austraLasia #3186
"I
want you to be really happy in body and soul"
Turin: 30 January 2013
(with reference to Turin 3 January1876) --
*Turin, 3 [January 18]76
My dear Fr Rector,
teachers, pupils and everyone residing at Lanzo college,
Allow me to say
this to you and let no one be offended: you are thieves, I
say, and I
say it again, you have stolen everything from me.
When I was at Lanzo
you enchanted me with your benevolence and kindness; you
captured my
mind with your piety; there was just this poor heart of mine
left and
now you have completely stolen all my affection. And now
your letter,
signed by 200 dear, friendly hands has completely taken
possession of
my heart, and nothing remains but the keen desire to love
you in the
Lord do good for you, save everyone's soul.
This generous
movement of affection invites me to go there as soon as
possible and
visit you once more, and I hope there will not be too much
delay. When
I come I want you to be really happy in body and soul; we
will let the
world see how happy we can be in body and soul without
offending the
Lord.
I thank you warmly
for everything you have done for me; I will not fail to
remember you
each day in the Holy Mass, begging Divine Providence to
grant you
health to study, courage to fight temptations and the graces
you most
need to live and die in the peace of the Lord.
A proposal. On the
15th of this month dedicated to St. Maurice, I will
celebrate Mass for
your intentions; will you do me the kindness of going to
Holy Communion
that day so that I may go to Heaven with you?
May God bless you
all and believe me that you are always mine in J. C.
Your most
affectionate friend
Fr. John Bosco
* Don Bosco was at Lanzo two days before Christmas and had met
the boys
there: cf MB XI 337-338.
* The Rector was Fr John Baptist
Lemoyne: cf. E(m) II, lett. 853.
A purpose and a
reason for Education
Fr. Ambrose
Pereira sdb, Rector
“You have a purpose and reason and that is why you have chosen
to do
continue your education and training here at Don Bosco”, said
Bernard
Rapasia, CEO TVET and School Board member, to the audience
gathered at
Don Bosco Technical Institute, Henderson for the
Parent-student
Orientation held on 26th January, 2013.
“Your teachers are ready to take you on for a serious training
that
will enable you to give of your best and realize your full
potential. With commitment and hard work you will be
able to do
your best”, continued Mr. Bernard. While thanking the
parents for
their confidence in Don Bosco, he encouraged the parents to
care for
their children and cooperate with the staff to ensure that
their
children make the best of themselves and prepare well for
their future.
The School Gymnasium was filled with parents, candidates and
students
all keen to understand what is expected of them during the
school year
and fulfill them to the best of their ability. The
school
rules were highlighted by Luke Houpere, Deputy Principal
stressing
attendance and commitment. Coordinated by Sr. Bernadette
Wauki
fma, Instructors from the different departments outlined the
course
programme and spoke of the requirements therein. The
Admission
procedure was explained. The audience then had an
opportunity to
ask questions and get their doubts clarified.
In his welcoming words, Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb, Rector,
basing himself
on the Strenna of the Rector Major, Fr. Pascal Chavez sdb,-
spoke of
the need for educating students to lasting joy – joy for
themselves,
their family and others in the community; joy that will be
theirs
today, for many years down the line and finally the tears of
joy that
will be theirs as they graduate in 2015. He thanked the
Salesians, school board members, sisters, staff, parents,
volunteers
and the many that support and assist the Institution in the
difficult
task of educating the young. He made mention of the
International
teachers present – and the presence of Ian Bailey, Mahitahi
volunteer
aged 80 years, who has come to share his knowledge and skills
with the
young. He welcomed girls and boys to join all the trades
–
stating the fact that the best carpenters could be girls and
the best
cooks could be men.
During the holidays, the school received a fresh coat of paint
and
necessary maintenance has been done by Fr. Srimal Priyanga sdb
together
with staff and students. Don Bosco Technical Institute,
Henderson, has now completed a week of class with the second
years in
attendance. A Teachers Orientation was held every
afternoon. Camari Bainivalu, principal dwelt on the
school and
academic requirements, Penny Chilton took sessions on the
Pedagogy of
Education and Fr. Ambrose Pereira dwelt on the Strenna 2013.