afw newsletter january 2011

January 2011

January is for us the month of don Bosco. We cannot but not return to him at all times. As the Rector Major had urged us, this is what we did before General Chapter 26 in prepara-tion for the Bicentenary of his birth. And this is what we will do again, for he is for us the origin of all that we are and wish to be, of all that we do and dream to carry out in future as AFW Prov-ince, as local community and as each confrere. It is only by being faithful to his charism that we would be able to achieve what God is calling us to be and do in West Africa.

But to love him so dearly does not mean that we have to keep him to ourselves, guarding him jealously within our communities only, as if he could only be at home in our premises. Don Bosco belongs to the whole Church and he has conquered the hearts of so many people far beyond Salesian settings. He has done it all over the world, as is quiet evident from the en-thusiasm and welcome which the casket of Don Bosco is getting as it makes its way around the world. He is already doing the same in West Af-rica and his name is already familiar to many Catholic institutions oriented to the service of the youth, many choosing him as their patron saint.

But even those who are not part of the Catholic circle like to call on don Bosco. I often have seen this at police check points: when they stop the car most often they do not take much notice of ‘catho-lic mission’ written on the on the car-door. Many a time it is the name don Bosco that strikes their at-tention and often it is read out in a loud and livelily voice: “Don Bosco!”. Those who have a chance to familiarize themselves with his life are conquered by a sense of friendli-ness and admiration for who he is and what he has done.

This is a gift that we have from God our Father which we should welcome with gratitude. Don Bosco is a formidable passport and password in the history of our missions and presence. So many times it is clearly visible that he went before us to prepare the way; those who eventually called on the members of the society of saint Francis of Sales did not know much about the Salesians. But they knew enough about don Bosco and the trust they had in him prompted them to enquire and open doors. If we have this beautiful talent from God’s Provi-dence we should be able to invest it to the full, like the parable in the Gospel.Let us help to make don Bosco known far and wide beyond our compounds. Let us write about him, not only in our maga-zines… there are many who will be willing to host us on the column of their publications or in the hours of their broadcasting if we have something meaningful to communicate about don Bosco, his identity in history and at present, his way of educa-tion, his youthful holiness…

The Magnet that is Don Bosco

AFW Newsletter January 2011

A couple of years ago a seminar on the Pre-ventive system that was held in Onitsha to which all teachers from local schools were invited, proved to be so successful in mak-ing Don Bosco and his system of education known. Indeed, the biggest contribution we could bring to the Church in West Africa is the Preventive system and Don Bosco’s loving kindness in dealing with the young.

We do not need to worry at all about the out-come of this kind of sowing and promotion of Don Bosco. We do not need to check where the seed reaches and how it will grow. Don Bosco is a gift of the Spirit to the Church: it has within the same dynamism of the seed of the Gospel: fruits certainly will come, 30, 60… hundredfold.

In the Retreat with the Rector Major in Jo-hannesburg, he narrated how he was gently scolded by a journalist during an interview at the Generalate at La Pisana when he told him, “you Salesians wait for some trouble to happen for the media to take notice of you, while there is so much of positive and relevant ‘good news’ to shout out from the house tops that remain known only within your limited circle”.

‘Make good deeds good news!’ ‘Make ‘well done’, ‘well known’!’. We do not need to blow trumpet in a trium-phalistic way seeking for praises… The focus is not on our achievements but on the qual-ity of the gift that don Bosco and his charism are for the youth, for the Church and for the world.

Thank God we started this new year on the tune of art 43: “social communication: one of the apostolic priorities of the salesian mission”. The audio-video studio inaugurated in the Provincial House is already working around the clock to ‘show & sow’ making don Bosco known far and wide. Truly, Don Bosco is our greatest gift to the youth of West Africa, Don Bosco and his loving kindness, which is noth-ing but the reflection of God’s deep love for each and every young person.

Fr. Silvio Roggia SDBVice Provincal

“Don Bosco belongs to the whole Church and he has con-quered the hearts of so many people far beyond Salesian settings”

On Saturday, December 11th after the Mass of 6:00 am in the parish St François of Sales based in Koumassi Abidjan, we went direct-ly to the station of Accra. Accompanied with Sr Peace MENSAH, the Novice mistress of “Daughters of Mary Help of Christian’s” we left the station at 9 am and we arrived in Accra at 11 pm. We were welcomed by Sr Félicité GOE and Father Blamoh HARRIS SDB of the community St François of Sales of Tema who waited for us to drive us to Tema. On our arrival at Tema Ashaiman, we felt a great sense of reassurance not only be-cause of the long journey we had just made but especially because of the fatigue accom-panied with the stress we under went in the previous days. However, our stay here to Tema, still keeps us in the climate of the noviciate. First of all, we feel at home in the new com-munity as in Abidjan. The closeness of our sisters and the salesians helps us to feel like a family. We continue the daily classes and in the afternoon we have the English class with Mr Francis ADZRAKU. We also had a ses-sion on the management of conflicts. This last one allowed us to discover each other and to improve our interpersonal and com-munity relations. The session was marked by the various moments of sharing in group and personal exercises proposed. The ses-sion was a time of confronting ourselves and the acceptance of our personal reality. It was a beautiful opportunity to understand the crisis of Ivory Coast; we are delighted by this beautiful experience.

It is good to note also that the Salesians come for mass in the house at least twice a week and they show us a truly brotherly attention. Among many things, we participated with two songs at the end of the activities of the first term, around the Christ-mas celebration in Don Bosco Center. We were invited by the community St François of Sales for the meal and on Christmas, each of the three communities were together in the evening to pray and celebrate. It was an evening full of enjoyment of the coming of the Lord among us.In brief in the routin of every day, we pray for peace in Ivory Coast. We think and also carry in our prayers all the sisters who stayed in Duékoué and in Abidjan. We remain attentive to the news on the radio France Inter to know what is happening and to stay in communication with our sisters to know how they feel. We wish you a holy and happy new year of 2011. So that God may keep and guards you and protect you throughz out this year .


A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

As we all know, the political situation in Ivory Coast is still unstable and so as a precaution the novices of the Salesian sisters have moved temporarily to the Girl’s hostel in Ghana. We continue to pray for a peaceful solution to the political situation; while we understand and empatize with the great in-convenience that this situation has caused for so many people, we can also see some of the benfits brought about by the novices presence here. Indeed, it is a ...

Br Ricky has come to his new community in Ashaiman at the beginning of January after spend-ing some months in Italy as a time of sabbatical. While there he spent some months coordinating the the visitors and pilgrims to the rooms of Don Bosco, popularly known as Camerette. He had the opportunity to welcome many from AFW province while they were visiting Turin. Br Ricky had the opportunity to do the missionary course as part of his on-going formation. Here he tells us more about and recounts his experience. From the 20th of September to the 9th of December 2010 more than 40 men and women religious FMA, SDB and other congregations, coming from the four Continents, attended the so-called Missionary Course held at our univer-sity in Rome (UPS – Faculty of Theology). We 21 SDBs were accommodated with the Post-Novices at St. Tarcisius Community. Brother Sellam was also present.

The Course is compared to a “semester” of the university and the objectives focus three main areas: 1- The Human reality in which we live as missionary. 2- The influence of God’s presence in the world of today. 3- Pragmatic aspects of our activity “ad gentes”.We have had a very meaningful and good rela-tionship with the professors. Actually we didn’t feel much to be “students”, but a good friends able to share our personal experiences. The course ended with a wonderful week - pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where I had the opportunity to meet our brothers Paul and Em-manuel in Jerusalem.As a final reflection I can say that it was for me a unique experience that gave to me much energy, purpose and joy of being a consecrated person in the family of don Bosco.I thank Fr. Jorge who granted me this oppor-tunity and I wish all of you to be able, in a due time, to make it. Ashaiman, 11.01.11

A unique experienceThe Ongoing Formation Course for Missionaries.



The issue of self-reliance of the formation houses in our vice province is one of the important issues discussed in the Provincial Chapter three. In an effort to achieve this, Ondo Community, where the Pre-novitiate House is situated, proposed different projects aimed at help-ing the community at large but with specific reference to the Pre-novitiate house. The community depends on divine Providence but we trust more in the practical as-pect of divine providence as J. G Holland puts it “God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into the net.”

Farming is one of the major projects of the community carried out by the Pre-novitiate House. This project is divided into three departments: •VegetableGardenDepartment:Withthehelpof the well and ever flowing river in our farmland, we plant lots of vegetables. We have carrot, cabbage, pep-per, tomatoes, Okro, Green leaves etc•CropDepartment:Hereweplantcropsthatwe previously spent much money buying in the market. We have crops like Cassava, Yam etc. with it we produce Garri.From this year, these two departments will be more ef-fective as we have just been given a piece of land by one of our parishioners.• FishDepartment:Fishfarming,istheprocessof raising fish in an enclosed area. This is the most ef-fective project of the Pre-novitiate House. The fish pond is situated in the central area of the farm. The project started on 24th May 2010, the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, with some local fish from the river in our farmland. Due to the low productivity of the local fish, an experiment was carried out with about 1000 catfish, all in one pond.

With the little effort put into this experiment, we dis-covered that if we plan it well this project can con-tribute well to the running costs of the Pre-novitiate. Thus great attention was given to this project. We have just harvested the first set of fish from our pond; we sold some, smoked some and consumed some. To make this project more effective, a lot has been put in place like big pumping machine, clean well with constant supply of water, some construction etc. At present, we have seven fish ponds with about 4000 fish and there is a plan to dig more fish pond. The river and the soil type of our farmland contribute a lot to this project because without water and good soil fish rearing may be difficult.

With the little effort put into this experiment, we dis-covered that if we plan it well this project can con-tribute well to the running costs of the Pre-novitiate. Thus great attention was given to this project. We have just harvested the first set of fish from our pond; we sold some, smoked some and consumed some. To make this project more effective, a lot has been put in place like big pumping machine, clean well with constant supply of water, some construction etc. At present, we have seven fish ponds with about 4000 fish and there is a plan to dig more fish pond. The river and the soil type of our farmland contribute a lot to this project because without water and good soil fish rearing may be difficult. Joseph


FISH FARMINGAGRICUTURE: THE BEST SELF SUSTAINING PROJECT

INT

ER

VIE

WAFW Newsletter January 2011

Can you tell us something about yourself and your family of origin.I am Simplice TCHOUNGANG. I was born on October 28th 1980 in a very small town called EBOLOWA, in the South of CAMEROON. 9th child in a family of 11 chil-dren, I have always been proud of my parents who, un-der the Lord’s guidance, have brought us up. Up till today, “our Foot-Ball team (Family)” included our “Coach (Dad) and the Nurse (Mum)”, is still complete, no one missing; thanks to the unfailing love of God who, day by day, pro-vided us with food for integral grow: spiritual, intellectual, physical and affective. What was your first contact with the Salesians?The Salesians settled in EBOLOWA in 1983. I attended their primary school and when I was 9 years old, after hav-ing expressed my desire to become a priest, with the help of my mother, I decided to join the Altar Servers. I was impressed by the way the Salesians lived though I did not understand what it meant to be a Salesian or a Diocesan priest. The story of Don Bosco I read and all the images I saw inspired me.

When did you join the Salesians?I joined the Salesians in 2002, after my studies. I was sent to N’djamena in TCHAD for the Community experience in the Community of St Francis de Sales. There, I learned and understood another dimension of the life I was going to begin and what meant the Novitiate in our formation process. I was admitted to the Novitiate in 2003 where I found nice brothers with whom I walked the path of every Salesian Novice. I was born to the Salesian life in Septem-ber 4th 2004.

“Let us carry the Good News to

the ends of the earth”

Missionary Animation

How did your missionary vocation have its beg-ing?My missionary vocation, just like the first one is a gift from God. It did not come in one go and I did not really see it coming. I just felt that it was about time to give a hand to the provinces in need because we are all brothers of One Congregation. After having heard the difficulties of the Provinces of Spain, Papua New Guinea and Mongolia, I grad-ually thought we could offer them some confreres but when I did not see it come into realization, I then decided to offer myself to help Mongolia. I discussed the issue with the Rector Major during his visit to our Community in Pointe-Noire. He stressed on Project Europe and asked me to “be in my hand like an handkerchief ” I then offered my-self for Project Europe and few weeks later, I got a Mail asking me if I accept to learn German. learn German. After few day of introspection, I re-plied positively and the next mail was informing me of my new Province: Austria. It is really a big challenge but God knows better what is good for us and for those to whom he is sending us.The difficulty and the time required to obtain the Residence Permit brought me here to Accra, where I find not only a House but a HOME. I take time to learn German while waiting. I would like to invite my brothers to think and pray for Project Europe for Europe is really crossing a tough moment, es-pecially scarcity ofvocation and aging confreres.

SIMPLICE

One of our guests in Provincial house these last two months has been the young Salesian Simplice from Cameroon. Simplice had volunteered for the missions and he has been asked to go to Austria as part of Project Europe. We posed some questions to him while he was with us.


PRIEST AND RELIGIOUS

Sunday, 9th January, 2011, Ondo Community hosted the annual priest and religious celebration. The programme began with adoration at 6 pm in the parish. After adoring the Lord in the Blessed Sacra-ment, all priest and religious present, proceeded to the pre-novitiate sitting room where the programme took place. The honorable M.C, Br Chiemeka Utazi, SDB, briefly presented the programme for the night and later invited Fr Chris to welcome officially the priests and religious present to Don Bosco Commu-nity.Fr Chris in his welcome address thanked God for the graces received in 2010 and prayed for strength, good health and zeal to continue His work as we begin 2011. This was followed by refreshment, dancing and sharing of experiences in an informal way among priests and religious. The celebration came to an end around 10 pm.

CELEBRATION

Have you any final message to our readers?Let us carry the Good News to the ends of the earth. The Church is one and Universal, we are the Church. The Congregation is One and we are the Congrega-tion. Let us sing this song of love with our European brothers, let us dance with the appropriate rhythm and bring back joy in the hearts of our European brothers. A new invitation has been sent for Project Europe; please, let not our cry vanish. Help us echo it as far as possible, as deep as possible. Thanks for joining us.Danke für Alles und Gott signe euch. Frieden und Freude



It would appear it is a tradition to have an outing in every Salesian community either at the end or at the beginning of the New Year. After studying and reflecting as a community on the appropriate time to have an outing, Ondo community opted to have hers on 8th January, 2011. The community together with a Polish friend visited Don Bosco Institute for Philosophy and Education, Ogungbade, SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija and the zoo in University of Ibadan. The community later on went to Koko-dom where we took lunch and had brotherly sharing of ideas. One could also feel a good sense of humour among confreres. As part of the community outing, we also visited the family of one of our pre-novices, Charles Ike who lives in Ibadan. We had prayer and some mo-ment of sharing with the family. The community left Ibadan for Ondo around 4 pm. Although it was a “simple” outing, one could sense and feel the family spirit which is the hall-mark of the Salesian community.

Max

ONDOCOMMUNITY OUTING.

AFW Newsletter January 2011 AFW Newsletter January 2011

My names are Okolo Michael Chukwunedu. I come from Akwa Umuikwelle village Eziowelle, in Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State Nigeria. I was born into the family of Mr. & Mrs. John Nze Okolo on the 2nd day of October 1985 at Tafawa Barrack in Zaria.Although I was born in the North-ern part of Nigeria I had my for-mal education in my home town, Eziowelle because my father who was a machine Operator in Ni-geria army force of Zaria branch was later transferred to Onitsha branch (Eastern part of Nigeria).I had my nursery education be-tween 1990-1992, while my pri-mary education took place from 1992-1998.I can say that I started thinking of my vocation when I was in S.S.1 in year 2002. It was at this time that I became an a mem-ber Altar Knight. I completed my secondary education in the year 2004.Meanwhile I later went for my computer training at Nnewi in Anambra State from 2005-2006.It was at this time that I came to hear about JohnBosco for the first time from one of my friends. In view of my vocation discernment I sat for the interview on the 6th of May 2006.During my technical education I was sharing my inten-tions with some of the Salesians who rendered me help of which the late Br. Philip Avuleteh was one of them.

I became Animator when I was still in my first year because of in-terest in the young people. After my 6 months industrial training in the school, I made up my mind to apply so that I can start my dis-cernment process.

Nevertheless, after my aspir-ancy at Onitsha I was sent to Ondo so as to continue my dis-cernment process in the Preno-vitiate. The Salesians in Ondo inspired me also by their good examples starting from Fr. Ka-rikunnel, my Formator and some others. My prenovitiate lasted from 4th Oct. 2009 to 30th Aug. 2010 although there were times for break. I am now in Ghana where I am deepining my discernment process. Final-ly my greatest desire is to serve through the young so as to save my soul and theirs too.

I am Edwin Nyanti Gaywhea born to Mr. William Gaywhea and Esther Charlie in Harper city, Maryland County, Liberia. I was born on the 20th day of August 1986. I was brought up in Harper city, Maryland County. I attained my primary education in a gov-ernment school (Harper Elemen-tary Demonstration School). I at-tended Our Lady of Fatima junior and senior high school.

I completed senior high school in 2008 in Our Lady of Fatima high school where I got my diploma.I came in contact with the Sale-sian through Don Bosco magazine from my school’s library. I ex-pressed this desire to a sister of the Missionaries of Charity, who gave me the address of the Salesians in Monrovia. I finally wrote my ap-plication and started my aspirant program from October 3, 2008 to October 3, 2009. I was admitted to pre-novitiate which lasted for nine months. On the 7th of September 2010 I started my novitiate.My desire is to serve God through the evangelization of the young people.

My name is Okoronkwo Peter Sylvester, I am from Obinkita village in Arochukwu local Govt, Abia State, Nigeria. I was born into the family of Mr and Mrs. Sylvester Okoronkwo. I attended Amoba primary school Obinkita Arochukwu and I M T (institute of management training) commer-cial school from where I moved and completed my secondary edu-cation in Oghenevo Commercial Academy in Olodi ApapaAcad-emy in Olodi Apapa Area of Lagos Nigeria in August 8 2003. I am the fifth child of my parents, with two elder brothers, two elder sisters, two younger girls and one younger brother. I came to know the Salesians through the Ambassador’s cal-endar. After writing to them, I received the feedback from the Formators of the prenovices, pro-posing me to come for the ‘Come and See’ programme, scheduled on 26th of January 2008. After the first three weeks I went back home like the others participants. I con-tinued coming and going until the workshop program; the experi-ence lasted for one year.

Getting to know our novices(continued)

I

Through a letter dated September 5 / 2009 I was invited for the Pre-novitiate and after that year of dis-cernment I’m now continuing my vocational journey in the novitiate with my community in Sunyani. Along the journey of my discern-ment I came to value more my life as a gift for the young people. I willingly wish to offer more of my life to the young, especially those who are poor and abandoned, in the Salesian Society.

My names are Omatu Daniel Omatu; a native of Yala LGA; Cross River State. Born into the family of Mr. Thomas [late] and Mrs. Helen Omatu. I am blessed with five siblings of which I am the forth and first born son. My first experience with the salesians in 2008 was a wonderful and cap-tivating one. The processes that followed later are what ushered me into this year of proper discernment that is the novitiate.

To this day I have been asking my-self series of questions concerning my vocation, as I tried to express also in this short message in rhyme which I wrote in my Journal.

Complements of the seasonCould you please tell me the rea-sonWhy you want to become a dea-con?Do you intend to rescue someone from prison?

I am happy that you’ve found your vocationMuch more if it doesn’t become a fashionBrother: be alert on every occa-sionSo as to notice the signs that points to your mission

It is strange to me how you con-ceived this desireDid you hear a voice from the messiah?Was it you mama who asked you to aspire?Or it was in union with the Lord that got you inspired

Should the latter be true, who is the master?This might not make sense, but it matters.Mama used to say: two goods are always betterEven though your face was fash-ioned without you by the potter.

I love this family and I am so hap-py to be part of this great home.

The Prayer of St. Francis de Sales Be at PeaceDo not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them. He has kept you hitherto,and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you todaywill take care of you then and everyday. He will either shield you from suffering, or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.St. Francis de Sales 1567-1622


Don Bosco Fambul Freetown Sierra Leone –

May their souls rest in

peace.We regret to share with you the sad news of the sudden death of two of our youngsters from our Youth Centre; Mohamed Lahai, 15years, and Abu Bakar Kamara, 12years. This unfortunate event took place on Thursday 30th December 2010. In the morning of this fateful day, the youngsters of the Youth Centre, including Mohamed and Abu, had gathered together at the Salesian compound at Fort Street to go for an outing along the peninsula high way. Having arrived safely at the beach, Mohamed and Abu together with another youngster of the same age group entered the water playing hand ball. Unfortunately, after some time of playing together, the ball slipped from one of their hands and drift-ed a little way from the shore. In actual fact the three did chase the ball but one of them decided to return. It was he who reported that Mohamed and Abu had been drifted away by the water. He pointed out the area where he last saw them being swallowed by the water. When the alarm was raised, efforts were made to search for them in the water and even around the village, as others were not too sure they had entered the water. After a long period of diving by some of the young men in the community, Mohamed and Abu were found dead beneath the water hugged at each other. Their remains were later conveyed at the police station and then at the mortuary for postmortem. They were buried on Friday 31st December 2010.

Amen.


A three-day Interactive Visit to SVD Novitiate.On the 7th of January 2011; we departed from the house for a three day visit up the mountains of Nk-watia kwahu, home of the Divine word Novitiate; east of Ghana. We arrived there at about 5pm and we were welcomed in a very nice way, beyond our expectation.For most of us climbing the mountain was a novelty as well as a sight attraction. Up there one could easily feel the warmth and grandeur of Mother Nature; in the silence of the soul one could hear the lullaby sang by our mother to lure her chil-dren to go inside of themselves and redis-cover who they really are. Up there is ‘A home for the soul’.ThenextdaywesetouttogetherwithSVDNovices to another of their district situated a crossed the ‘Afram planes’, a lake which took us about 20minutes to cross via a lo-cally made boat . Over there some games and other social activities were organized. ‘It was not surprising that Salesians won the major competition (volleyball). In fact, ‘when it comes to games Salesians perform miracles’saidDiderick(SVDNovice]fromMadagascar;Returning home was not very funny; it was uneasy with some of us. The wind made lit-tle waves on the lake thereby making our boat to waver. At that moment what lin-gered on the minds of many was ‘what if it happens?’ Well, thanks be to God nothing happened and we reached safely the shore.ThefollowingdaySunday,feastoftheBaptismoftheLord,theSVDcommunityofferedusanoppor-tunity to celebrate the liturgy in a Salesian style.

One of the aims of our being there was to strengthen the unity that binds us together as one body of Christ. This was realized also through the interactive meeting we had after the Eucharist together. We shared our views/experiences on the gift of both charisms .To mark the close of the visit we had a football match which ended with a draw of four goals and a social- night where we were awarded certificates for having showed team work during the games. On Monday morning we had the evaluation and the farewell- rite.It was for us a moment of great graces and joy. We cherished every bit of it.


PHILIP AVULETEH REMemBRANCEOne year passed from the sudden departure of Bro Philip Avuleteh.From the 1st of January to the 9th – exact date of the anniversary – we remembered him every even-ing during the prayer of the Rosary, visiting his grave and singing the song he left us as his own motto: “I build my house upon the rock, I take my time, I do it well; I believe in Jesus Christ: I build my house upon the rock”.BrotherPhilipandVenerableSimonSrugi are our landlord in the Novitiate and we feel them very close to us. In the Chapel we keep as special relic the jacket that was sent to us from the Salesian house in Beitgemal, were Brother Srugi lived for fifty years. At his neck there is the cross of the final profession that Fr Jorge symbolically gave to Philip during his funeral. Going to pray every day at Philip’s grave we ask his intercession for our vocational discernment, so that we may be able to do a good vocational discernment and follow God’s will in choosing be-tween the two hands of Don Bosco, preparing ourselves to be tomorrow good salesian brothers and salesian priests. As well we asked him to help us to build a good community life, as he was a good community builder: ‘He was always united with his community members’ as Brother Paolo put it during his goodnight on the last day of the novena. The last day we celebrated the anniversary Mass and in the evening we were joined by our con-freres from the don Bosco community. We set chairs round the grave and we sat down saying the rosary with candles in our hands. Than we watched the memorial video prepared by brother Bayo Olukanni.

It was a memorable day which refreshed in our life the gift that Bro Philip has been and continue to be for AFW and particularly for our Novitiate House.

MAY HIS GENTLE SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE AMEN!

[Samuel Sesay, communication group]

AFW Newsletter January 2011AFW Newsletter January 2011

FOR YOUR DIARYProvincia CalendarFebruary 2 Presentation of the Lord8-9 Curatorium Utume (Kenya)15 Curatorium Lubumbashi (Congo)14-20 VisitofFrKlementVaclav20-22 PC Meeting (Ashaiman, Ghana)21-26 YM Course for post novices (Ibadan, Nigeria)23-28 Meeting for Rectors-Directors of Prenovitiates, Novitiates and Postnoviti-ates (Lome, Togo)

March(ProvincialVisitations)Post-Chapter National Assemblies & Provincial Feast (Each Country on a date to fix)9 Ash Wednesday11-12 PT meeting (National level)

February

01/69 Peter Kpen-Ana02/66 Thomas Thodukulam08/77 Daniel Libby10/80 Matthias Bonayiri11/79 Emmanuel Obi11/56 Michael Schmitz12/74 Anthony Oche14/82 Christopher Anso15/83 Linus Onyenagubor18/82 John Osezuwa18/83 Gerald Umoh20/82 Francis Olukanni21/78 Damian Akintemi24/83 Callistus Obiakor28/40VincenzoMarrone

March

02/78 Samuel Agudosi03/70 Piotr Wojnarowski05/53 Isaias Torres08/74 Francis Berisie08/86 Isaac Okoh14/82 Ephraim Amandi 14/67 Ambrose Anene17/84 Joseph Oraegbunam19/61 Jorge Crisafulli20/81 Michael Ebor20/84 Akinyele Cyril 21/84 Anthony Odior23/73 Patrick Sokuu25/83 Eshun M. Kwadwo25/40 Lionel Xavier26/32 William Regner27/78 Matthew Adetiloye27/78 Killian Kpogoh29/80 Anthony Ekezie29/71 Henrie Warbah

Richard Ebejer S.D.B.Salesians of Don BoscoPO Box 776 ASHAIMANTema - GHANA

Telephone 0302951893Mobile: +233 27 2910392

Happy Birthday


Fr. Campbell was born to Mr. Charles Campbell and Madam Mamie Messie Momoh, a Muslin couple, on 25th January 1961. Young Allieu followed the religion of his parents until he entered University Secondary School, a Catholic school at Njala.He was then enrolled in the catechumenate and received baptism in his second year in secondary school, with the name Charles, after St. Charles Lwanga, the leader of the Uganda Martyrs. It was during his secondary education that Charles felt the call to the Catholic priesthood. And so he pursued his priestly studies aster his GCE O’levels in 1977.After the Spiritual year at St. Kizito’s Pre-Major Seminary in Kenema in September 1977, Charles proceeded to St. Paul’s Major Seminary in Gbarnga, Bong Country, Liberia, where he studied Phi-losophy and Theology from October 1978 to June 1986.After his priestly ordination, Fr. Charles Campbell worked extensively in the Archdiocese where he gained a lot pastoral experiences from the priests with whom he worked. He served in various capacities in the pastoral field, interspersed with studies. In 1995 he entered the priestly formation ministry where he has served for the past fifteen years. In the seminary Fr. Charles Campbell lec-tured courses in Moral Theology and Pastoral Psychology. He also served in an administrative role in the seminary as Dean of Students. In addition to his official seminary duties, he was the priest in charge of the St. Paul’s Catholic Community at Regent.Fr. Campbell holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Philosophical Studies, a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degree in Theology, and a Masters in Theology (M. TH) degree majoring in Moral Theology. He also has a diploma in Counseling Skills, and an Advanced Diploma in Christian Leadership and Spirituality.Of his nearly twenty – five years in the priesthood, Fr. Campbell has spend about fifteen years in formation work in St. Paul’s Major Seminary. And he was still lecturing and serving as official Spir-itual Director of the Major Seminary when he was appointed the first bishop of the New Catholic Diocese of Bo.


New Bishop In Bo, sierra-leone

The 21st December, 2010 was a remarkable day in Don Bosco Technical Institute, Ashaiman. The school held, first of its kind, nine lessons and carols. The programme commenced at 8:00 am with an opening prayer by the principal Fr Blamoh Harris.

Eight of the nine lessons were taken by the various departments while the nineth lesson was taken by the secretary Madam Aurellia Okusu popularly known as ‘Sweet Ama’ who was also the M.C. of the ceremony. All the various groups in the school performed excel-lently. Different Christmas carols were sang. There were also different cultural dance and choreography, talks from the invited guest and from the principal of the school.

Finally, Christmas gifts were shared. It was a day of memory, one of the most joyful experiences I have had in DBTI Ashaiman. I wish the sun could keep still so that the day would be prolonged. But everything that has beginning, they say, automatically has an end. It was a joyful programme for all the students and staff.

Jennifer AborhorSecretarial two

NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS IN DBTI, ASHAIMAN


AFW Newsletter January 2011 AFW Newsletter January 2011

St John Bosco Formation House Ondo, in its prepara-tion for Christmas, organized NINE LESSONS AND CHRISTMAS CAROL. This was not only for the Forma-tion house but youths and the whole parishes in Ondo town were present.This Nine Lessons and Carol were conglomerations of some of the churches in Ondo town Like the Anglican Churches, C.A.C etc. It was a wonderful celebration. It is a Celebration because it was really a thing of joy for everybody present.

TheactivitybeganwithawordofprayerleadbytheViceRector Rev.Fr Chris and with a powerful Christmas mes-sage which was appreciated by all. Being a Nine Lesson and Carol, presentations of songs, drama etc followed after each Reading.

This was not only an avenue for the Prenovices to show what they are made of but also their Brother As-sistants Br. Joseph and Br Maximus showed to the faithful present their talent in many ways. For example by singing with their sweet and melodious voices and songs which lure other young people to come and see if really this is where God is calling them. It was a day which other Religions communities like St. Francis De Sales community, SSMA Community, DMMM Sisters Community etc showed to the people that they are talented.

With the sterna of Don Bosco DAMINI ANIMA CE TERA TOLLE youngsters were also given the oppor-tunity to show their talents like the Galaxy dancers, Grace of God singers and other cultural groups. And everybody that was in attendance especially Rev.Fr Chris (sdb), S. Joseph (sdb), and all the Salesians were happy. And with what Don Bosco said “love what the young love” we believe that morals can be inculcated in them. Fr Chris thanked all those who presented an item and encouraged them to “keep it burning.” Nevertheless,asthesayinginLatingoes“TEMPUSFUGIT”thewholeactivitycametoanend.TheViceRector Rev.Fr Chris sdb gave a few words in which he expressed his profound gratitude to the organizers, Religious Communities and he concluded by thanking everybody for honoring the invitation.

Finally, Fr Chris unlike St. John Bosco who after all the work done said “MARY DID IT ALL” gathered everybody together on a circle and together they all prayed and committed themselves under the care of our Mother Mary who was to give birth to our saviour “JESUS” with three(3)hail Mary’s. After which he gave the final blessing, wishing everyone a happy Christmas. And all departed in PEACE.This article was written by the entertainment group of the Formation House - Ondo

Formation House shares the

Joy of Christmas

afw newsletter january 2011

Documents

casket of don bosco

month of don bosco

making don bosco

don boscoafw newsletter

don boscos loving kindness

west africa

preventive system

system of education