We have learned these skills and attributes through experience. We have formed bonds and friendships with one another, becoming a family in time. Thanks to social media, our program, in all its spontaneity, is reaching a wider audience. In fact, we have reached different provinces in the country and different places in the globe! We get feedback from viewers and listeners in the United States, Germany, Australia, Canada, and more! Today, Genius On-Air is on hiatus but past episodes are still replayed via YouTube and Facebook. In radio, there are no new episodes aired but the 7â&#x20AC;&#x201D;8PM time slot is still on DWBL 1242 AM. For inquiries, Genius On-Air can be contacted via Facebook at www.facebook.com/geniusonair or through email via geniusonair@gmail.com. St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Social Media Ministry If St. John Bosco is alive today, he will definitely be present in the social media in spreading the Good News of the Lord especially to the young people. Indeed, St. John Bosco is present in the social media around the world through his children either as individuals or as organized groups. In the Philippines, members of the Salesian Family of both the North and the South Provinces are not only present in social media but are influencers in their respective endeavors. Salesian priests like Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB, Fr. Toto Cerada, SDB, Fr. Duds Hila, SDB are social media evangelizers through their blogs, podcasts, and facebook pages. (See next column.) Their weekly and daily reflections on the Word of God have a sizable following. Many members of the Salesian Family are also into social media through their personal accounts where they also share timely inspirational messages and reflections about their journey of faith and about their vocation. The websites of the different members of the Salesian Family and the respective websites, facebook pages and other social media platforms of the different Salesian works are likewise contributing to the growing Salesian presence in the internet where individuals and other institutions can mutually interact. Through their presence in the social media, they are able to be within reach by many young people who are not directly involved in their actual youth ministry works in their respective settings. The radio programs Bisperas Sa Veritas, Langit Sa Lupa, and Panag-Ambitay are also present in the internet through their respective real time fb live and youtube channels. There, the internet viewers (who can be anywhere in the world) can interact with those who are anchoring the radio programs. Filipinos who are working in other countries benefit a lot from these radio programs inasmuch as these programs help them in their spiritual nourishment.

PUSONG KATOLIKO by Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB We are Pusong Katoliko We are a cyber community of young and dynamic Catholics who belong to the digital generation. https://www.facebook.com/PusongKatoliko/

PAN DE LA SEMANA by Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB Lending voice to God’s Word; giving faith to one’s life and life to one’s faith. Breaking the Bread of God’s Word every day, most especially Sunday. This page is about people standing up for their faith convictions and courageously sharing them in social media. It is also about young and old using cyberspace to lead others to cybergrace. It is about adults still growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and all about youth evangelizing youth. It is about experiencing Church in the digital gathering space that is the borderless world where digital migrants, digital natives, and digital dinosaurs can feel at home sharing in the One Faith, believing in the One Lord, One Baptism and One God and Father of all. https://www.facebook.com/PanDeLaSemana/

ANG TOTOONG BALITA by Fr. Toto Cerada, SDB I commit myself to be a cyber evangelist! https://www.facebook.com/fadstotoceradasdb/

KILITI NG DIYOS By Fr. Duds Hila, SDB Alam ng Diyos ang ating kiliti! Kung minsan kikilitiin N’ya tayo sa paraang di natin inaasahan. Ang mga pagninilay ditto ay pinamagatan kong “kiliti ng Diyos.” Nakakatuwa… nakakatawag pansin…nakapagpapabago ng isip. Ganyan naman talaga ang kapangyarihan ng Kanyang Salita… tatamaan ka! Kung minsan masakit ngunit madaling tanggapin sapagkat may halo namang…kiliti. http://kiliti-ng-diyos.blogspot.com/

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

GOOD CHRISTIANS

and

Upright Citizens

After the meeting of the World Council of the Salesian Family in Turin last May, I decided to propose for the Strenna of 2020 a theme that, in pair-form, embodies the essence of our Salesian education. We received it from St. John Bosco himself: to help our boys, girls, and young people to be “good Christians and upright citizens.” Today, we need to deepen more and more our identity as evangelizers and educators of the faith. There is a growing fragility, and sometimes inability, in being apostles and missionaries of the young. At the same time, there is the risk of not educating our young people to a strong sense of citizenship, social justice, and Gospel values. We need to enable them to interiorize, as a life program, service to others, commitment to life in society, personal honesty and an “allergy” to all types of corruption, sensitivity to the world of migrants, care for creation and the “common home” that has been given to us, and commitment to protect the defenseless, those who have no say, and who are rejected.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

I wonder. If we cannot educate the young in these values, what are we achieving? What evangelization in the name of Jesus are we carrying out? Therefore, this educative commitment is for us today an expression of the words of Jesus: “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) This is and will continue to be St. John Bosco’s true “politics of the Our Father.” What do we mean by “politics of the Our Father” in St. John Bosco? The reference to St. John Bosco is so direct and on one of the most sensitive themes in his history “within” the social, political, and ecclesial context in which he lived. Hence, I think it is important to pay attention to what our sources say on this subject. It is necessary to have a clear idea of what involvement in the “polis” (Greek for city-state, body of people) of his time was like for St. John Bosco: his great “ayes” and his most firm “noes,” which certainly cannot be transferred unchanged in our context. This year’s Strenna allows us to reconstruct how St. John Bosco thought and what his way of doing and acting was among the young, with the intention of preparing them for the society in which they found themselves. It was a society subject to spinning changes, in the midst of the industrial revolution where poverty reached extreme levels for many. There was immense social and economic inequality, the emergence of the phenomenon of begging, the abandonment of “migrant” children—all these in 19th century Italy. 1. We start from the Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco. He used the expression “politics of the Our Father” when he met Pope Pius IX in 1867. The Pope asked him with a smile: “With what politics would you get away from so many diﬃculties?” St. John Bosco replied: “My politics is the same as that of Your Holiness. It is the politics of the Our Father. In the Our Father we beg every day that the kingdom of the heavenly Father come on earth, that is, that it be extended more and

more, that it be more and more felt, more and more alive, more and more powerful and glorious. Adveniat regnum tuum! This is what matters most.” (BM VIII, 259—260) 2. This conviction that we must understand in depth and in all its meaning (as we will do in the development of the text of Strenna) is also illumined by other thoughts of St. John Bosco. “We do not really do politics with our work: we respect the established authorities; we observe the laws to be observed; we pay taxes, and we keep going, asking only that they let us do good to the poor youth and save souls. If we wish, we also do politics, but in a way that does no harm but rather is to the advantage of every government. Politics is defined as the science and art of governing well the state. Now the work of the Oratory in Italy, France, Spain, America, and in all countries where it has already settled and is eﬀective, especially in helping the neediest youth, tends to reduce the number of rascals and vagabonds. It tends to lessen the number of petty criminals and thieves, to empty prisons, in a word, to form good citizens, who far from bothering the public authorities will instead be their support to maintain order, tranquility, and peace in society. This is our politics. This is only what we have dealt with so far. This is what we will deal with in the future. And it is precisely this method, which has allowed St. John Bosco to do good first to you, and henceforward to many other young people of all ages and countries.” [G. Bosco, Parlata agli ex allievi, in ISS, Fonti Salesiane. 1. Don Bosco e la sua opera. Raccolta antologica, LAS, Roma 2014, 106-107.] 3. It is this same “politics” that urged St. John Bosco to give effective responses to difficult situations, both old and new, for the good of children and the young.

GOOD CHRISTIANS

Living in the faith of the Lord and with the guidance of the Spirit There is a passage from the letter to the Ephesians that expresses the beauty and greatness of the love to which we are called, a horizon that must never fail, whatever the context to which we are sent. Nothing can take away the dignity and divine greatness that lies within human life and stands before it as its destiny. The fact that it is St. Paul who says this, he who had before him a world still all pagan, makes these words even more encouraging: “For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14—19) St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Living in the posture of listening to God who speaks to us. Living what is announced. Feeling the need to evangelize and offer the first proclamation and catechesis. “The Salesian Society began with a simple catechism.” [MB IX, 61] We go back to our origins and our roots. From St. John Bosco, we learned the evangelizing passion to bring every child, every young person, to an encounter with Jesus. That is why we can never stop being evangelizers of the youth, knowing “that evangelization aims at a process of growth which entails taking seriously each person and God’s plan for his or her life.” [Evangelii Gaudium, 160] Our being educators and evangelizers of young people demands above all that we, from personal experience, can announce to young people with words, gestures, and actions that God loves them, “that for him, you have worth; you are not insignificant. You are important to him.” [Christus vivit, 115] True Christians and educators today with the Salesian spirituality Today, we emphasize the spirituality of daily life, discovering God in our day-to-day situations. Moreover, we live the Salesian spirituality that creates the atmosphere of friendship between educator and youth to bring about personal growth. In the tradition of St. Francis of Sales, growing in faith, even with the help of a guide, will not be possible if there is no true friendship, that is, communication and mutual influence. This is the friendship that comes to be truly spiritual. The relationship between Salesian educator and young people must be marked by “the greatest cordiality,” because “familiarity brings love” and love brings confidence. This is what opens hearts and young people reveal everything without fear..., because they are certain that they are loved. [cf. A. Giraudo 154, quoting G. Bosco, Due lettere da Roma, 10 maggio 1884, in P. Braido (de), Don Bosco educatore, cit. 378—384.]

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

Good Christians in the challenge of non-Christian environments Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, SDB, our confrere who was held prisoner in Yemen for 557 days, attests how his spiritual interiority and faith kept him “healthy in mind and spirit” in an extreme human situation. There he gave testimony, in silence but with his life. In non-Christian environments, we are able to live a dialogue and testimony that are prophetic. Good Christians in the challenge of post-believing or postChristian environments Perhaps no charismatic family in the Church is more involved with such a vast number of people, the majority of whom are young, who are not Christian because they belong to other faiths or are no longer believers. But we take the challenge for it is, above all, a precious gift that the Church and the world ask of us and that we have to offer the Church. This puts us on a missionary path unique in its potential for witness and evangelization. The Church asks us not only to take steps but above all to be forerunners in the Church on this front, where the whole future of young people is played out. A faith lived together in a movement out of ourselves The spiritual dimension of all Salesian ministry must be lived and presented adequately and without dichotomies. We have so much to empty ourselves of and commit ourselves to so as to see and live our fatherhood in the world with others. We are witnesses to human brotherhood, which is the evangelical reason for treating others, of whatever age, race, culture, and religion, in the awareness of being children of the same God. To call and treat others as brothers and sisters is to recognize God as Father, and to recognize God as Father means to see the others as brothers and sisters. In this synthesis, we identify as the basis of Christian spirituality the commitment to make the world a place of encounter with God and to make the encounter with him an

ourselves with those who enter our doors. For this reason, a great cry from young people is that we go out to face the “real” problems that they have: the meaning of life, the lack of opportunities, training, employment.

opportunity to build a better world. Pope Francis helps us in this when he states: “When an encounter with God is called an ‘ecstasy,’ it is because it takes us out of ourselves, lifts us up, and overwhelms us with God’s love and beauty. Yet we can also experience ecstasy when we recognize in others their hidden beauty, their dignity, and their grandeur as images of God and children of the Father. The Holy Spirit wants to make us come out of ourselves, to embrace others with love, and to seek their good. That is why it is always better to live the faith together and to show our love by living in community and sharing with other young people our affection, our time, our faith and our troubles. The Church offers many different possibilities for living our faith in community, for everything is easier when we do it together.” [Christus Vivit, 164] This is a real invitation to live with ever greater intensity the ecclesiology of communion, where the gift that all of us are and have in our state of life is discovered and valued to the utmost. This unfolds only when the gift is “given” to others, put at the service, in an outward movement that begins first of all by reaching out to the closest ones.

HONEST CITIZENS

The youth waiting for us in the “house called life” The expectations of the youth are more and more pressing and dramatic if we look at them with a broad perspective. Surely, we can say that the youth population in the world has never been so numerous as it is today, and proportionately has never been so “poor and needy” as it is today, in terms of number and perhaps even of living conditions. There remains, nevertheless, the most delicate and precious portion of society, as St. John Bosco defined it. So, it is a very open field for the Salesian Family, but you must help us look at it. I believe that there is a risk in various Salesian quarters of remaining comfortably within our walls, contenting

To educate ourselves and our young people in citizenship and social commitment As the documents of the Synod on the Youth reveal, the youth are becoming prophets of a justice and a citizenship that goes beyond the states to which they belong. There is a justice greater than what our national juridical systems and governments express. There is a citizenship of the world, as a common home and the home of the future, which undoubtedly belongs more to the new generations than to ours. We should educate ourselves to face with courage this demanding vision of justice (cf. Laudato si’, Evangelii Gaudium) that aims at sustainable development (the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, the various global compacts, in particular the recent one on migration that some nations shamefully did not sign). We should also make ourselves heard against the more short-sighted visions focused on narrower interests. Note the ecological sensitivity of the young and the closed stand of many governments on these issues. Today there is a lack of credible leaders in the world. We cannot but question our educational processes. To educate ourselves and our young people in political commitment and service Here I believe there is so much ground to recover, as Church, as Salesian Congregation, and as Salesian Family. Although this is an appeal that returns in a more or less strong form in all the documents (from synods to general chapters), the social doctrine of the Church, which is like the “magna carta” of this commitment, is a little “Cinderella” of our educative-pastoral action. There are young people in our houses as well as young men and women religious of our Salesian Family who wonder if the ultimate goal of our works should really be the “production” of graduates with the best qualifications for a very competitive society, without ever questioning the socioeconomic model that lies behind all this. It is also the point where we feel more a divergence from St. John Bosco’s approach. Precisely in order to be faithful to his spirit today, we must use expressions almost opposite to his. The Our Father asks us to teach young people, not only as individuals, but as a group, to become more the protagonists of the common good, even in the explicitly administrative and political field. We must understand very well what we mean by political commitment and service and why a Christian cannot back down. It will be a “long battle,” especially with us, consecrated men and women, who have not grown up with this mentality. But this is the cry of the world and of the young people of today. One shining light is the reality of volunteer work, as a gradual and pedagogical path for greater commitment to the transformation of society. St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

To educate ourselves and our young people in honesty and to keep ourselves free from corruption The potential of the Salesian Family in this field is truly enormous, as is the reality of the Salesian cooperators and past-pupils in the “world,” and their presence in politics and in sectors of influence. We are called forcefully to be internally coherent, especially in our relationships with the laity. It will also be an opportunity to take steps in creating or making more visible a culture of social ethics. Sensitive and co-responsible in a world on the move and of migration Young migrants were the first beneficiaries of St. John Bosco’s Oratory. The majority of the migrants today— Never before so numerous! —is made up of young people. Is not this a direct appeal to the Salesian Family, which is the most widespread in all continents? Should we not become specialists in this field, just as we invest in higher education in technology or philosophy? If we are not the ones to “create culture” in this open front of human life and allow it to expand more and more in the future, who will be the ones? Who in the Church must be more prophetic on this front? The Carthusians, perhaps? It seems to me that it is not madness to think of our Salesian Youth Movement as a movement for young people on the move. Taking care of the common house as the young people ask of us (Laudato Sí, 13) The commitment to the common house, as envisioned in Laudato sí, is not an extra commitment. It is a horizon that questions the whole of our culture, faith, lifestyle, mission, education, and evangelization. There is not much to invent because in this (both in ecology and in the rights of minors) the direction to follow was already traced clearly by the Magisterium of the Church a long time ago and is now strongly traced out by Pope Francis. How do we let ourselves to be converted? Moreover, integral ecology speaks to us of an integral educative proposal, in human and spiritual values. In the defense of human rights and especially the rights of minors The purpose for which we have been raised up by the Holy Spirit as a Salesian Family of St. John Bosco is to give our whole life to minors, to the youth, to the boys and girls of the world, giving priority above all to the most defenseless, most needy, most fragile, poorest. For this reason, we must be experts in the defense of all human rights, especially the rights of minors, and ask for forgiveness to the point of tears when we have not done so. We cannot be accomplices of any abuse, whether “of power, economic, conscientious, sexual,” as defined by the Synod on Youth.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

WITH THE HELP OF MARY, OUR MOTHER

The presence of Mary in St. John Bosco’s educational system has a fundamental importance that we cannot overlook or neglect. He presented her to his children as Immaculate, as the simple and gracious woman who joyfully lived the project that God had for her. He also presented her as the Help of Christians, a loving Mother, anxious that all her sons and daughters could fully live the dream that God had for each of them. In the perspective of an education that helps boys, girls, and young people, and all of us as educators and evangelizers of the Salesian Family, Mary’s presence has a dimension that is not only devotional, but also “political.” She is the Mother who helps her sons and daughters to live fully their commitment to God and to the created world. This is the “politics of the Our Father.” May our Mother, the Help of Christians, intercede for all of us. Rev. Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB Rector Major

SALESIAN WORLD NE

tes 2020 China Province Dedica the Martyrs of ry sa er iv n n A e th to NG , SD B BY FR. CA RLO S CH EU

of China, released a 0, Fr. Joseph Ng, SDB, Provincial 202 r Yea New the For 0. 202 7, bration of Sts. Versiglia and Hong Kong, China, January ls for the 90th anniversary cele goa and s tion tiva mo the ring brate the 90th anniversary YouTube video message, sha 2020, our Congregation will cele “In 0. 193 25, ry rua Feb on ed ir contribution to our Salesian Caravario who were martyr Caravario. We commemorate the listo Cal and ia sigl Ver s ysiu ivities for our Salesian protoof the martyrdom of Sts. Alo shall have celebrations and act We . CIN e, vinc pro our to lar rtyrdom from these two saints Congregation and in particu e we can learn the spirit of ma hop I 0. 202 13, ber em Nov to martyrs from February 25 Some we are going to organize this. through the different activities ), ody blo t (no ’ a ‘white martyrdom people say that religious life is ite ‘wh in es ry Christian participat but I would rather say that eve ss. into practice and carry our cro pel Gos martyrdom,’ if we put the of s del mo the r mold ourselves afte Dear brothers and sisters, let us listo Caravario.” Saints Aloysius Versiglia and Cal of our two proto-martyrs was phy gra The best available bio ido Bosio, Martiri in Cina, LDC. published in Italian in 1985 (Gu book is available on Boscolink. Italy). An English version of the ed. thanks to our South Asia Hopefully it will soon be publish ns for the 2020 celebrations Salesians. One of the contributio the launching of the Chinese of two Salesians Martyrs will be version.

Opening of Fr. John Lee Mem

orial Hall in Busan

BY FR. SAM UEL YOO MYO NGIL, SDB

Seoul, South Korea, January 14, 2020. The memorial hall honoring Fr. John Lee, SDB, was opened in his hometown of Busan metropolitan city last January 14, 2020. Fr. John Lee Tae-Seok, a Korean priest nicknamed “the Schweitzer of Sudan,” died of cancer in January 2010 . He had worked tirelessly for nine years as a doctor treati ng leprosy, a teacher, and a musician within the Salesian mission in warravaged southern Sudan. More than 300 people attended the even t, including Gong Han-soo (Chief of the Busan Seo-gu Office), Oh Geodon (Mayor of Busan), Bishop Joseph Son Sam-seok of Busan, and Fr Timothy Choi Won-cheol, SDB, Prov incial of Korea. The memorial hall is a four-story building. It consists of a cafe on the ground floor, a program room and office on the second, a memorial hall on the third, and a multi-purpose hall on the fourth floor. On display in the memorial hall are sixty relics (some as three-dimensional portray Fr. Lee’s holy life in Sudan. Other dioramas) that artifacts are being prepared for future exhi bitions. The memorial hall is managed by Salesian Society of South Korea. “We will the carry out various activities to treasure and spread the three elements of Fr. John’s spiri Service, Joy, and Sharing.” t: The “Cafe Friends” on the first floor will be for disadvantaged youth. Profits will help young people who dream of becoming chefs one day.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

SALESIAN WORLD NE

Don Bosco Media in Mongolia BY FR. SIMON LEE, SDB

Darkhan, Mongolia, January 2020. A total of 141 titles of books were printed by Don Bosco Media. Two ﬁlms on St. John Bosco and eight short animated Bible stories were subtitled in Mongolian. Presently, we are working on the Old Testament in Mongolian for the YouTube channel (15 parts), the global climate crisis, and two short movies for human development. Among our publications are catechetical books (45 titles) and books for general education (90 titles) that are distributed in the rural schools, free of charge. We also have books on the Salesian Preventive System in Mongolian (six titles) for the use of the Salesian Family. All our publications are translations from Korean (95%), English (3%), and Italian (2%) sources. We dream of future Mongolian publications. We have one full-time translator from Korean to Mongolian, another three staﬀ members in charge of the English translations (Strenna, Letters of the Rector Major), and an expert in graphic PC design and digital video editing (YouTube). Personally, I am very glad to launch the Bible hand-writing movement within the Mongolia Catholic

Church and the translation of the deutero-canonical books (Maccabees, Judith, Tobit, Wisdom, Daniel, Baruch). I also feel greatly fulﬁlled by our consistent commitment to distribute free publications in the poor village schools (magazine for youth and children’s science textbooks). Our publishing ministry faces several challenges. In the context of the nomadic culture of Mongolia, the “documentation” or “storage” culture has not yet developed and people usually do not read books. But now, a great jump from the nomadic culture toward the informatics (digital) culture is happening. One example is the rapid transformation of YouTube contents. Moreover, we are hampered by economic constraints because we still need to get recognition as a publishing house. Our activities are simply “home based” within our Mongolian socio-religious context. We import the materials for printing. Hence, our production costs are rather high. Yet most of our books are distributed within the Catholic community free of charge or at minimal prices.

ppoints New New Rochelle A ns Director io s is M n ia s le a S HY DE , SD B BY FR . M AR K

extremely January 2020. “With A, US e, ell ch Ro w Ne e last time ite to you today for th wr I s, on oti em d xe mi ven ian Missions. After ele as director of the Sales e Mission th at ce rvi se ing years of rd wa re d an d ate dic de obedience, lfill my priestly vow of fu w no st mu I , ce Offi Saint John new role as pastor of my o int on iti ns tra d an Louisiana. lie parishes in Harvey, sa Ro int Sa d an sco Bo I feel d a lot together and We have accomplishe e fruits of to have witnessed th ed leg ivi pr bly rka ma re , so many hip. Around the world ds en fri al loy ry ve ur yo s out of have pulled themselve s ilie fam d an n re ild ch s because tter lives for themselve be ilt bu d an rty ve po belief with uld and backed that you believed they co baton over to prayers. As I pass the your generosity and Augustine creative colleague, Fr. my very capable and mpassion and am confident your co (“Gus”) Baek, SDB, I erence for to make a positive diff support will continue many years to come.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

I have known g Fr. Gus for a very lon nor ho e th time, and had him e sid ng of serving alo and Girls at the Salesian Boys years ago. me so n Club in Bosto art and a true he y ar on He has a missi no doubt he will business sense. I have heights ions to even greater lead the Salesian Miss in need around the to even more people and bring new hope world. chelle, I will ger reside in New Ro Although I will no lon e exceptional work pport, and pray for th with Fr. Gus continue to watch, su h around the world, lis mp co ac lps he on this organizati opportunity to have very grateful for the ed Salesian at the helm. I am so in part of the extend ma re er ev for ll wi d served you, an Missions family. ays!” May God bless you alw

SALESIAN FAMILY NEWS

MINISTERING FAMILIES y r t s i n i m h t u o y with the

By Fr. Marc Will Lim, SDB and Madz Nayve

Paranaque City, Philippines. “Paradigm shift.” These two words provide a good framework to understand fully the recently concluded summit entitled, “Tiwala Lang! Youth: Missionaries of Communion to their Families.” The event was held last January 18, 2020, at the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, Paranaque City. It was organized by the Parish Animation Sector in cooperation with the Family Ministry. Fr. Marc Will R. Lim, SDB, and Mr. John Villafania, Family Ministry Member for Schools and Youth emceed the whole-day program. Four speakers took the floor: Mr. Erick Sanchez, Mr. Gary Faustino, Mr. Nony Amous, and Ms. Leean Rosal with Fr. Ian Rosal, SDB. They presented the young people as missionaries of communion to their families from the sociological, psychological, theological, and pastoral perspectives. Fr. Armand Robleza, SDB, gave a synthesis of all the talks before the afternoon workshop that was facilitated by Ms. Vivien Reyes. The summit assembled together Salesians, parish workers, school administrators, lay volunteers, and young people from the different settings of the Salesian Philippine North Province. It moved toward three objectives: 1. To acknowledge that the youth are missionaries of communion to their families; 2. To be enthusiastic about how the youth build communion with their families; and 3. To engage and build networks of collaboration because of this mission.

TIWALA LANG! CHANGE IS INEVITABLE.

Fr. Abel de Ocampo, SDB, Family Ministry Chairperson, opened the event, emphasizing that there would be no effective youth ministry without family ministry. For many, this meant a leap of faith in front of inevitable change. St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

The first speaker, Mr. Erick Sanchez, a theology professor and radio broadcaster, situated everyone in the common context of the present situation of our young people. Talking on “Youth Today Challenged by the Disconnected World,” he centered on the apparent connectedness brought upon by the Internet and its opposite in reality. The second speaker, Mr. Faustino, a counselor in a renowned university, discussed a recent study of the three main concerns of young people today, namely: identity, relationships, and purpose. His talk revolved around parenting after the image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, as described in the Gospel of St. John. He also identified the many dysfunctionalities of the parenting nowadays, in particular, the so-called “helicopter parenting.” Finally, he suggested particular protocols when dealing with the young, emphasizing the importance of listening, recognizing, accepting, and entrusting. The third speaker, Mr. Nony Amous, handled the doctrinal explanation of the theology of the family, and showed how God himself underwent the particular state of the family. He started off with a brief explanation of the theology of the incarnation, connecting it with marriage, which he described as “embryonic of God’s presence.” He also cited the recent excavations by the Nazareth Archeological Society, which revealed that the house of the Holy Family was actually a courtyard house. Hence, the importance of communion, and the outstanding obedience of Jesus to his parents who formed him for his future mission. The fourth speaker, Ms. Lee-an Rosal, was joined by his cousin Fr. Ian Rosal, SDB. The tandem gave an inspiring real-life testimony of ministry in the family, enriching the summit with their personal experiences.

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

YAAAZ! WE CAN DO IT TOO!

In the afternoon workshop, the participants discussed the morning input in small groups. Guided by the points for reflection, every group came up with resolutions, as if to say: “We can do it too.” From these, a final statement was formulated. It was then presented during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist that was presided over by Fr. Gerardo Martin, FIN Provincial. Here is the final statement of the summit. TIWALA LANG STATEMENT We empower the youth to be missionaries of communion in their families. Thus: We prioritize family time. We create open communication. We nourish our rootedness in God. We provide formative experiences. These were the settings present for the summit: Don Bosco-Batulao, National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, Parañaque, St. John Bosco Parish-Makati , St. John Bosco Parish and Center for Young Workers-Sta. Rosa, San Ildefonso Parish-Makati, Mary, Help of Christians, ParishMayapa, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish-Naga, St. John Bosco Parish-Tondo, Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati, Don Bosco Academy-Mabalacat, Don Bosco CollegeCanlubang, Don Bosco Technical Institute-Tarlac, St. Dominic Savio Parish-Mandaluyong. Representatives from the Salesian Sisters and the Commission on Youth Ministry were also present. The members of Peaceworks103 assisted in the logistics.

SALESIAN FAMILY NEWS

Last December 4, 2019, ﬁve Filipino confreres and one Salesian bishop celebrated their 40th anniversary of Salesian Priesthood at the St. John Bosco Parish, Makati City. Bishop Precioso Cantillas, SDB, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Maasin, Leyte was the main celebrant during the 6:00 pm Thanksgiving Mass. With him were: Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB, Fr. Ramoncito Padilla, SDB, Fr. Marcelino Benabaye, SDB, Fr. Daniel Elemia, SDB, and Fr. Pedro Porio, SDB. The group was ordained in December 7, 1979. They were eight Salesian deacons then when they were ordained by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin of Manila. Not being able to join this thanksgiving Mass was Fr. Andrew Wong, SDB, the Provincial Superior of the Indonesia Vice Province who was preaching the Spiritual Retreat of the Salesians in Jakarta. Their other companion was the late Fr. Firmo Chito Dajao, SDB, who passed away last 2001. (from L-R) Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB, Fr. Ramoncito Padilla, SDB, Fr. Pedro Porio, SDB, Bishop Precioso Cantillas, SDB, DD, Fr. Marcelino Benabaye, SDB, Fr. Daniel Elemia, SDB

uracion, pines — Fr. Randy Fig Cebu City, the Philip and entitled, “Faith Stories SDB launches his book of y 24, 2020, the feast Struggles” last Januar rine of Sh n sa ce the Archdio St. Francis of Sales, at Cebu City. Our Lady of Lourdes,

Fr. Joriz Foz Calsa, SDB, STh L, the Commission on Youth Ministry head of the Philipp ines South Province (FIS) launched his book entitled , “Better than Life: A Youth Ministry based on the CARE Framework,” at the Don Bo sco School of Theology, Parana que City last January 25, 202 0. This is the ﬁrst youth ministr y book published by DBST through Don Bosco Press. It will serve as a reference boo k for those who wish to dwell into the reality of youth ministr y.

Gone to the Father FR. RAMON R. PACADA, SDB

Born: February 28, 1963 First Religious Profession: April 01, 1989 Priestly Ordination: December 08, 1996 Died: December 29, 2019 St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020

St. John Bosco Today | March-June 2020