SDB_AFW Newsletter October Edition

AFW Newsletter October November 2010 • • • • •

Retreat Rector Major New Multi-Media Studio News From Rome Getting to know our Novices Nigeria @ 50

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

Johannesburg South Africa

7-13/11/2010

Renewed in the Lord Provincials, Rectors of communities and provincial councillors travelled to Johannesburg from all corners of Africa to participate in the retreat preached by the Rector Major, Fr. Paschal Chavez SDB. Our own AFW Province was well represented with 13 confreres attending. The retreat for the English speakers of the African Region took place at don Bosco Youth Centre in Randvaal, Johannesburg. The Salesian Province of Blessed Michael Rua (AFM) hosted the event.

Fr Chaves shared a moringing reflection at morning prayers, based mainly on Mary, and then later in the day gave two conferences. During the Good Night he answered questions which came from the confreres themselves. Fr Francois Fufour, the Provincial of AFM was the director of the retreat and also in-charge of the logisitics, together with Fr. Robert Gore and Fr John Coleman.

The programme of the retreat was well orgainised and allowed enough time for personal reflection and prayer. There was also some activities in common, such as the sports in the afternoon. To mark the feast of blessed Artemide Zatti, which fell on the 13th of November, the last day of the retreat, we as a Province organized a quiz on Bl Zatti; it proved to be a most enjoyable and animated activity.

During the confrerence the Rector Major illustrated his points with good and clear examples from everyday Salesian life; he also shared a lot of information on the Congregation and the Salesian World in general.

As was the comment of many, the retreat was a wonderful occasion to be renewed in the spirtual life, and also in the knowledge and love of the congregation.

Following the retreat, the opportunity was taken by the AFW Province to have a Rectors’ meeting in which various points were discussed and up-coming activites planned. Once this was over, the Provincial and his council held a two day Council meeting. At the end an outing and visit to the Apartheid Museum was a well deserved and appropriate ending to our visit to South Africa.

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

SOCIAL COMUMUNICATION INAURGURATION OF MULTI-MEDIA STUDIO IN AFW VICE-PROVINCE

Reaching Every Heart And Home.

Accra Ghana 22 November 2010 - Feast of

we are called to communicate

Jesus Christ to the young

St Cecilia: Don Filiberto Gonzalez Plasencia sdb, General Councillor for Social Communication blessed and inaugurated the Multi-media Studio during his first visit to the AFW Vice Province.

The event took place in the Provincial House located in Ashaiman Ghana, in the presence of the Provincial Fr George Crisafulli and the social communication team headed by Fr Peter Wojnarowski. Present in the team was Michał Kròl, a Polish volunteer who, together with S Roman Sikon, had built up the studio as a project funded by SEPP, Bonn Germany, and is now animating and coordinating the studio for the year.

Also present for the occasion were 11 practical trainees of the AFW vice-province and staff of the multi-media studio and as well as lay collaborators. During the inauguration, the young Salesians in Practical Training recorded a beautiful hymn “My Soul Glorifies the Lord” in honour of our lady Mary Help of Christians. After the inauguration, Fr Filiberto held a workshop with them where he taught them the five major points in social communication namely: Youth Ministry, Animation, Formation, Information and Production. He emphasised that Jesus Christ is the centre of our social communication.

“As educators of young people”, Fr Filiberto Gonzales Plasencia said, “we are called to communicate Jesus Christ to the young people and the society at large”.

The purpose of this multi-media studio, in line with the wish of the congregation to carry out the message of Christ to all, and the inauguration of the AFW studio was a very significant event in the life of the Vice-province. It plans to offer this structure for evangelization and education of young people, especially those who are still searching for meaning in life and longing for spiritual growth through the production of multi-media tools so as to make Christ reach every heart and home.

AFW.ART43

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

Extract from Pope’s message for Social Communication Day In my Message last year, I encouraged leaders in the world of communications to promote a culture of respect for the dignity and value of the human person. This is one of the ways in which the Church is called to exercise a “diaconia of culture” on today’s “digital continent”. With the Gospels in our hands and in our hearts, we must reaffirm the need to continue preparing ways that lead to the Word of God, while being at the same time constantly attentive to those who continue to seek; indeed, we should encourage their seeking as a first step of evangelization. A pastoral presence in the world of digital communications, precisely because it brings us into contact with the followers of other religions, non-believers and people of every culture, requires sensitivity to those who do not believe, the disheartened and those who have a deep, unarticulated desire for enduring truth and the absolute. Just as the prophet Isaiah envisioned a house of prayer for all peoples (cf. Is 56:7), can we not see the web as also offering a space – like the “Court of the Gentiles” of the Temple of Jerusalem – for those who have not yet come to know God? The development of the new technologies and the larger digital world represents a great resource for humanity as a whole and for every individual, and it can act as a stimulus to encounter and dialogue.

But this development likewise represents a great opportunity for believers. No door can or should be closed to those who, in the name of the risen Christ, are committed to drawing near to others. To priests in particular the new media offer ever new and far-reaching pastoral possibilities, encouraging them to embody the universality of the Church’s mission, to build a vast and real fellowship, and to testify in today’s world to the new life which comes from hearing the Gospel of Jesus, the eternal Son who came among us for our salvation. At the same time, priests must always bear in mind that the ultimate fruitfulness of their ministry comes from Christ himself, encountered and listened to in prayer; proclaimed in preaching and lived witness; and known, loved and celebrated in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation. .. my dear brother …, then, I renew the invitation to make astute use of the unique possibilities offered by modern communications. May the Lord make all of you enthusiastic heralds of the Gospel in the new “agorà” which the current media are opening up.

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

International Congress on the Study of Don Rua at Pisana, Rome.

Learning and new discoveries they say is for life. I reconfirmed this with my recent experience of the International Congress on the Study of Don Rua, the first successor of Don Bosco our founder. This took place at Salesianum-Via Della Pisana, Rome from 28th – 31st October 2010. At this Congress, it dawned on me of how little I knew Don Rua endowed with great ability to experience and sustain his rich interior life centred on Christ and nourished by the Salesian spirituality that overflowed from the one whom he succeeded. His great exemplary life and motto: “Action speaks louder than words” animated the first generation of the Salesian family fostering continuation of the Salesian charism.

The congress was more of a historical approach to his contribution towards the florishment of the Salesian family through his human and spiritual disposition. It was not only a moment of Hagiography but a moment of critical study on his uniqueness being by the side of Don Bosco and taking over from him. It was an eye-opener for the participants as well as appetizer to seek more in order to rediscover the hidden virtues of Don Rua still relevant in our present situation among confreres, the young, Salesian family and the society at large.

The Rector Major Don Pascual Chavez as well as Rev. Mother Ivona of the FMA were present at the congress giving good example as they followed the activies of the congress with attention. It was a congress with numerous participants, two from each province. I was very happy to meet Fr. Michael Smith who brought the sunshine and enthusiasm of AFW to La Pisana. Even though the congress was an intensive one with 27 interventions and input of research made on the life of Don Rua it was also a moment to meet and interact with many Salesians of whom I have met in different and special moments of my formation and you can imagine the sharing. The constant presence of Rev. Mother Ivona gave me the opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude to God for the new presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in our province.

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

The collection, redaction and feedback of this study on Don Rua (can be found in the Salesian website) will be finalized by ACSSA (Association of Custodians of Salesian history) animated by Don Francesco Motto and will eventually reach our communities.

A treasureable and practical source of enrichment indeed.

Though the congress ended on the 31st of October many of the participants profited the occasion to be around the Rector Major the next day at St. Peter’s Basilica in concelebration of the Solemnity of All Saints presided by himself amidst a great number of Salesians and youths in active participation. It was followed by the “Corsa dei Santi” (marathon race for the saints) at St. Peter’s Square.

My joy was truly renewed at the Congress feeling myself belonging to a family enriched by those who have preceded us especially Don Rua, our model as educators, leaders, workers with sound relationship with youths, confreres, Salesian family, Church authorities and the society.

Fr. Akubueze Chuks

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

Greetings from Lubumbashi.

We arrived safely on the 1st of October. We were welcomed by the Vice Rector of the Theologate Community, Rev. Fr MALUNGU Lambert sdb at the airport. We were highly welcomed in the community. The following day we had a 15 minute tour with the Dean of Students, Rev Fr VANDE KERKHOVE Jean-Luc to areas where Salesians are present as well as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

We were officially welcomed on the 16 of October alongside the other first year Theologians. The program was a kind of initiation into the field of Theology with appropriate figurative symbols even though we are still to learn the language before we begin our studies. At the moment we are very much occupied with the French course. We have two competent teachers and spend twenty hours with them every week both morning and afternoon to facilitate the learning process. It is a new experience completely and we are doing well in it though not without challenges.

In the Theologate community there are thirty four Salesians of which twenty seven are students from three provinces; twenty one are from the Province here (AFC), two are from AFO Province, four from Mozambique Province and as you know, two are from our great AFW. There are seven formators of which four are from Congo DR and three are expatriates. We call the community “Tower of Babel� but there is no confusion as it was among the people of that time as we read it in the Scripture. The community is very welcoming, a good place for the specific formation to Salesian Priesthood, but we have to learn and adapt to everything in a new way except the Salesian values which I believe is the same everywhere you go.

I would like to express our gratitude to the Province in general, as well as our former communities for the effort and the opportunity given to us to have our formation in this part of the world. We pray and will work hard to use this opportunity very well so as to get prepared for the future need of our province. Thanks and God bless.

John Bankole

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

We are fine here, and adjusting to the weather, language and culture, and of course, the Salesian mission over here.

With about twenty four Salesian presences in DR Congo (about fourteen in Lubumbashi) and over two hundred Salesians, the work of God continues to progress following the footsteps of Don Bosco.

This is just to give you short news rather than nothing at all. Please be patient with me for limited information for I have to rush this write-up due to assignments at hand. I will have to write again.

Let me say something about 1OO Years of the Salesian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The event of today should not pass unnoticed, because it is all Africa and indeed the world especially the Salesian world who celebrates today. As you know, in 2011 AFC will celebrate the centenary of the arrival of the first Salesian missionaries in the D. R. Congo. In line with this great event, the formal opening of the centenary year has been celebrated on this day of 14 November, 2010. Like every good son of Don Bosco to follow Christ who sends us again to go to the ends of the earth, this day was opened by a solemn Eucharist presided over by His Excellency Monsignor Gaston RUVEZI (Salesians of Don Bosco and the Bishop of Sakania-Kipushi). He was accompanied by his vicar general and many other Salesians of the AFC Province. During the Mass the sermon was preached by Father Joachim TSHIBANGU, the provincial of the AFC. In his sermon, he pointed out that to be a missionary is to teach the people to make peace. First, we must get converted because we are still in a culture of war, and we must learn to bring peace instead of harming ourselves.

Then the work of the Church and that of the sons of Don Bosco, should be to teach the people how to remain peaceful. This peace will bring us salvation.

It is the responsibility of every baptized Christian to confess that Jesus is the Son of God who came to save us. And so, the father provincial appeals to all young people to engage in the Salesian religious life

to make “disciples of all nations�.

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Gaston expressed his gratitude to the AFC province.

He also sent greetings from the Rector Major whom he was with few hours ago. Father Provincial also appreciated the collaboration of all other missionaries who worked for the establishment of the Salesian mission and all who continue this mission today. In his final remarks, the challenges and achievements of the Salesian mission during this period were not left out.

All the Salesians of the Province of Central Africa express their thanks in advance for your cooperation in this new beginning of the Announcement of the Good News.

Samuel Agudosi

CONGO

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR IN ASHAIMAN, GHANA A good preparation Don Bosco Technical Institute Ashaiman had a good preparation to start the new academic year 20102011 with renewed enthusiasm. The Staff Annual Workshop which began on 15th September through 18th was animated by Fr Richard Ebejer SDB, Mr. Isaac Eze, from Ghana Educational Service, and Fr Blamoh, the principal. Fr Richard centered his theme on ‘Education and Preventive System in Salesian Schools’. On the other hand Mr. Isaac Eze took us on the issue of ‘Classroom management—activities before and after lessons and discipline in the school. He also updates us on GES, NVTI and COTVET as regards to technical and vocational school. According to him, a teacher should be a counselor and a guide (father or mother of the students).

Sr. I. Mary Jacintha F.M.A

The official opening of the new academic year After a week of initiation and orientation, DBTI Ashaiman opens the new academic year with Holy Mass on Monday 27 September 2010, the feast of St Vincent de Paul. The Mass, which was presided

by Rev. Fr Jerry Manoney, started at 8:30 am. In his homily, Fr Jerry urges us to cast our net deep into the sea, like the apostles, for hug fish. About three hundred students and staff members were present. We highly thank God for bring us to new academic year and we pray that His grace will always be with us to make this year a special year.

Ephraim C. Onwuzuru S.D.B

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

DON BOSCO YOUTH CENTRE ODUMASI REPORT OF ACTIVITIES There have been a lot of programmes going on within the Sunyani community of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The month of September was one of the busiest months with a lot of programmes organized.

FIRST AID. The Parish Youth Council (P.Y.C) of Mary Help of Christians organized First Aid training with the help of our polish volunteers. The training was for all societies in the parish. The aim was to train participants to have knowledge about how to give first aid in critical moments of a victim.

VOLLEYBALL CLINIC The youth centre also organized a volleyball clinic for members of the centre. This was a great event that attracted more than 30 young boys from the ages of 17 to 25. Due to the intense training they went through, they have formed a strong volleyball team which will represent the parish in all activities involving volleyball. Again, our polish volunteers were present to impart some of their knowledge to the youth. All the youth are now committed to the team and are willing to make sacrifices for the team by contributing some little money to run the team financially.

WEBSITE FOR THE YOUTH CENTRE. The Don Bosco youth centre Odumasi is now on the internet and also on Facebook. This was done with the help of the youth director and an animator. The aim was to create a forum for the youth of the centre where they could share ideas rather than always wasting their time on the internet.

Within two weeks of creation, the site already has 18 members from all over the world. The website also provides users the chance to read the latest news in the centre, watch some of the pictures from programmes and contribute to our forums. www.donboscoyouthcentreodumasi.webs.com

CLASSES DURING ORATORY The oratory organizes extra classes during weekdays for the young children from 3pm to 4pm before they go out to play. This is done to help them solve their homework and to teach them some new things. There are about 40 children who participate in the event daily and it’s a wonderful event to watch.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE The Parish Youth Council (P.Y.C) organized a one day leadership training course for executives of the various societies in the parish on Saturday 16th October, 2010. The theme for the course was “Leadership from Christ’s view”. The facilitator for the course was Rev. Fr. Mark Anthony. The course attracted various leaders from the youth societies in the parish and outstations.

All information about the youth centre can now be found on the website. www.donboscoyouthcentreodumasi.webs.com

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

REPORT OF NIGERIA @ 50 CELEBRATIONS AT DON BOSCO YOUTH CENTRE, ONDO. The Golden Jubilee of our great country Nigeria was a great celebration nationwide as people in their locality celebrated this occasion in a special way. In line with this Don Bosco Youth Centre Ondo also celebrated the golden jubilee in a positive way by organizing programs which were of advantage and positive influence to the young people.

On the 30th of September, a Quiz and Spelling competition based on Nigerian History, together with a cultural display and a march-past, was organized for secondary school students in the town and prizes were presented to each school based on their performances by Fr Karikunnel while awards were given to winners in various activities. Foods and drinks were given to students for lunch in the course of the program.Among the schools are: Dele International Secondary School, St Louis Sec School, St James Sec School, Unity Girls Secondary school and others.

Furthermore, on the 1st of October, another program tagged: Stand up for Nigeria took place to grace the occasion. The program which was opened by the Rector of the community, Fr Michael Karikunnel who gave some words of encouragement to the youngsters present. Youth groups and individuals presented dances, cultural display, comedy, singing which were all based on the situation of the country precisely; corruption and all other forms of crimes, and the way out to mention butfew; optimism, faithfulness, honesty, love, selfless giving, change of attitude, truthfulness, patriotism, justice and strength.

A talk was presented by an invited guest, Mr Itunu on the topic: Nigeria @ 50 - Glories and Ridicules of the Nation. Indicating the civil war and many other events till Nigeria gained her independence in 1960 and thereafter. In his conclusion he urged the youths to stand up for the nation and plan ahead for themselves and take a stand against corruption which is the basic challenge of the country.

A powerpoint presentation on the topic: Stand up for Nigeria was presented by Br Chiemeka Utazi encouraging the youths to have a positive mind for themselves, the country and with the hope that things will get better. He also showed some of the country’s hero and heroines with a whole lot of encouraging words.

The program was concluded with free and entertainment and lot of fun. In the absence of the Youth director, Salesian Student Joseph who was the brain behind the two programmes gave the closing remark followed by the closing prayer by the Rector of the community, Fr Michael Karrikunnel.

We hope that the program is going to change the minds and hearts of our youths towards themselves and others to a better one.

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

The Community “Zeffirino Namuncurà” Academic year 2010-2011

Fr. Riccardo writes Dear Confreres,

The community and academic year 2010-2011 in “Zeffirino Namuncurà” – Gerini has started and it is in full swing.

It is very evident that the hallmark and the richness of our community is its being multicultural. This is at the same time the greatest challenge.

Chronicle: The year started on 19th September with the arrival of all the confreres.

The first week was spent in preparing the house, settling down, , sitting for Italian Language Exam (... for those in need of it!) and completing the registration at the UPS. On 24th Septembr I was officially installed as the Rector of the community.

The second week was given to the Community Planning: we took 3 days out in a nearby Salesian House and worked out the Community Formation Project 2010-2011. The planning ended with an excursion of cultural interest to the ancient roman town of Ostia.

The third week we plunged headlong in full time academic activities and the Official Inauguration of the Academic Year took place on 12th October 2010.

Remarks So far things are moving very smoothly. I am amazed at the wonderful richness brought in by the variety of cultures, the commitment of everybody to take up his personal responsibility in the process of formation and building up a community where everybody feels at home, everybody shares his talents. I am amazed and enriched by the vitality of these our confreres, the present and the future of their respective provinces.

The Community is divided into 4 Groups, each one animating a Dimension of the Formative Community: Fraternity, Liturgy, Culture and Apostolate.

The Community is lively, the Liturgy is well prepared and celebrated, activities are fostered to integrate the variety of cultures and the Apostolate is carried on at week-end in Salesian and non-salesian Parishes/ youth Centres.

Last week we had the very traditional salesian “castagnata”, a moment of fraternity not only to reminisce the past, but to re-live and re-creat the “spirit of Valdocco”.

As I am writing the “Don Rua” football tournament among the 4 groups is going on.

To say the least, I am blessed and enriched. But this is not enough to make me forget AFW and you all!

I wish you a Happy Feast of the Immaculate.

Fr Riccardo, sdb.

Gerini – Roma

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

CELEBRATING OUR UNITY IN DIVERSITY Every person is born in a particular cultural context that continues to be a driving force in his life. This force is so evident that it affects a person consciously or unconsciously in his existential experience of the world.

And It could be a window through which the person perceives the world around him. Cultural effect is a fact, so we should face it and never try to bury it in our different expressions (Faith or Social/political), because it comes out in our languages, our habits, our convictions and approach to life, considering a wide spectrum.

In our efforts to live meaningfully in this world and taking into consideration the “transcendental life”, Our cultural practices sometimes give us satisfactory or unsatisfactory responses. And so it is recommendable to celebrate culture and at the same time to make meaningful reflections about it.

In relation to these, our community for theological students, (Gerini-Roma) celebrates every year two feasts in recognitions of Eastern and Western cultures. This is not just a mere celebration, rather it is a time to appreciate, reflect and present our different cultural heritage in light of the Gospel, as a real force of illumination for all cultures.

From the 23rd to 26th November 2010, all of the confreres of the community share this great moment with intensity of fraternal love and appreciation for our diversity. This time happened to be a memorable opportunity for the confreres from Asia and Africa. The FEAST OF the ORIENTAL, as we call it, featured in the picture countries like: INDIA, VIETNAM, UGANDA, NIGERIA, TANZANIA, LESOTHO, ANGOLA, BURUNDI, RWANDA AND LIBERIA. The community celebrated with these confreres from the above named countries in recognition of our unity in diversity and shared gift “Christian Faith” or Salesian calling.

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

These days afforded the community to have a foretaste of the splendor and uniqueness in our different cultures. Highlights were also thrown on our faith journey, difficult moments as a consequence of been faithful to the message of the Gospel but which radiate ultimately in the joy that we all search for “Jesus”. Special features were made from Vietnam, a nation of great hope despite of different forms of suppressions. This was a real illuminating experience for us all; which included also games and other joyful interactions and interventions.

It is undisputable that culture offers us a lot for life but it is also true that there is no perfect culture. That is every culture has its limit, thus we are called to be opened to new or different cultures considering the positive aspects. Therefore we profited this occasion to stress the importance of using our Christian values proposed by the Gospel as a perfect yard stick for us. And so the theme of this celebration was “Orientati verso Cristo, nostra Unica Cultura”. In other words, conforming ourselves to Christ the one who perfects our culture.

More flavors were added to celebration when our director, Fr. Riccardo sdb identified fully with the Africans wearing his Nigerian attires. Nigeria and Liberia were highly represented with dances and songs and other presentations for the first time since this tradition started here a Gerini. Above all, it was an occasion of thanksgiving and appreciations of each confrere as a gift to the Church and humanity. Moreover, as we prepare ourselves to enter into active Salesian Pastoral ministry, we were encouraged by the chief celebrant during the Holy Mass to make a real cultural integration in our theological studies. So that our studies do not remain a scientific pursue but faith deepening experience that will be able to confront every culture.

First Sunday of Advent, Damian sdb and Albert sdb - Gerini, Roma

Theology Community In Gerini- Rome Statistics: The Salesian community is made up of 39 confreres:

• Year 4 2

• Year 3 12

• Year 2 10

• Year 1 10

• Formators 5 The students come from 19 countries:

•

• • •

Africa: Uganda) Asia-Oceania: Latin America Europe

9 (Angola, Burundi, Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, Ruanda, Sudafrica, Tanzania, 11 (India, Vietnam) 7 (Bolivia, Brasile, Haiti, Perù) 7 (Belgio, Italia, Polonia, Portogallo)

They belong to 22 Provinces/Vice-Provinces:

• Africa-Madagascar Region:

• Latin America-South Cone:

• East Asia - Oceania:

• South Asia:

• North Europe:

• West Europe:

• Interamerica Region:

• Italy – Midle East Region:

6 (AET AFE AFW AFM AGL ANG) 1 (BMA)

1 (VIE)

4 (IND ING INH INN)

2 ( PLN PLS)

2 (FRB POR)

3 (BOL HAI PER)

3 (ICC ICP IME)

[10 sdb] [3 sdb] [4 sdb] [6 sdb [2 sdb] [2 sdb] [4 sdb] [3 sdb]

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

3RD LEADERSHIP PROVINCIAL COURSE 28TH AUGUST - 6TH SEPTEMBER 2010 Selected Youth leaders from all the communities in the province trained in workshops in Ashaiman from the 28th August to 6th September 2010. The training was to empower young leaders to start peer counseling groups in the communities. The workshop on peer counseling was delivered by Rev. Sis. Mercy Deku SSpS. This was followed by an intensive training in news writing and photography. The media session of the workshop was animated by Rev. Roman Sikon and Michael Krol both from Poland.

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

Getting to know our Novices This year we have been blessed with 17 new novices who have started their novitiate on the 8th of September. in this newsletter we seek to introduce them to the whole province here are the first four.

Ofosu Boadi Isaac

I was born on the 29th May 1989 to Mr. and Mrs. Boadi in Odumase Brong Ahafo, in the Sunyani West District of Ghana. I came into contact with the Salesian through the oratory in Odumase with Brother Michael Schmitz. My going to the oratory became fully part of me through the, sweets, biscuits and games which was organize in the center at the age of nine. I later joined the Knight of the Blessed Sacrament and a member of Michael Magone Society in Mary Help of Christians Parish, Odumase.

After completing my Senior High Education, I made it my intention to become a Salesian, because of what attracted me most, the style of life of the Salesians dedicated to the young people and the interest they take in the oratory .I took the first step by meeting some Salesians in the Parish who later directed me to Fr.Chuks ,to whom I made known my desire to become a Salesian .He guided me to know more about Salesian life.

My desire to stay with Don Bosco fully helps me in my Aspirantate and in my Pre-novitiate in Ondo, Nigeria in October, 2009.In September 2010, I was readmitted to the novitiate by Fr. Crisafulli Jorge, Provincial of the AFW Vice Province and his council members .With the spirit of God, St Don Bosco and my Formators, i am growing more deeply with Don Bosco’s Spirituality.

Adoma Bernard

I was born in to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ayisah on the 1st of November 2010.I originated from Odumase, West district of Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo region in Ghana. I developed the interest of going to the oratory through Bro. Michael Shmitz. I found my self in Knight and Ladies of the Blessed Sacrament and the Soceity of Michael Magone. I completed Junior Secondary School in Odumase Saint Peters and Pauls J.S.S. in the year 2003. I completed my secondary school education in the year 2006.

I freely and willingly decided to join the Salesians of Don Bosco in other serve God by been with the young people that is where I find my joy. Through the help of Fr Ambruce Anene and Fr Chuks Akubueze I decided to be an aspirant of the Salesian congregation because I wanted to share in the dream of saint Don Bosco by been the signs and bearers of Gods love to the young people especially those most in need.

In January 2007 I was invited for Come and See experience in Emmaus Center. I joined the prenovitiate in this same year in the month of September. In the prenovitiate I had the great opportunity and privilege of increasing my knowledge about the Salesian life in the apostolate to youth and of gaining a deeper knowledge of Don Bosco and his love for the young. After the Prenovitiate I decided to go for two years of further studies in computer technology (which entails hardware, software and networking) in Don Bosco Vocational Technical Institute in Odumase (Ghana). In the month of September I was accepted as a novice in the Salesian congregation. I accepted the invitation in order to deepen my life of prayer and awareness of Salesian spirituality. I give all glory and praise to God for bringing me to this far.

AFW Newsletter October - November 2010

Anokye Anthony Addai.

I was born in Kumasi, Ghana, on 24th July 1987. I am a brother to 6 sisters and a brother. I had both my primary and secondary education in Kumasi and in June 2006 completed my secondary school education. I came into contact with the Salesian through a friend of mine and started my ‘come and see’/Aspirantate in 2009 at Sunyani. After I continued to the Prenovitiate that same year in Ondo. My two years experience with the Salesian in working for the young people has increased my motivation to stay with Don Bosco and therefore wished to be guided in this year of the novitiate.

Akinyele Sunday Cyril

I was born on 20th April, 1984 to Late Mr. and Mrs. CHARLSE AKINYELE in Ondo Town, Ondo State in the Eastern part of Nigeria, though there are not together. I grew up in Salesian environment, when my mother took me to my grandmother for sheltering; I attended part of my primary school in Alilak nursery and primary school and attended secondary school in All Saints grammar school Ondo respectively.

I came into contact with the Salesians at my teens Stage when I use to go to oratory at the age of 5yrs. Meeting a lot of Salesians, Br. John, Fr. Lionel, Fr. Italo etc…, my going to the oratory became fully part of me through the chocolate and biscuits that this Salesians used to give me.

After some years in the oratory, I joined some groups in the oratory like MICHAEL MAGONE, ALTER SERVERS, CULTURAL GROUP and CHOIR etc, then I became an animator and I used to take part in the Youth activities of the oratory then I fall in Love with Don Bosco’s Educative system (PREVENTIVE SYSTEM) and meeting Fr. Cyril, Fr.Silvio and Fr. Richard who encourages me to deepen my understanding in Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTC) for 3yrs experience in Automobile Craft Practice in Ondo After getting my Diploma in computer in FUTA for one year course, infact it was not really easy to go through this process especially the only man in the house, but Thanks be to God and the Salasians who helped me in financial and educative aspect of it.

My desire to Stay with Don Bosco fully and continue his Mission, of which I am one of the beneficiaries, remained in my heart and with the help of the Salesian Community in ondo I started my pre-novitiate in 2009.

Now here I am in the Novitiate taking a closer look at Don Bosco with the help of my brothers and Formators.

PROVINCIAL HOUSE

SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO P.O BOX 776 - ASHAIMAN GHANA.

Director: Editor: Graphics Designer: E-Mail: Collaborators: Design:

Fr George Criseful Fr Richard Ebejer Ama Achiaa Gysi Amoah Afw.Zatti@Gmail.Com Francis Adzraku AFW-Art43-Studio