31 Gennaio 2012

Don Bosco: a gift to the Church and to civil Society

Don Bosco spent his life for the young dedicating himself  “to his last breath” to the human and Christian salvation of the youngsters he met. His gaze which was already fixed outside the boundaries of the Valdocco district and the city of Turin, still today continues to meet those of many youngsters.

In over 130 counties  the Salesians and other groups of the Salesian Family are engaged in education, in evangelisation,  in safeguarding and promoting human rights, especially those of the smallest and most disadvantaged.- Don Bosco’s inheritance – expressed through the Preventive System – still demonstrates its effectiveness even today. This can be seen in the hundreds of current projects in every part of the world  and the thousands of youngsters and young people who, often with their families, are benefiting every day from these human, Christian and social projects.

Affectionately,
Fr. Nicholas

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28 Dicembre 2011

Nigeria - In pursuit of reconciliation, justice and peace

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22 Dicembre 2011

HAPPY CHRISTMAS from FR NICHOLAS

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22 Dicembre 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Don Bosco Community ONITSHA

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29 Giugno 2011

WOMEN IN AFRICA

African woman is starting point to speak about the problems of this immense continent, to confront on the possible solutions and to know le different realities which are involved with Africa.

The Seminar planned in Genoa from 30 June to 2 of July 2011, is organized by the group  SPeRA, that unites 20 Voluntary Associations of Liguria, all of them Onlus, which work in different nations of Africa to help the poorest and most in need developing countries.

The aim of the Seminar are:

-  To give voice to all the programmes that are related with the woman in Africa;

-  To favour collaboration and synergy between different lay and religious associations;

-  To make the Institutions and People known of the numerous organization committed for Africa;

-  To easy the recruitment of the new human and economic resources.

The women in Africa are the drawing nucleus of the society of this country, being the basic element for the agriculture, the education, the economy etc. Without making noisy, without claiming for rights they are the ones who every day reproduce the miracle of the surviving. However, the woman  continuous commitment is inserted in a traditional culture that considers the male model of the man, first as the father and after as the husband, as dominant. This contradiction carves in the whole of the society.  In this environment the woman pass from protagonist to victim and this characteristic made that this year the woman should be proposed for the Nobel price.

Onitsha Community will participate to the seminar producing the project: “EDUCATION AND FORMATION: KEYS TO DEVELOPMENT”. The goal is to create an ODL (Open & Distance Learning) Project to promote vocational training (Office Management and New Technologies) of students who attend the course of the Company Secretary at Don Bosco Technical School. So the project proposes a training program aimed at acquiring and/or developing of professional skills to meet new demands of the job market.

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31 Maggio 2011

AFRICA DAY & SALESIANS

On 25th May ”Africa Day” is celebrated world-wide commemorating the institution in 1963 of the ”Organisation of African Unity” (OAU), which in 2002 became the present African Union. Starting 120 years ago, the Salesians of Don Bosco are now working in 41 countries in this large continent.

With 53 countries Africa has almost a thousand million inhabitants. Rich in natural resourses including oil and diamonds, this continent, considered the cradle of human civilisation is the poorest in the world and life expectation is less than 50 years.

One of the problems which afflicts Africa is the fact that little is said about it in the globalised world of communication. According to common public opinion Africa is the continent of wars, poverty sickness. The media take an interest in Africa only in the case of conflicts, emergencies, political corruption, humanitarian disasters. There is a great shortage of information regarding the many positive aspects of this continent, to which needs to be added a certain new colonialism, which while for the present leaving political and social management free, is subjecting many African nations to economic bondage.

The Salesians of Don Bosco believe that Africa is full of hope and has a great future. Present in 41 of the 53 countries in Africa, the Sons of Don Bosco have been engaged since 1891, the year when the first foundation was made at Orán (Algeria), in the human and Christian development of the young, especially those most in need, such as child soldiers and street children . The commitment of the Salesians to evangelisation following the example handed down by Don Bosco is linked to human development and to the safeguarding of human rights. There are many works and projects in the areas of schooling, health education and the prevention of aids, of the promotion of women, of safeguarding the environment and cultural development.

In many countries in the world ”Africa Day” is celebrated with events and exhibitions aimed at making better known the cultural, artistic and historical heritage of the continent. (*)

Affectionately,
Fr. Nicholas

(*) ANS - Published 25/05/2011

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30 Aprile 2011

"DEAR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF NIGERIA..."

The Beatification of Pope John Paul II, on Sunday May 1st, is a great event for all the christian thru-ought the world. We want to remember Pope Carl Wojtyla from that side of him which we feel very near to us: his missionary pilgrimage to every part of the world.  In a special way the two pastoral trips to Onitsha: the first on 1982 (in the quarter of Awada where he celebrate in front of one million people it has been build a Church dedicated to the saints John and Paul, familiarly people use to call the church ‘Iba Pope’ – the trone of the Pope. The first Salesians arrived in Onitsha made their pastoral experience in this same Parish from 1989 to 1991)  and the second on 1998 (The Pope already old and seek wanted to come and proclaim Fr Michel Cyprian Iwene Tansi, the first Blessed of Nigeria). We still remember what he told to young people of Nigeria here in Onitsha on 13th February 1982:

“Youth is the age of hope, of promise, of enthusiasm, of plans and of ideals. Youth does not want to give up in the face of difficulties. Youth does not want to put up with the shortcomings of the status quo. Youth believes in a better world and is determined to do something to help bring it about.”

“You must be known for your generosity and openness to others. You must be grateful to your parents. You will love them, respect them, help them, and obey them. You will accept your teachers, respect them and follow their instructions. You will be known for self-sacrifice, diligence at your studies or work, and efficiency in your assigned duties. You will sacrifice yourselves in Catholic lay apostolate organizations in order to bear witness to Christ. You must be a dedicated laity zealously pursuing your mission to communicate Christ.”

“As young people, you should constantly strive to identify the ills of your society, such as bribery and corruption, the embezzlement of government or company funds, extravagant and unproductive spending, the parade of wealth, neglect of the poor and the friendless, nepotism, tribalism, political antagonism, denial of the rights of the poor, abortion, contraception and other evils which also ravage other countries.”

“A good Christian is a good citizen. You must love your country, obey its laws, respect your leaders, and pay your taxes. You are called to take your due part in political, social, economic and cultural affairs. When you are eligible, you should vote and be voted for in political elections.”

“I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the national programme of youth service. I commend the young men and women who generously give of themselves for this period of service outside their state of origin, forging new bonds of friendship and strengthening fraternal solidarity and national unity. ”

“In all things, you will radiate joy, peace, brotherliness, optimism and the hope of a better Nigeria. This is your contribution as Christians; this is what you learn from the Lord. This is the challenge of his word, which must take root in your lives and bear fruit. ”

“Young people of Nigeria, Christ died for you, to redeem you. Christ loves you and I love you too! ”

Affectionately Fr. Nicholas

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5 Aprile 2011

HOLY EASTER 2011

Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover”.    

                                                                  Lk 22,8

24^th April 2011

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28 Marzo 2011

YOU WERE BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, IN WHICH YOU WERE ALSO RAISED WITH HIM

March 2011 Post has some passages from the Message of Benedict XVI for Lent 2011. Journeying together and with the same goals is giving an opportunity to transform us from inside and to strength the brotherhood.

[…]
During the entire Lenten period, the Church offers us God’s Word with particular abundance. By meditating and internalizing the Word in order to live it every day, we learn a precious and irreplaceable form of prayer; by attentively listening to God, who continues to speak to our hearts, we nourish the itinerary of faith initiated on the day of our Baptism. Prayer also allows us to gain a new concept of time: without the perspective of eternity and transcendence, in fact, time simply directs our steps towards a horizon without a future. Instead, when we pray, we find time for God, to understand that his “words will not pass away” (cf. Mk 13: 31), to enter into that intimate communion with Him “that no one shall take from you” (Jn 16: 22), opening us to the hope that does not disappoint, eternal life.

In synthesis, the Lenten journey, in which we are invited to contemplate the Mystery of the Cross, is meant to reproduce within us “the pattern of his death” (Ph 3: 10), so as to effect a deep conversion in our lives; that we may be transformed by the action of the Holy Spirit, like St. Paul on the road to Damascus; that we may firmly orient our existence according to the will of God; that we may be freed of our egoism, overcoming the instinct to dominate others and opening us to the love of Christ. The Lenten period is a favorable time to recognize our weakness and to accept, through a sincere inventory of our life, the renewing Grace of the Sacrament of Penance, and walk resolutely towards Christ.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, through the personal encounter with our Redeemer and through fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the journey of conversion towards Easter leads us to rediscover our Baptism. This Lent, let us renew our acceptance of the Grace that God bestowed upon us at that moment, so that it may illuminate and guide all of our actions. What the Sacrament signifies and realizes, we are called to experience every day by following Christ in an ever more generous and authentic manner. In this our itinerary, let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, who generated the Word of God in faith and in the flesh, so that we may immerse ourselves – just as she did – in the death and resurrection of her Son Jesus, and possess eternal life. (*)

Fr. Nicholas

(*) From Message of his Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2011

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27 Febbraio 2011

SALESIAN MISSIONARY DAY 2011

The 2011 Missionary Salesian Day, has as its motto “Voluntaries to proclaim the Gospel”. It is a meaningful motto, purposely chosen for the Salesian Voluntary Organization.

“Every years hundreds of young volunteers, coming from our centres are sent out to undertake a demanding mission. In voluntary service we find the must authentic expression of the young sent to evangelise, we find a serious faith journey, a visible expression of Salesian youth spirituality.”
(Letter from Fr Pascual Chávez, Rector Major, 4th  April 2010)

Onitsha Salesian Community from its beginning received voluntaries (coming from the former Salesian Adriatic Province, now Circumscription Centre of Italy) for missionary experience in summer or guests who visit the community during the year.

The Salesian Missionary Day is a good opportunity to remember them as a bright witness. It can encourage the youths to grow in the salesian missionary voluntary service for the cause of the Gospel.

Affectionately Fr. Nicholas

ONITSHA VOLUNTARY EXPERIENCES                              

August 1990

Fr Giovanni Molinari, Sabrina Ferini, Claudia Morichetti, Lorenzo Angelini, Gianluca Giorgetti, Alessandra Angeletti, Mario Giampaoli

August 1991

Fr Giovanni Molinari, Mariela Calbè, Pierpaolo Fabbracci, Paola Borsari, Roberto Castiglione (International volunteer. Now he is salesian missionary to Ibadan)

9 September  -30 November 1991
Salesian Cooperator Luigi Zampini came to visit Onitsha Community

29 April-13 June 1992
Salesian Cooperators, Ezio and Pina Pepe, came to visit Onitsha Community

February 1994
Fr Arnaldo Scaglioni came to visit Onitsha Community for the first time.

August 1995

Marcello Molignoni came to visit Onitsha Community

August 1996

Michele Maiani and Enrica Taddei came to visit Onitsha Community

February 1999

Fabrizio Ortensi came to visit Onitsha Community

August 1999

Fr Ezio Rossi, Andrea Panella, Patrizia Iavicoli, Samuele Cognini, Pasquale Granata, Gaetano Candeloro, Silvia Gentili, Sara Bacaloni

August 2000
Fr Ezio Rossi,  Riccardo Stracci, Francesco Pastore, Vittoria Scopa, M. Grazia Spadaccini, Marta Carassai

March-April 2001

Fr Nicola Cupaiolo, Claudio Ripa, Luigina Ciarapica Porfiri, Giuseppe Ciarapica (Fr Nicholas’ sister and broche) came to visit Onitsha Community

July-August 2001

Francesca Spreca, Alessandro Ciarapica (Fr Nicholas’ brother) and Daniele Moretti came to visit Onitsha Community

August-September 2001

Fr Ezio Rossi, Anna Maria Cacciamani, Pina Mangifesta, Luigi Gileno, Giacomo Baruffa, Simone Galgani

August 2003

Fr Carlo Russo, Antonio Valori, B. Maria Casadio, Mattia Pagliaroni

August 2004

Fr Ezio Rossi, Marco Scortichini, Luca Di Martino 

August 2004

Stefano and Beatrice Della Ceca (Fr Nicholas’ nephew and his wife), during their honeymoon, and e Marco Scortichini came to visit Onitsha Community

18-28 January 2005

Fr Arnaldo Scaglioni, Teresa Tolozzi, Luigi and Giuseppina Castiglione (Fr Roberto’s parents)‏, Mariano Roscini came to visit Onitsha Community

August 2005

Fr Fabrizio Di Loreto, Federica Claudio, Santo Cicco, Nadia Mariani, Marco Reginelli, Diego Pinciaroli, Laura Marchetti, Alessandra Lupone, Massimiliano Musso

January 2006

Fr Leo Colcera, Fr Giovanni Molinari, Christian Di Nardo, Fabio Molinari (Fr Giovanni’s nephew), Antenisca Cerella came to visit Onitsha Community

July 2006-July 2008

Laura Marchetti, international volunteer

August 2008

Fr Simone Calvano, Maria Letizia Micaletti,  Diego D’Alberto, Sabrina Pace,  Flavia Colamarino,  Davide Piergallini,  Irene Ritucci, Pasquale Granata,  Pina Pepe


July 2009
Laura Marchetti, Simone Ceciliani

August 2009

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