afw monthly newsletter

AFW Newsletter April – May 2011

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In the last general Chapter, the Rector Major urged us Salesians to

have a new Pentecost, and the feast of Pentecost we are celebrating

is surely the day to pray for this particular grace for us all especially in

AFW. During the novena of the Holy Spirit we had the Post Chapter

Assembly in Ghana; I was struck by the reflection used during prayers

which was a good night which Don Bosco gave on the 13th of May

1877, and which I would like to share with you. In it I noticed how

Don Bosco linked the feast of the Holy Spirit with discernment for

one’s vocation, not just for those who were already aspiring to

religious life, but for all the young people. In his message for this

Don Bosco

Good night 13.5.1887 “It is particularly during the novena of the Holy Spirit that I usually urge you to consider you vocation, for it is the best time to learn what the Lord asks of us. Put your mind to it, then, all of you, especially those who now wear the cassock… These need perseverance. Let them seriously consider their spiritual condition. During this novena let them reflect upon their conduct – what they must do or correct- and let them seek God’s grace to carry out their well pondered resolutions. The Lord will hear them. “Not only the clerics are to consider their vocation, but all students, especially the seniors, for theirs is a year of decision. Juniors too and even some lower classmen should begin to think about their future so as to assure themselves success in life. An early decision, based on good counseling, will help them end the year with a sense of content and self confidence. “Ask for this grace whole heartedly. The Lord will grant your request, and He will bless and strengthen your good resolve.”

Ghana Liberia Nigeria Sierra Leone

AFW

April - June 2011


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year’s Strenna, the Rector Major is challenging us to create a vocation culture within our schools,

oratories and youth centres. It is a Challenge which is made explicit in the invitation Come and See.

This is one of the key examples which Fr Roy has left us: that we as Salesians are to make explicit

that invitation which the Lord extends to the young. In this edition of the Newsletter we give tribute

to Fr Roy for what he has been in the life of the province. In his own personal vocational journey he

wanted to make something ‘worthwhile’ out of his life.

In the words of the Rector Major, Fr Roy lived his life as a vocation, and he sought that this basic

value that he himself lived, he tried to pass on to the young. The testimony of one young Salesian

confrere who owes his vocation to Fr Roy is indeed a most fitting tribute. To make this vocational

invitation explicit to the young is exactly what the Rector Major is urging us to do, especially during

this year.

Vocation Animation week in May has been a source of blessing in many of our communities, and

there were many initiatives undertaken with the young people. I was fortunate to be present for one

of them when at the Brothers’ Meeting held in Ibadan; the Hostel students had the opportunity to

ask so many questions of the Brothers about themselves and about vocation. Making our vocation

visible, as the Brothers did that day, is the first step to inspire the young so that they also make a

basic life commitment.

In our last Chapter, one of the explicit proposals was to have a missionary group in all of our

communities (AFW PC3 Evangelization Document 3.10.) The feast of Pentecost is an opportune

moment to remind ourselves for this is when the Church went out to preach the good news. But we

first have to disciples before we can be apostles. Let us promote groups ( Missionary Group, Friends

of Blessed Zatti, Alter servers) in which young people can experience a basic Christian community

and in which they can explore the call which God is making them in Life.

Fr George shares and discusses with young people of the hostel the meaning of a vocation.

Fr George at the Brothers’ Meeting reflecting with them on the significance of the Brother vocation..


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Homily at Memorial

Mass Ashaiman [extracts]

“Vocation is the name a person gives to his

life when it is perceived as a gift and a call.”

The Rector Major with this year‟s Strenna is

inviting us to see our life as a vocation by

reflecting on the words of Jesus „Come and See‟;

he is inviting us Salesians and members of the

Salesian Family to share our vocation story with

the young. And I think this is what Fr Roy would

love to do: to share his vocation story as a

Salesian with the young people gathered here;

and he would be particularly happy to be doing

this on the feast of Dominic Savio who

represents all youth.

The words of Pope Benedict XVI to young people

on the occasion of World Youth Day are very

appropriate:

[...] There is a moment, when we are

young, when each of us wonders: what

meaning does my life have? What

purpose and direction should I give to

it? This is a very important moment,

and it can worry us, perhaps for some

time. We start wondering about the

kind of work we should take up, the

kind of relationships we should

establish, the friendships we should

cultivate...

This is exactly what was happening in Fr

Roy‟s life; He returned home from the army

in October 1946. His Father had just died

Fr Roy Bernard Fosker was born on the 25

October 1922 in Ipswich Suffolk England and

was an Anglican by birth. He was received into

the Catholic Church on his 19th birthday, 25th

October 1941. After his mother died in April

1948, he went to Shrigley as a 'Son of Mary'

since he was a late vocation. He made his

novitiate at Beckford and was professed on 8th

September 1950. He volunteered for the

missions in Africa and on 31 January 1952, the

feast of Don Bosco, he arrived in Cape town

South Africa.

In 1956 he returned to Europe to do his

theological studies in Bollengo and

Benediktbeuern. He was ordained in Munich on

4th August 1960. He returned to Africa as

Headmaster in Daleside. In 1965 he was

asked to be Parish Priest in Lansdowne and

was parish priest in various parts of South

Africa and Swaziland until 1996 when he went

to Nairobi as confessor for the students of

theology. In 2001 he moved on to Gabon and

then Cameroon until 2004 when he joined the

AFW Province in west Africa, when he first

went to Nigeria and then to Ashaiman in

Ghana as Provincial Secretary. He continued in

this post until 2009. He was of invaluable help

to confreres in the Province and beyond with

his voluminous amount of proof-reading and

translations. He helped many young people

and confreres in their vocation or education,

many of whom appreciate him as a father and

benefactor. Last August he celebrated the

Golden Jubilee of his Ordination and the 60th

anniversary of his Salesian Profession. He had

a special love for Africa where he spent fifty

five years of his life. He never forgot his

humble roots and he had a very special love

for the virtue of poverty. He was always frugal

himself and lead a very simple lifestyle; he

tried to encourage others and to pass on his

love for this virtue.


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and he saw it his duty as the youngest son to look after his mother who was grievously

ill. She passed away in February 1948 and after some months of „hesitation and

misgivings‟ he made up his mind and committed himself to following his religious

vocation. He wrote in his letter: “I want to make

my life worthwhile. I have seen enough to

know that we must be wholeheartedly for

Christ or against Him. I can think of no greater

way of serving him than in winning souls for

Him. God has been good to me – now I want to

show my gratitude to Him. I have not much to

offer, but if you can use me, with God’s help I

will try to be a good Salesian.” (letter 14 May

1948)

So after applying he was sent to Shrigley as an

aspirant. He joined the 'Son of Mary' programme since at 23 years he was a late vocation. He made his novitiate

at Beckford where he professed as a Salesian on 8th

September 1950.

He was to make another big decision in his life which

would again require of him commitment and sacrifice: He volunteered for the missions in

Africa after the Provincial had made an appeal for volunteers and on 31 January 1952,

the feast of Don Bosco, he arrived in Cape town South Africa. He has been in Africa ever

since, except for a break of four years for his theological studies, which means that he

has been in Africa for 55 years! Indeed in his won words: Africa is my true home.

Again the Pope‟s own word‟s addressed to the young people apply to Fr Roy‟s own story.

I think that, to some extent, this urge to break out of the ordinary is present in

every generation. Part of being young is desiring something beyond everyday

life and a secure job, a yearning for something really truly greater. Is this simply an

empty dream that fades away as we become older? No! Men and women were

created for something great, for infinity. Nothing else will ever be enough. Saint

Augustine was right when he said “our hearts are restless till they find their rest in

you”. [...]

Fr Roy helped many young people in their schooling and education, many of whom

appreciate him as a father and benefactor. He also helped many confreres in their

vocation, some of whom he was instrumental in making the initial proposal to them:

Fr Roy celebrating 50

years of ordination and

60 years of Salesian Life. Roy when he

first became a Salesian.


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Maximus Okoro is a young practical trainee in Ondo. When he heard that Fr Roy had passed away he made it a point to be present at the funeral. This is the least he could to pay back for the most precious gift he had ever received. Here he explains why.

One evening, during his usual walk in the parish premises, Fr. Roy approached me and said: „Come with me, I have a present for

you!‟ So happy and eager to know what this present was all about, I rushed to his office. On entering his office, I was struck by his simplicity. I found only books and a calendar of our lady and Saint John Bosco on his table. He opened his desk and brought out an envelope which he presented to me. I opened it

immediately and discover

it was a translation of an extract of Don Bosco‟s life in English. I was overwhelmed with joy because all the books I

had read about Don Bosco were all written in French. Roy said to me: „Max read it carefully and come back to me for discussion and question!‟ From that day, we became good friends…

Whenever I visited him, he would tell me about his experience as a Salesian having worked in various countries in Africa. It was

really amazing listening to him.

One evening during our normal walk, Roy asked me a question: „Max, don‟t you think you would make a good Salesian?‟ This

question opened another chapter in my life. Although I was very young, I began thinking about it seriously. However, I was scared of my dad‟s reaction towards that because he had always wanted me to study Law. Nonetheless, with Roy‟s assistance I was able to tell my

dad…

Through the internet, he introduced me to Salesians in West Africa. I began

communicating with them: Fr Chuks, Fr

Ambrose and Fr Cyril, all students of theology in Tangaza College at that moment. He also introduced me to Fr Riccardo.

In the year 2004, I left Cameroun for Nigeria... Although, I didn‟t know much about the Salesian work in Nigeria, through the assistance of Roy I came in contact with Fr Silvio in Ondo and Fr Charles in Onitsha.

In 2005, I received a mail from Roy; I had been invited for 3 months aspirantate

programme in Ibadan, After which Fr Vincenzo Marone, SDB asked me to apply for the pre-novitiate programme in Ondo, Nigeria.

Roy explicitly

proposed to me the Salesian life. I trace my vocation to this great

meeting with him in Ebolowa, Cameroun. I describe this meeting as a providential one, a meeting through which Christ would unfold his

loving kindness to me. Roy to me, was a Father and Friend, a Salesian who was propelled by the „Loving Kindness of Saint Francis de Sales‟ and animated by the passion of „Da mihi animas, caetara tolle‟.

Definitely, Roy was never an angel. He

was a mortal being who was weak and fragile

like any other man. He had his own limitations as well. But one could sense a Salesian who

throughout his life time, created the awareness of a „vocational culture‟. He would spend long hours listening to my stories, hearing confessions, correcting my essays, etc. Through him, I learnt creative listening, I learnt

simplicity and humility.

For me, Roy went beyond the correction of papers. „He corrected my life‟, and helped me to understand a lot of things.

I trace my vocation to this

great meeting with him... I

describe this meeting as a

providential one, a meeting

through which Christ would

unfold his loving kindness to me.


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Fr Roy would come across to confreres as fatherly

and austere at the same time. He always gave you the impression that he had no time to waste, he was a man of few words, but was ever ready to listen to

somebody who wanted to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation or talk about his spiritual life. His

love for the community was evident, especially through the hard work and care that he put in whatever he did, particularly in keeping in order

community belongings. Fr Gianni Rolandi

Fidelity till the end

Purified by sickness and old age they remained serene following Christ steady and in a Salesian way.

Love for their follow confreres.

Not in a haste to judge and lay blames on the other confrere in order to feel themselves justified. (cioé …scaricare un mucchio di culpa sugli altri per sentirsi qualcuno).

Extreme care for their fellow confreres not only for those in Pakistan, but those very close by.

Patient and interested in understanding what a confrere is going through before any easy and handy fire fighter approach.

Deep friendship that is not exclusive. Trying to avoid amici particolare is not an excuse for living in superficiality, isolation and lonely, for ours is a family and not a group of intellectual experts of love. In them we see clearly that we are not business counterparts but confreres with a bond stronger to set us in motion and highly motivated. Fr Chuks

Prayer of Faith: We trust that beyond absence there is a presence. That beyond the pain there can be healing. That beyond the brokenness there can be wholeness. That beyond the anger there may be

peace. That beyond the hurting there may be forgiveness. That beyond the silence there may be the word. That beyond the word there may be understanding. That through understanding there is love. We Love Fr. Roy and we will miss you REST IN PEACE SUNG K. ROBERTSON


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Rev Fr Anthony Ekezie was ordained on the 21st May by Rt. Rev. Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha at the Holy Trinity

Cathedral. Concelebrating with the Archbishop was the Provincial Fr George Crisafulli.


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Each Salesian Vocation is a sign of God’s love for the young!

2 May 2011 Nairobi: Seven of our

AFW confrere received the ministry of Acolyte and six others the ministry of readers at the hands of Fr. Joseph the provincial of AFE, at Utume in Nairobi. It was a solemn ceremony with seven priests present.

13 May Rome: Damien and Albert

received the ministry of Lectorate from the Provincial Fr Joaquim D'Souza,

15 May Jerusalem: On the fourth

Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, Paul and Emmanuel received the ministry of Acolyte. Fr. Maurizio Spreafico the Provincial of MOR during his homily urged the students respectively to have a deep reverence for the Blessed Sacrament.

21 May Utume Nairobi: Deacon Peter Morba was ordained deacon together with six of his companions by Rt Rev. Bishop Angelo Moreschi SDB

2 July Yaoundé: Deacon Nicholas

Gerald Umoh will be ordained in the Basilica Mary Queen of the Apostles by Rt. Rev Victor Tonye Bakot, archbishop of Yaoundé.

Jerusalem

Rome

Utume - Nairobi


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St John Bosco was sent by God to reach out to young people; here in West

Africa we Salesians seek to continue Don Bosco’s work for the benefit of

deprived African youth and children, since the problems that the young

face today are even more urgent.

For this mission to continue and grow, Jesus continues to call generous

young people to dedicate their whole life to God for the benefit of poor

youth. Whether as a Priest or as a Brother, every Salesian works to bring

God's love to the young, just as Don Bosco did.

Yet there are many expenses involved in the formation of our young

Salesian confreres; it takes up to ten years of study and pastoral work for a

young Salesian Confrere to complete his formation and education before he

becomes a Salesian Priest or Salesian Brother.

"I always relied on God's providence and the generosity of so many

benefactors" Don Bosco used to say. Like him we also appeal to you to

support us in preparing this fine young man by making a donation of a

study bursary.

You can donate this Bursary as an individual, as a family or else as a

Church group. Our students always remember their benefactors at Mass

and in the daily rosary. For more information contact the Rector of the

Salesian Community near you. A Salesian vocation is a sign that God loves young people.


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The Brothers of the AFW Province in west Africa, had the opportunity to have a three day meeting in the

Provincial house. Most of them arrived on the evening of the 13th of May in time to celebrate of the feast of St Mary Mazzarello with the

Sisters and students. In all fifteen Brothers participated in

the meeting.

The following morning was animated by Fr G Basañes who spoke to the Brothers about the Synod for Africa and what was of particular

significance for the Brother vocation. He shared his experience at the Synod and highlighted the importance of

the prophecy of

communion of Religious life in Africa.

The Brothers then had an opportunity

to look closely at the ration and the changes that are being proposed so as to make the Brother vocation more visible and catered for in the formation process. They had the opportunity to make

suggestions and to discuss the situation of the Brother vocation in the province.

The Sunday morning Liturgy was presided by Fr George Crisafulli , the Provincial, which was held with the

students of the Hostel. Since it was vocation Sunday, Fr George spoke about the call in the life of the young and then at the end of the Mass presented the Brothers to the students. Afterwards all the

students were invited to a

„vocation breakfast‟. This

involved having a kind of treasure hunt in which the students to answer a set of questions about the Brothers present, before they got their

breakfast. This was an excellent opportunity to promote the vocation of the Brother amongst the student, giving them the opportunity to clarify any questions.

Later that morning, Fr George

gave a talk to the Brothers on the situation of the province and the important role that

the brothers have in the life of the province. “If only I had sixty Brothers, we would be able to really radicalize our

work.” His talk left a deep impressions on the Brothers, and all felt a renewed commitment to make the vocation of the Brother known and appreciated. It is significant that the patron of

the Province is Bl Br. Atremide Zatti.


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Hello Fr Jorge, what a fabulous day to

write you.

It‟s quite a long time we correspondenced;

however the ball is still rolling. It‟s a new year with so many resolves which I hope personally will see me through as I continue to persevere in this wonderful yet challenging mission. God has been good to me, my community is blessed with confreres who understand, cooperate and always there for each other. The mission is new

therefore hard work is needed for a solid, ensuring and sustaining foundation. We are doing our best, God is blessing us and fruits are yielding, which serves as a boost for us especially me.

Fr Ferrington is very particular about having good health and at such he never hesitate to

proffer the best possible medical treatment to

me whenever I‟m down. He is such a wonderful person.

In March, we had the delegation assembly. I was there and it was wonderful opportunity to understand fully the delegation, its successes

and challenges and it was also a time to come to know the confreres of the delegation.

From January to March is a challenging period in South Sudan because of the heat. It is so much horrible because it is still hot. Sometime it gets to 55 C. –what a horrible situation. Everything is hot! Water, cloths, bed ….

Anything that is exposed and when you are in a house where generator is not working properly as it is in my situation now, then one can admit

that one is already doing ones time in purgatory – smiles.

However, I am not saying all these as a way of lamentation, but just to explain the harsh

situation we are facing here and I must tell you I

am happy to be here. I am happy you suggested to me to come to Sudan. I am happy I accepted the proposal because I have found my experiences to be practical school of life and despite the cruel challenges, it offer to me the best opportunities to learn and to contribute my little self to the people of South Sudan.

So I say to you, the best gift you have given me so far is to send me to Sudan for my Practical Training!!!

Today is your birthday and also the 25th anniversary of your first profession. My wish for you is that God may continue to strengthen you

in mind and heart; may He enrich you with His wisdom and grant you health of mind and body. I am happy with you and I want you to know that.

May Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians continue to intercede for you. Amen:

N.B Presently we just began the new academic year

and the community is working hard to introduce the Salesian system in the school. The community has entrusted the school to the practical trainees and I was made the vice-principal. Always in need of your prayers!!!

…the best gift

you have given

me so far is to

send me to

Sudan for my

Practical Training!!!

Anthony Odior has n ow been on the missions in Sudan for his PT this last nine months. Here he writes to Fr George to congratulate him for his birthday; he also shares his

experiences in Sudan, which is a wonderful insight into the life on the missions.


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The Missionary Group of Don Bosco Technical

Institute Sunyani is a religious association

formed with self voluntarily students in the

institution, performing different functions to

uplift the work of God.

It was formed in the year 1999 with 25

members. During that time, Rev. Father

George Crisafulli was the Principal of the

school. At present the group has 60 active

members. The following are the activities we

undertake: MISSIONARY FORMATION;

APOSTOLATE; RETREAT

Missionary Formation is done during our

weekly meetings every Monday at 3 p.m. in

the school. Generally, there are three points in

our agenda, namely sharing about the

situation in the villages, an input from one of

the Salesians and A.O.B. We always start and

close the meetings with a prayer.

Regarding the Apostolate we are divided into 8

small groups and every Saturday and Sunday

we go to different places. Each group has 2

animators. Some help in the parish as leaders

of Sunday school, some go with the Salesians

to the villages belonging to the parish Mary

Help of Christians where they speak with the

people and invite them to come to the church.

Some help in the Oratory in Don Bosco Boys

Home or in Adantia. 2 years ago a group has

started going to Sunyani Prison on Sundays

morning in order to pray with the inmates. One

group is a prayer group and its task is to pray

for all the activities of others. Every term we

use to change the place of apostolate for the

groups in order to expose them to a bigger


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The following sayings were found scribbled on a piece of note paper on Fr Roy‟s desk. Don Bosco firmly believed in making the good that he did well know by means of the Bulletin and the printing

press. Let us Pass On this newsletter to family, friends and Benefactors so that the good that is being done in our province can be known far and wide.

Make Good Deeds Good News

Make well done, well known

Don’t hide the good you see – spread it abroad.

Make Good deeds become good news for others

If you see good, make it news

Good Deeds Deserve to be known;

The good that is done deserves to be news.

[Missionary Group Continued] experience in different settings. Besides we try to

animate the students of our school. Every Thursday during the big break we pray the

Rosary in front of the statue of Mary and in Lenten season we animate the way of the

cross on Fridays. Once every term we have a retreat for all the members of Don Bosco Missionary Group in the school.

Every two, three years in August, there is a camp organized in one of the villages. We

join some volunteers coming from Germany, Poland or Italy in order to build church or

school. We built a school in Sereso in 2003 and a Mulitpurpose Hall in Adantia in 2005.

Last year some members of the Missionary group took part in Holidays Camps organized for young people in Odumase, Adentia and Sunyani.

We had almost 100 animators from Italy, Poland, Argentina and Ghana and we run 4

different 2-weeks camps for almost 1200 children. It was a great experience of the

Universal Church. Looking at the above mentioned activities, we can notice that young

people are ready to take up the responsibility of Evangelisation if only an opportunity is given to them. Fr. Peter


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VISIT OF THE REGIONAL FR GUILLERMO BASANES sdb TO SUNYANI COMMUNITIES.

The Regional of Africa and Madagascar, Fr Guillermo Basañes

arrived at the Novitiate community at about 8pm on the 15th of May from Ashaiman with Fr, Silvio

Roggia the Novice Master of the Novitiate community. The novices, gave him a warm

welcome, had dinner, community Rosary together. Fr Basañes gave the Good-night to the Novitiate community.

The following day Monday 16th, Fr Basañes celebrated

Mass with the Novitiate community. The Novices then had the opportunity of a lengthy interactive session with the Regional at mid-

morning. He spoke extensively

about his responsibilities as the Regional and Representative of the Rector Major in Africa, he spoke about his vocation, his family and his two decade long experience of Missionary

activity in Africa. Since there was so much to say and so little time to say it, Fr Basañes had to summarize. Before lunch, the Novices presented the origins of the Society through a dance drama. The

Regional was very pleased

with the presentation, and asked that it should be filmed.

In the evening, after returning from a visit to the Catholic University College of Ghana,

Sunyani Campus, Fr. Basañes

had an hour of sharing with the Novices before proceeding to our sister community for dinner. He was back at the Novitiate community for Rosary and the Good-night talk.

On the third Tuesday the 17th of May, after the celebration of the Eucharist and breakfast with the Novitiate community, our Regional departed for Ashaiman with the Novice

master and a few companions

at about 8:30am.

The presence of the Regional Fr Basañes at the Novitiate in the final months of the

Novitiate year was indeed a

great blessing and grace, as attested by all the Novices. We were glad to have him in our community for these few days, and promised him our prayers and closeness, wishing him all the best in the coming

months and years. He confessed that he had so much to say to us but there was no time. He equally promised to be close to us in his prayers.

GERALD OSHIOBUGIE SIMON SRUGI NOVITIATE

Other visitors to the Novitiate: Fr Anthony Oche when he was last in Ghana at the end of April, met the Novices when they were in Capecoast for their Easter break; in the first week of May Fr Richard was in Sunyani to conduct a seminar to the Novices and while they celebrated with him his birthday; Fr Taisali, a Salesian from Fiji Island is spending a month at the novitiate as a help for his future role as novice master in Fiji.


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Convinced and respectful witnesses in the digital age

Extract from message of Fr F Filiberto Gonzalez General Councillor for Social Communication for 45th World Day of Social Communications

I am offering a brief reflection for

the 45th World Day of Social

Communications, bearing in mind

as a Salesian, our young people

and their needs. For us Salesians

“Returning to Don Bosco” means

“being in the playground”, that is,

being with young people

especially the poorest, to discover

the presence of God in them and

invite them to be open to the

mystery of his love (GC26, 2 ).

Where are the young? Where is

the playground for us to live out the

Preventive System and Assistance? In

more and more interactivity on the Web!

In the second half of the last century,

Marshal McLuhan said: “The medium is the message”...

I believe that we must change our idea of

the Web. Let us not see it as a simple,

usable tool for serving our needs and

personal goals, but try to think of it and

experience it as social and cultural space,

with its own kinds of relationships and

socialisation. It is an area where images,

symbols, writing genres all interact and

they in turn interact with people of

different ages, social class, traditions and

nationality, all together, regardless of

space and time (where space and time

indeed seem to hardly exist). This inter-

cultural structural feature of the Web

becomes part of its apparent technological

and sometimes linguistic homogeneity. So

now we have to learn not only to “use” but

also to live in this digital space and these

social networks with others, without

leaving aside many other forms of

communication which are also disseminated and valued via the Web.

Pope Benedict XVI`s Message for the 45th

World Communications Day emphasises

the positive side of social networks as a

meeting space and place for

communication so long as you look for and

accept truth as its meaning and content, if

it involves convinced and respectful

witnesses, if those who surf and interact

seek to be transparent, open to dialogue,

without trying to hide something. This

means that new technologies call for new

and better relationships. For this reason,

the Pope broadens the church community

and its mission to include the digital area.

Many bishops, priests and religious, many

Catholics, already do this. Many of our

Salesians and young people in our works

also do it. Life is changing in such

unexpected ways, ways not understood

and perhaps not previously thought of.

The playgrounds and youth centres are in

new areas of virtual interactivity for

educational and evangelising relationships.


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On the 21st of May, the Salesian Parish Church of Mary

Help of Christians was consecrated by Rev. Dr. George

Biguzzi SX, Bishop of Makeni Present for the occasion

were the two communities and all the parishioners and youth. Fr Sergei oversaw the completion of the work.


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Friday 1 April 2011 marked the 25th

Anniversary of the first profession of Fr Blamoh

Harris. The celebration of the Anniversary

started on the evening of Thursday 31 March

with thanksgiving Mass which was presided over

by the celebrant Fr Blamoh. Present at the

occasion were Mrs Patricia Edghill, the mother

of Fr Blamoh and her friend, invited guests from

our various sectors, Salesian sisters and

hostellers (boys and girls). On Friday, the

programme continued in the school. There was

Mass by 12:00pm followed by lunch and then

football competition for boys and girls.

In his homily, during the Mass, Fr

Blamoh shared with us his vocational journey.

As an alter server, he said, he was attracted to

priesthood by two things. First, he admired the

devout life of his then parish priest Rev. Fr

Michael Kpakala Francis (now the Archbishop

of Monrovia Archdiocese). Secondly, he was

attracted by the left over wine which they usually

share among themselves after Mass. He dreamt

of the day when he will be taken the wine, not the

left over but as a priest. Today, even without

wine, Fr Blamoh remains a happy Salesian, a

priest of the Lord. Today he remembers 25 years

ago when he said the first yes. He prayed for all

those who made it possible for him to achieve his

dreams, his vocation. We thank God for his life,

his parents and his well-wishers. I will now join

my voice with the voices of the staff and students

of DBTI, Ashaiman, to say:

Fr Blamoh, we love you!

Happy 25th

Anniversary!

Ephraim C. Onwuzuru

Ashaiman, Ghana – 13th to 15th May.


-18-

The Ondo Diocese, Parish, Youth Centre, DBTI, Health Centre and all Salesians in Akure rejoice with Rev Fr Italo Spagnolo who

celebrates his 70th birthday and still finds it easy to work like a twenty years old boy despite his age as the Parish Priest and Rector of Akure community and this secret is revealed in an interview with

Abiodun Sunday.

NAME IN FULL. My name is Spagnolo Italo [in addition- Franco Germano]. WHERE ARE YOU FROM? AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Italy and I was born in Trivero [Vercelu]. WHAT DOES TODAY MEANS TO YOU? Today is a day of big thanks to God & to all WE HEAR THE GREAT THINGS YOU ARE DOING IN MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS PARISH,

AKURE. WITH YOUR AGE, HOW DO YOU FIND IT EASY TO DO ALL THESE? Hm! I do it with joy and determination. HOW MANY YEARS DO YOU PRAY TO LIVE ON EARTH? [Laugh]. Any one God pleases to give me. We are not owners of our lives. WHEN DID YOU COME TO AFRICA AND YOUR FIRST COUNTRY, STATE AND TOWN? AND YEARS SPENT? I came to Africa on 27th September 1982. My first country was Nigeria, Ondo state and Ondo town. About the years spent, if you calculate by yourself you will know.

That will be 29years. My friend! God bless you. WHEN WAS THE EXACT TIME OF THE CLOCK WHEN YOU PUT ON YOUR FIRST CHASIBLE? 9:50 am on 21th December 1968 in Rome Salesian University, at 12:00noon pope Paul VI received

us in a special audience. We were 39 in number with our parents, uncles but my Father was late before then. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU GIVEN A GOODNIGHT TALK? Uncountable! My friend I cannot count. I regret` not been able to come to the youth Centre since

parish busy time at 6:00pm.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE? MESSAGE. Firstly, for grown up youth- serious ones. Ask the youth director to give you copies of pope‟s and rector major„s addresses to the youth. Take time to read them, they are wonderful sources of inspirations. Second, Children- Ask for Don Bosco and Dominic savio childhood and youth story books, imitate their examples. And to everybody – Be holy! Love Jesus because Jesus is walking with you even through you are

not aware like the disciples of Emmaus.

Read and meditate on LK 24:13-35.

By Sunday Abiodun Lawrence For

DBYCAK


-19-

Feast of Mary Help of Christians in Ashaiman

t has been part of our history that whenever a

King is elected his mother will be killed for fear

that she would influence her son. However, this

mentality changed completely when King

Amazu II was elected as the king of the town. Instead of

killing his mother, King Amazu II hid his mother for fear

that his cabinets would kill her. When he was asked for a

reason for his action he said: “If you love and respect me

as your king, you must love and respect the one who gave

birth to your king.”

This was the introductory thought as Fr Richard

Ebejer presided over the Eucharistic celebration in

honour of Mary Help of Christians. The whole celebration

was quite dynamic and very interesting. All members of

the Salesian family in Ashaiman: the cooperators,

students, staff members, Daughters of Mary Help of

Christians, SDBs and workers of the two communities

were present. After the Eucharistic celebration followed

series of activities, games, cultural dance, drama and may

others. In the evening we also gathered together to crown

the pick of the celebration. We ate and drank together and

then called it a day.

Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit said of Mary:

“Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of

your womb.” This prophecy fulfils the promise made of

old, when Adam fell into sin, that the liberator of mankind

will be born of a woman. So when we invoke Mary with the

title “Help of Christians” we actually refer to her as the

mother of the Saviour of all mankind. Therefore, anyone

who accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour is left with no

option than to accept Mary as the mother of the Lord and Saviour.

May she who brought salvation to the world intercede for us all who have recourse to her.

Amen.

Ephraim C. Onwuzuru

I


-20-

PROVINCIAL VISITATION 2011

The provincial, Rev Fr Jorge Crisafulli,

made a week long canonical visitation to

our community here in Monrovia Liberia,

from 21st to the 28th of March 2011 and

he was warmly welcomed as a father

and a brother. In the evening of that

same day, he gave a conference in

which he officially opened his visitation.

In his opening remarks, the provincial

spoke on four key points: The

community, our mission, our vocation and our home work. He highlighted the major

factors that can lead to division in community and admonished us to be very cautious of

them. He said: “These are vices that can destroy community life.” He added that our

mission here in Liberia needs expansion and development, and so we should create more

ways doing so. Also, the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) must be strengthened.

The provincial‟s visitation covered all the sectors of our mission: Parishes, High schools

Youth centre, both at Matadi and 8th Street. He also visited the Don Bosco Homes at

Virginal. In addition to this, he had series of meetings with various groups: the Parish

Pastoral Council, the Salesian cooperators, the school staff, the youth director with the

youth of Matadi, and the Golden Jubilee committee of St Joseph‟s parish. Certainly, he

had personal talks with individual confrere. His visitation coincided with the visit of the

representatives of MISERIO who came to see and assess our projects here.

During his visitation, Fr Jorge officially installed Fr Lionel Xavier SDB as the rector of the

community. Fr Lionel is now canonically recognized as rector of St Joseph‟s community

here in Liberia. He also helped in solving the major problems facing our mission here and

putting certain matters in order.

At the end of the visitation, the provincial made the following recommendations: As

educators, we must always ensure discipline in our schools for better education. Also,

the youth of today are less enthusiastic about their faith. We, therefore, need to

motivate them and help improve their knowledge in the catholic faith. He went further to

say that our Catholic schools were built to evangelize youngsters. For this reason, proper

catechetical formation must be giving to the students. Speaking further, he appealed for

the promotion of Salesian vocation among the young people we are working with. He

said there are fewer Salesian vocations from Liberia, so we need to work harder and to

carefully promote our vocation among these young people. He suggested that we

organize various vocational animation programmes for them. He also realized and

supported the need of creating new frontiers outside Monrovia and so, we should work

towards it.

The provincial visitation was very important

for two reasons: First, it challenges us to

initiate new ideas and to work harder to

spread the Salesian mission in Liberia.

Secondly, it also encourages and motivated

us to be optimistic and courageous in

carrying out our work with perseverance.

This is reflected in his last statement, I

quote: “Thank you very much my brothers,

never feel discouraged in your mission. May

God be your strength.” Augustine Koroma


-21-

ST JOSEPH’S PARISH ALTAR SERVERS HOST A DAY OLYMPIC GAMES

On the 19th of March 2011, the

solemnity of St Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Altar Servers, with the co-operation of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) of St Joseph‟s Parish, organized a day of Olympic Games. The aim

of organizing the games was to create familiarity and friendships with other alter servers within the deanery. Altar servers from four different parishes within the denary were

also invited to take part in the

games. Participants included both boys and girls.

The event took place at the Don Bosco Youth Centre, Matadi. Before the games started, all the participants

gathered in the Mary Help of Christian‟s church in the same compound to pray and gain some general spiritual and moral messages. The talk was giving by Jonathan diocesan seminarian on the topic: What

are we expected to do as young Christians during the season of Lent? It was a short but enriching message which I believe they all understood very well. In addition to this,

Fomba Koroma sdb., reminded

them of good conduct as

children of God. He supported his talk by quoting Don Bosco thus: “shout, jump, play, sing but do not sin.”

The games played were football, kick ball and central flag. All the groups came

together to play the games in a joyful and cheerful atmosphere. These nullified the competitive idea they young people first had when they arrived

Since it was a whole day activity, lunch was provided for all the participants. Thanks to generous parishioners who supported them financially and materially in providing all the necessary things they needed for event. The presence and participation of the Salesians gave the event a meaningful Salesian picture. It was indeed a successful activity. The whole event ended around Five O‟clock pm and they all went singing and shouting with joy.

STUDENTS VISIT THE CHARITY HOME

Some students of Don Bosco Technical High School, who are members of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom group, paid a memorable visit to the charity home, run by the Sisters of Charity at 20th street,

Monrovia. The visitation took place in the morning of 20th April 2011, the Wednesday of Holy week. They went with some items, such as used clothes, shoes, money,

donated by various students

from the school for charity.

On arrival on arrival at the centre, we were welcomed by the sisters and some of the

workers. After stating the purpose of our visit, one of the sisters explained to us work

they are doing at the centre.

She told us that they take care of patients suffering from AIDS and other sicknesses and

also and orphans. Sister was so patient to answer all the questions the students asked. After the discussion, we were only allowed to play with the kids, but did not visit the HIV patient, because they were

resting as said by sister.

The purpose of the visitation was not only to observe the Lenten practices, but it was also to experience the reality

of the difficulties and sufferings other people are going through. This gave some the opportunity of understanding the apostolate of the Sisters of Charity. For majority of the students, it

was their first time of visiting such place. No wonder they were so much moved with compassion for the poor and sick children they met. Although the bigger children

were quite cheerful, yet, it

was hard for the students to leave the home, because they felt so much pity to see the babies lonely and crying.

The idea was welcomed and supported by the school administration and the Salesian community. Everyone was impressed by the idea and wish of these students. This activity undertaking by the students show a great sign of their generosity and concern for the sick and the underprivileged. Augustine Koroma


-22-

The feast of Mary Help of Christians is celebrated every year in all Salesian

institutions, either in a simple way or in a grand style. The reason is that Salesians, like

their founder, firmly believed that without the intervention of Mary, the life and mission

of the congregation is meaningless. This year‟s celebration in Liberia aimed at making

young people to realize that Mary is also present among them and continue to influence

their lives as a loving mother and guardian. The celebration began on the 21st May and

ended on the 31 May. Before the feast day, students in our schools were encouraged to

recite the Rosary and to learn something about Mary. This was to help them get clear

insight into why we Catholics give great honour to Mary and make devotions to her.

Various events were organized to mark this great feast.

On the 21st of May, students from Don Bosco Technical High School and Mary Help of

Christians School and other interested individuals, made a day pilgrimage to the Marian

Shrine at Virginia, some kilometers away from central Monrovia. It was a spiritual event

which made a lot of impact in the spiritual life of the young people present for the event.

The 24th was the feast of Mary Help of Christians. The feast was well celebrated. Here in

Don Bosco Technical High School, we began with a prayer service, conducted by Br

Victor Chambers. During the service, he spoke about devotion to Mary and the necessity

of making devotion to Mary. It was a 40 minutes service and was well attended by all

the students and some teachers. At the end of the service, Mr Harry Tarr, the out-gone

Finance officer of the school, was prayed for and appreciated by the entire school for his

service he rendered to the school.

After the service, different games were organized for the students in the school campus.

Some were competitive, while others were free games. The lively atmosphere of the

games attracted the interest of all present on campus that day, including visitors. There

was cheering and shouting all over the compound. The finance office provided lunch for

the entire school that day and no student went hungry.

It rained heavily that morning while the service was going on, but there was sun shine

later in the day which made it possible to have the games played. The day ended at the

normal closing hour, 1:20pm and the children went home feeling fulfilled. It was indeed

a great day.

The celebration came to its climax on the 31st of May, the feast of our Lady of Visitation

at around 11 am. The brothers, together with some students and few teachers, gathered

in front of the Marian grotto to honour Mary in a

simple, but meaningful way. Hymns were song,

candles were lighted, flowers were placed at the

foot of Mary‟s statue and prayers were offered

through Mary‟s intercession. At the end of the

ceremony, Rosaries were distributed among all

students gathered there. Their joys of receiving

the Rosaries show their willingness to accept Mary

Help of Christians. So it was.


-23-

WITH OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIAN FOREVER – Ondo.

It is not by chance that Christ at the end of his life gave his mother to the disciple John to be

his mother and for John to be a son to the

sorrowful mother. The motherhood of Mary reaches beyond the disciples and transcends into our own time and space, since we are the disciples of the new dispensation.

In keeping faith with this child to mother relationship, the Don Bosco Centre Ondo, embarks on her annual walking pilgrimage to

the shrine of Mary Help of Christians Akure. The event for this year 2011 was earmarked for the 27th and 28th of May. A total of about three hundred pilgrims with contingents from Akure and a few neighboring villages made up the entourage that took leave of the Don Bosco Youth Center Ondo. Events for the pilgrimage

began the previous day with the Rosary prayed

with the youth of the center and on the morning of the departure, an hour of Sacramental exposition and adoration with the

pilgrims at the parish church. Departure was made by around ten o clock in the morning.

During the pilgrimage, brief stops were made at some designated points like Stanmark, Oboto and Owena, where there was supper and night rest. All these were to enable participants regain strength. As early as 3 am on the 28th,

the entourage was again on its way. By the time it was 9 am, the entourage were already in Akure, with a brief stop at the NTA for the

breakfast after which the next target was the bishop‟s house. The Bishop was not around but the Vicar of the Diocese, Very Rev Fr Adewale Ojo received and blessed the pilgrims after

which they all aimed for the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.

At the shrine, there was a celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by Rev Fr Italo Spagnolo.After this was lunch and the pilgrims took time for the departure.Of all, the

experience was one of prayer and rumination; it was a beautiful thing to see young people gathered in a prayerful mood and with all sincerity at that. The event was a great success, thanks to the intercession of our Lady

Help of Christians

DELES PHASE 2

A popular adage acclaims that knowledge is power.

The program for development and leadership services,

popularly known as DELES whose phase 2 was slated

for 30th May till 3rd June has come and gone. The

program which is solely to promote participants skills

and knowledge of life‟s situations was attended by

Novices and Prenovices of several male and female

religious congregations in Nigeria.

The Prenovices of the Salesians of Don Bosco were in

attendance and with their presence; there came color

and gaiety because of the special Salesian spirituality and charisma of joy and optimism

which they showed at every instance. The program soon became an avenue for fun and

knowledge as the prenovices were wont to introduce ice breakers, group dynamics

games and different clapping styles in order to create a lively environment fit for

learning and acquisition of knowledge.

At the program, knowledge about self, self management, listening skills and group

dynamics were distinctively taught. The program was also an avenue to meet and make

new friends with fellow pilgrims on the journey to the religious life. The program came to

a good end on Friday 3rd June 2011, after which the participants departed.

Joseph Oraegbuman


-24-

In his book Responding to the Divine Call, Fr

Ambrose C. Agu said: “A healthy and well-organized

society is an asset to young people who are still

searching for their respective vocations in life,” It was on

this accord that the community of St Francis De Sales in

collaboration with the SYM Ashaiman organized a two-

day programme/vocation rally in honour of St Dominic

Savio. The programme was for young boys and girls

between the ages of 12-18 years. It began on Friday

evening 27 May and ended on the afternoon of 28 May

2011 at St Dominic Savio Centre Tema Newtown.

The programme was very interesting. About 70-

80 young people participated and were very happy to be

part of the programme. It was well planned. All the

members of the community participated actively. We

engaged them with a lot of activities: like spiritual talks,

hagiographical PowerPoint, Mass and games. Our aim

was to prepare them to listen to the voice of God and

make a rightful decision in life.

Catching them young was our sole plan.

Ephraim C. Onwuzuru


-25-

AFW Newsletter

Salesian Publication

Provincial House

Ashaiman - GHANA

Official Newsletter of AFW Vice-Province to serve as a means of animation & exchange of information between the different Salesian houses.

Director

Fr George Crisafulli

Editor

Fr Richard Ebejer

A special word of thanks to the following who have contributed in this edition.

Ephraim Onwuzuru Joseph Oraegbuman Augustine Koroma Maximus Okoro Chikezie Ekugbah Silvio Roggia Gerald Oshiobugie Toni Odior Sunday Abiodun Michał Król

Studio 43

[email protected]

The greatest of

all is that he has

shown me my

littleness and

how, of myself, I

am incapable of

anything good.

St. Therese, the Little Flower

Birthdays

May:

03/54 Riccardo Racca

05/64 Günter Mayer

06/60 Richard Ebejer

09/87 Cornelius Okon

11/83 Okoronkwo

Sylvester

11/88 John Paul Aneke

13/82 James Ailen

16/81 Denis Ugwu

16/41 Italo Spagnolo

23/78 Raphael Airoboman

29/89 BOADI I. Ofosu

27/78 Tobias Mba

30/78 Eric Akinboboye

30/84 Vincent Mogaji

31/88 Felix Olamide

June:

03/88 Benedict Ibolekwu

05/87 Josephat Nwugo

05/82 George Takyi

09/83 Thaddeus Nwaru

11/82 Philip Gbao

18/88 John Bosco Okolie

20/71 Peace Ike

22/73 Samuel Job

23/63 Jose Valiplackel

27/78 Albert Gibson

28/69 Joseph Gyamfi

July:

03/87 James Acheampong

04/63 Silvio Roggia

06/87 Maximus Okoro

07/79 Nathaniel Akortsaha

11/72 Samuel Obu

19/79 Nichodemus

Nebigwe

23/49 Riccardo Castellino

24/87 ANOKYE A. Addai

23/88 Gregory Echegwo

24/80 Anthony Okonkwo

24/28 Giovanni Patrucco

25/79 Peter Okeke

26/81 Ephraim Onwuzuru

27/73 Augustine Njoku

Calendar

June PT meeting (national Level) 23 Corpus Christi 24 June -1st July Preparation

Course & retreat for PP

July 1-3 PC meeting – Admissions

(Ashaiman, Ghana) 2 Deacon Ordination Nicholas

Umoh (Yaoundé, Cameroon) 8 Post Novitiate Graduation Day 7-8 Quinquenium priests and PP

brothers meeting (Ibadan,

Nigeria) 9 Perpetual Professions (Akure,

Nigeria) 10-16 Annual retreat for Post

Novices and other confreres

(Ibadan, Nigeria) Child Protection Policy

Commission (Ashaiman, Ghana)

24 Perpetual Professions (Lungi, Sierra Leone)

29-31 National Congress Salesian

Family of Nigeria (Ibadan)

afw monthly newsletter

Documents