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As most of our ministries begin a new ministerial year, I would like to place before you a point that was greatly stressed during the recent General Chapter 27.
PRESENCE
We recall the words of the Rector Major to the members of GC 27 from his concluding message which states: "In GC26 we read that returning to the young means 'being in the playground', and we know that being in the playground goes far beyond physical space. It is wanting to be with and amongst them, encountering them in their daily life, getting to know their world, encouraging them to play their part, accompanying the awakening of their sense of God and boldly encouraging them to live their lives as the Lord Jesus lived his. Fr. Ricceri wrote something in one of his letters that I think is very beautiful when he said: "The pastoral predilection for youngsters and older youth showed up in Don Bosco as a kind of 'passion', or better, as his 'super-vocation' to which he dedicated himself, avoiding every obstacle and leaving aside everything, good though it may be, which could hinder this in any way" (AGC 284, 1976, p.31)."
Predilection for the young became the basic and most fundamental option in his life, and it is the mission of the Congregation. This is why the Rector Major dares to ask each Province and local community that, as a response to the plan of animation and government for each Province, where a confrere has the strength, the educative and evangelizing passion, the authentic vocation to be with and for the young and amongst them, whatever his age, everything possible be done to free him of other tasks and management, so that he can do what we should best know how to do by our vocation: be educators and pastors of the young. The Rector Major invites us to concretize and translate further into decisions of government what we well know to be the result of our Salesian legacy.
SPIRITUALITY OF PRESENCE FOR EDUCATORS: A Reflection
"Presence" is the central element of the Salesian Spirit. It was close to the heart of Don Bosco's own practice. He understood clearly and instinctively that educators - especially Salesian educators - are called to be signs and bearers of God's love and presence to those in their care. In the Salesian Tradition, "presence" means, being with the young people entrusted to our care; being physically and actively among them. It is an active and dynamic way of "being" - of being with and for the young; of having their best interests and welfare at heart. It implies establishing relationships with them, which are based on mutual respect, equality and co-operation, rather than fear and superiority. (cf GC 27, # 59)
Presence suggests an openness to others that is evident in a sharing of lives. Presence has to do with loving what young people love so that they can learn to love what we love. It is about engaging them, interacting with them - speaking and listening, playing and praying, laughing and crying, encouraging and challenging, correcting, and guiding. It is in our everyday encounters with young people, and in sharing our lives and our selves that we communicate the presence of God's life-giving love to our young people. "Presence" has a rich and deep scriptural and theological basis. The presence of God is manifest in power and creativity in the act of creation - bringing order out of chaos. God manifests his presence to Abraham, with promises of blessings and prosperity. Moses encounters God's presence in the burning bush as one who listens to the cries of his people and acts on their behalf. It is here that the name of God is revealed: "Yahweh", the one who is - the one whose presence "is" - whose presence is "with" and "amongst" the people, whose presence is life-giving.
PARADIGMS OF PRESENCE
As it has been put in the Chapter document, (cf GC 27, #52) the young are "our burning bush" (Cf. Ex 3:2 ff, cf EG 169). In them God speaks to us and awaits us in them. They are the reason why we felt able to say 'yes' to the Lord's call; they are the reason for our life as Salesians, educators, and pastors of the young. How could we only go halfway? How could we only work some of the time as if it were part of our working day? And even more so, how can we remain at peace when in our suburb, neighborhood and city there are poverty-stricken young people, loneliness, family violence and aggression by those who have power over them? We are called to give them a voice in circumstances where they have none, to offer them friendship, help, acceptance, as the presence of an adult who loves them and who only wants them to be happy 'here and in eternity'. We are eager to be their friends, brothers, educators and fathers who only want them to play their part and be masters of their own lives.... Only from this key perspective will it be possible to be a servant and never a master, employer or "authority." (cf GC 27 # 55)
When the presence of God takes on human form in the person of Jesus, he is announced as "Emmanuel" - God with us. In Jesus, God assumes humanity to join us, to be with us and to share our humanity - in all its ambiguity. In the Incarnation, God enters the human story and so entwines the sacred and the divine into one. Jesus reveals God's love, justice and mercy. Jesus makes God present in history. Before his death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus promises that his presence will be with those who gather in his name. He gave us the Eucharist as a remembrance of his presence and promises to send the Holy Spirit so that his presence might be with us always until the end of time.
The Tradition of the Church echoes the Biblical understanding of presence, proclaiming that Christ is present in the gathering of the faithful, the Body of Christ; in the Word of God, the Scriptures; in the priestly minister acting in the person of Christ; and in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Christ. For Don Bosco the Eucharist was the abiding sign of presence of Christ in our midst. For this reason the Eucharist was central to Don Bosco's whole educational approach because it was a communal celebration of the loving presence of God.
Furthermore, the tradition of the Church teaches that the presence of God is revealed in the awe-inspiring beauty of creation and in human relationships and encounters - "whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me." We have only to examine Jesus' own encounters with people to discover this. That is why the Church understands Jesus as the sacrament of God and itself as is the sacrament of Jesus - Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's presence in the world and the Church is a means of presence of Christ in the world. (cf GC 27 # 45)
Don Bosco envisaged Salesian educators as people who are with and for the young, sharing their lives and making the reality of Christ's presence in the world a part of their experience. This is one way of personalizing Vatican II's understanding of the role of the Church in the world: "The joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the people of our time, especially those who are poor or afflicted in any way, are the joy and hope the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well. Nothing that is genuinely human fails to find an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of people, of people who, united Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, press onwards towards the Kingdom of the Father and are bearers of a message of salvation intended for all people. That is why Christians cherish a feeling of deep solidarity with the human race and its history." [Gaudium et Spes: The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, #1]
For educators - especially Salesian educators - we respond to our mission of serving the young when we make ourselves present in their midst, sharing the joy and hope, the grief and anguish of their lives in an active and participatory way. It is by engaging in their lives that we have the opportunity of communicating the presence of God, of being signs and bearers of God's life and love. (cf GC 27 # 33)
Furthermore, by being present with the young we also have the opportunity of discovering the presence of God that is active in their lives too. Thus, a spirituality of presence - so evident in the Eucharist - is a way of living out our mission as Salesian educators, and an avenue for personal growth. If we are open to the presence of God in the lives of the young we can grow in wholeness and holiness. (cf GC 27 # 3)
God bless you.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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A Thought:
In bed, I was asking myself; "what are some of the secrets to success in life?" I found the answer right there in my very room. The fan said,"be cool", the roof said, "aim high", the window said, "see the world" ,the clock said, "every minute is precious", the mirror said, "reflect before you act". The calendar said, "be up to date". The door said, "push hard for your goals". The Rug said "kneel down and pray". The toilet said "flush the Bad habits that will deter u from becoming someone influential in life! The Bible laughed and said, "read me for direction".
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 Laughter the best medicine
A British guy walks into a bar in Central London and before he could order his drink, he notices an Indian man wearing a turban. Having a personal grudge against Indians, the British guy says loudly to the bartender to the advantage of everyone seated in the bar, "Drinks for everyone in here, except for the Indian over there." The first round of drinks were served, and the Indian gives him a smile, gestures to him saying, "Thank you!" in a loud voice. The British guy is upset and again orders loudly to the bartender to serve another round of drinks to everyone except the Indian. The Indian seems to be unruffled and he continues to smile, and yells back, "Thank you Sir!" The British guy is mad by now and asks the bartender, "What's wrong with this Indian ? I've insulted him by ordering drinks for everyone but him, and yet he smiles back and keeps thanking me. Has he lost his mind?" "No, Sir," replies the bartender. "He is the owner of this place." _______________
Life is Easy
On a thundering rainy day, Mom went to pick her six year son from school thinking that he will fear lightning. But she found him smiling at the sky for every lightning.. She asks, "Why are you smiling..?" Son : "God is taking my Pictures & I need to look good.." |
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 The Devotion of the Three Hail Marys
The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS is a very simple yet most efficacious devotion.
Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding the invocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me from mortal sin." Many people recite the Three Hail Marys as part of their morning and night prayers. To practice this devotion in time of danger, stress, special need or temptation, is a sure means to obtain Our Lady's help.
Our special thanks to Mother Mary. After praying the 3 Hail Marys faithfully we received news that a friend of ours was miraculously cured of a liver disease. Mrs. Nancy, NY
Thank you Mother Mary for all the blessings showered on us, during the preparation of our wedding. Please bless our wedding day and keep us in your loving and tender care always. Doreen Ivy, Abu Dhabi, UAE
I want to thank Jesus and Mother Mary for performing a miracle in my life. I passed an exam that was vital for me, without which I couldn't have gone on in life. Thank you so much dear Jesus and Mary for helping me experience your love and power.
Jennifer, SC
My sincere thanks to Our Blessed Mother for all favors received. Cyril, PA
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In Closing
Dear devotees of Our Lady and Don Bosco,
If you have received a miracle through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we would like to hear from you. Email us at MaryShrine@aol.com.
Bookstore hours: Monday - Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays: 12 - 4 pm
Weekday Masses: 12 noon. Confessions on weekdays begin at 11.30 am.
Sunday Masses: 11 am and 12.30 pm
Other activities: Day Retreats, Weekend retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Eucharistic Adoration, Friday night Lenten Dinners, 50/50 raffle, 350 club, Rosary Madonna Statue. Rent Lomagno Hall, Rent our Banquet Hall.
MEMORIES
Remember a Loved One: Engrave plaques on Wall of Memories, adopt a Tree, Engrave blocks on Walk of Honor, All Souls, All year Candle lighting, Holiday (Christmas and Easter), Flowers, Schedule a Mass, Bell Chimes.
MASS INTENTIONS
To offer a mass intention, please write to
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
174 Filors Lane,
Stony Point, NY 10980
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Our ministry is only possible with your help.
Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980
(845) 947-2200
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