February 1-2 2020 - Presentation of the Lord
Parish Marian Year
On January 31, we celebrate St. John Bosco. An extraordinary educator, this Italian priest founded the Salesian Order and cre-ated an educational system that has lost nothing of its pertinence today.
John Bosco was born in the vicinity of Turin in 1815. He lost his father at the age of two and was lovingly raised by his mother. In order to continue his educa-tion, he had practiced numerous small trades. Having become a priest, he developed a network for young apprentices arriving from the countryside and proposed training for the unemployed in the streets of Turin. Later, he opened a series of boarding schools (where he received the future St. Dominic Savio). The Salesian Society was inaugurated in 1854 to continue his work. At his death in 1888, Don Bosco’s work spread beyond the borders of Italy. Still today, his teaching method remains relevant and can be helpful to parents and educators.
Here are five key elements to retain from this teaching method.
1. Transform children into "honest citizens and good Christians"
Don Bosco’s teaching method includes all aspects that make up a person – intellect, technology, sports, expression, affection, and religion. Don Bosco wished "to create honest citizens and good Christians."
2. Boost self-confidence and trust in others
An education on how to be successful includes: teach-ing children how to be confident, highlighting success and in case of failure, encouraging the ability to over-come it. The goal is to provide self-confidence and trust in others: "There is no confidence without affection, without confidence, there is no education," affirmed John Bosco.
3. Let children know they are loved
It is an education of love that accepts young people as they are, and desires that they thrive and manifests true affection.
4. Never forget fun and games Among many other things, games develop the sense of reality, respect for rules, and socialization. "Let us pro-vide ample liberty to jump, run and cry with joy. Gym, music, drama, excursions improve both physical and mental health," said Don Bosco.
5. And above all teach about grace
One must encourage children to live in grace as a path to saintliness. A good education is first of all a fruit of God’s love.
Edifa , Aleteia, Jan 29, 2020
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Kobe Bryant’s last great acts
With the sudden death of Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, on Sunday, a lot has been shared in the press and on social media about Bryant’s outstanding talent and drive, and the motivational force he was on the basketball court which inspired millions. Though some of his past choices off the court were not without controversy, some of the greatest praise he has received was for the kind of man and dad he had become. In his last 24 hours, the Philadelphia native demonstrated this, away from the heights of the basketball hoop.
On the day of his death, a Sunday, many reports have said that Bryant started his day at the Catholic church in Orange County, California, where he regularly at-tends. As Fr. David Barnes shared on Twitter, Bryant’s commitment to his faith will be a great source of com-fort to those who mourn him, and inspiration for oth-ers to go to Mass:
"As sad as Kobe’s death is, a friend texted me today to tell me that a friend of her’s attends the same Catholic Church as Kobe and saw him this morning at Mass. There can be nothing more consoling to those who mourn than to know that a loved one worshipped God right before his death because worshipping God is what heaven is. Go to Mass. Go to Mass. Go to Mass."
Singer Cristina Ballestero spoke of meeting Bryant one day during Communion at Holy Family Cathedral and posted on Instagram the impact the encounter had on her: "His most inspiring trait was his decision to turn to his faith in God and receive God’s mercy and to be a better man after a regretful decision."
Cerith Gardiner, Aleteia, Jan 28, 2020
May his soul Rest in Peace
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