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 Greetings!
On October 29, we will celebrate the feast of Blessed Don Rua, the first successor of Don Bosco.
Born in Turin on June 9, 1837, the youngest of nine children, Michael came to the Oratory in 1852. One day Don Bosco told him: "We will go halves in everything". He was among the first group to whom Don Bosco suggested the formation of the Salesian Society.
His many roles
For 36 years he was his closest collaborator in all stages of the development of the Congregation. He was professed in 1855, was first spiritual director of the Congregation at 22 (1859) and was ordained in 1860. He became the first director of the Mirabello College at 26 (1863-1865) and, later, was Vicar of Valdocco, with its 700 pupils and of the Society.
He was administrator of the Letture Cattoliche (Catholic Readings), responsible for formation (1869) and for personnel. In 1875 he became Director General of the SalesianSisters and he accompanied Don Bosco on his journey.
Don Bosco's first successor
At the explicit request of the Founder, in 1884, Pope Leo XIII named him to succeed DonBosco and he confirmed him as Rector Major in 1888.
Fr. Rua was seen as the 'living Rule' because of his austere fidelity, yet he also displayed a fatherly spirit that was capable of great thoughtfulness, so much so that he was knownas 'a king of kindness'.
Oversaw extraordinary growth
With the growth in the numbers of confrere and the development of the works, he sent Salesians all over the world, giving special attention to missionary expeditions.
In his long journeys in Europe and the Middle East, he consoled and encouraged, always looking to the Founder: "Don Bosco said...Don Bosco did... Don Bosco wanted...". When he died, on April 6 1910, at 73, the Society had grown from 773 Salesians to 4000, from 57 houses to 345, from 6 provinces to 34, in 33 countries.
Faithful continuation of Don Bosco's spirit
When beatifying him, Pope Paul VI stated: "The Salesian Family owes its origin to DonBosco, to Fr. Rua its continuation... he developed the Saint's example into a school, his Rule into a spirit, his holiness into a model. He turned the spring into a river". His remains are venerated in the crypt of the Basilica of Mary Our Help.
Pope Paul VI beatified Don Rua on 29 October 1972.
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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Fun Facts
-Uber, the world's largest taxi company owns no vehicles. -Facebook the world's most popular media creates no content. -Alibaba, Chinas most valuable retailer has no inventory. -Airbnb the world's largest accommodation provider owns no real estate -Apple with sales of over 200 million smartphones and tablets does not own a factory. -Whatsapp with 3 Billion messages a day does not own servers. -Disruptive,innovative and collaborative consumption is shifting the lines of the economy.
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 Fr. Chester Szemborski, SDB (1923-2015)
By Fr. Mike Mendl SDB
Fr. Chester Szemborski passed from earthly life into eternity on the evening of Tuesday, October 20, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, N.Y. He was 92 years old and had been a professed Salesian for 75 years and a priest for 65 years. A message from Fr. Steve Shafran, provincial, stated that in his final illness-the result of a broken hip complicated by the onset of pneumonia-Fr. Chester was supported by the Salesian community of the Marian Shrine, to which he belonged, his loving sister Eleanor, and his family and friends. Chet Szemborski entered this life on June 30, 1923, in Paterson, N.J., the son of Jerome and Lottie Pychala Szemborski. They belonged to St. Stephen's Parish in Paterson, where he was entered Christ's life 19 days later. Chet entered the aspirantate of Don Bosco Seminary at Newton, N.J., in the fall of 1935. Not having been confirmed yet, he received that sacrament in Newton's parish church of St. Joseph the following May. He was admitted to the novitiate at Newton in September 1939 and made his first profession of vows on September 8, 1940. On his way toward his B.A. in philosophy, awarded by Don Bosco College in Newton in June 1943, Bro. Chester was a fine student; he graduated cum laude. He then did his practical training as teacher and assistant with the aspirants in Newton for two years and moved with the aspirants to Suffern, N.Y., in 1945. From 1946 to 1950 Bro. Chester studied theology at Pontificio Ateneo Salesiano (the "Crocetta") in Turin, earning an STL degree. He was ordained on July 2, 1950, in the basilica of Mary Help of Christians. Fr. Chester returned to the province to take up various school and parish assignments. He was prefect of studies at Don Bosco Tech in Paterson (1950-1951), prefect at Salesian High in New Rochelle (1951-1953), assistant pastor at St. Anthony Church in Elizabeth, N.J. (1953-1959, 1960-1962), teacher at Don Bosco Juniorate in Haverstraw (1959-1960), assistant pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Mahwah, N.J. (1962-1965), and chaplain for the Salesian Sisters in North Haledon (1965-1966). In the late 1960s Fr. Chester did studies in psychology. He earned an M.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, N.J., in 1969 and subsequently was licensed by both New Jersey and New York as a school psychologist. He later published his dissertation, The Wisdom of Jung: a Theory of Personality, in paperback (rare copies were selling on the Internet from $19.00 to $58.50 at the time of his death). Notwithstanding his certification, he spent most of the years between 1970 and 1982 at the provincial residence, dealing with health problems. For one year (1971-1972) he was posted to Salesian Junior Seminary in Goshen, N.Y., as treasurer. When his health improved somewhat, he transferred to the Marian Shrine in Haverstraw, where he resided from 1982 to 2001. Declining health led to Fr. Chester's move to Northern Riverview Rest Home in Haverstraw in 2001, where he enjoyed visiting his fellow residents and bringing them such limited priestly ministry as he could in that situation. Frequently he was brought to visit his community at the Shrine, and he enjoyed taking part in province events such as jubilees and professions, at which he was a friendly presence. He remained at Northern Riverview until he fell and broke his hip early in September this year. Fr. Chester is survived by his sister Eleanor Szemborski of Paterson, N.J. |
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 Laughter the best medicine
A Lady was conducting her anti drinking campaign outside a bar.
A man came out of the Bar exuding alcohol fumes and the Lady said,
"Reflect! If you arrive at the Gates of Heaven with your breath smelling of liquor, do you think the Lord will let you in?"
"My good woman," said the man,
"when I go to Heaven I expect to leave my breath behind".
Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thinking, "surely I can't look that old.". Well . . . . My name is Grace. I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist. I noticed his degree on the wall, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I remembered a tall , handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 30-odd years ago. Could he be the same guy that I had a secret crush on, way back then? Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate. After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended St Mary's high school. "Yes. yes, I did.' he gleamed with pride. "When did you graduate?" I asked. He answered, "In 1974. Why do you ask?" "You were in my class", I exclaimed. He looked at me closely. Then, that ugly, old, bald, wrinkled faced, gray-haired, decrepit, asked, "What did you teach" ? |
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 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.
Sincere thanks for a happy trip and a safe return from the Holy Land. Reggy and Maria, NY
Thank you dear Mother Mary and St. Dominic Savio for granting me a safe delivery and the gift of a baby boy and also for a successful surgery. Wilbur and Jennifer Vaz, ME
My sincere thanks to Jesus, Our Blessed Mother and Don Bosco for helping me in my moments of difficulty after reciting the 3 Hail Marys. Do continue to bless us always. Mrs. Maxy L. Diaz, CT | |
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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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Fine Print
Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980
(845) 947-2200
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