Catch up with some of the celebrations at Liverpool over the last half term.  Enjoy the sights for yourself! Click for photos

Liverpool Bosco Week

This year St. John Bosco Arts College celebrated their school feast in real Salesian style. A Salesian Ethos group was formed to brain storm ideas to help make the feast really memorable. With seventeen members of staff the raft of ideas was rich and very varied. There was a countdown with posters around the school announcing its coming. Each class had a large five pointed star with a word in Italian connected with Salesian values. The girls were encouraged to use the words and keep the value in mind for the day. The school resounded with the Liverpudlian take on: Ciao, Vado io, Rispetto, Bonta, Gioia! During the same Bosco Week we were able to use the huge Sport’s Hall for human Games, badminton, Art and Craft and board games. Each year had a day and some girls managed to sneak in a few times! We had a huge amount of fun and many laughs. There are even pictures of two helpers on the trampoline!! Friday arrived and we celebrated a wonderful mass. Sr. Connie and Sr. Pat had been to many classes for preparation called Bosco Focus during which they were able to draw the girl’s attention to Don Bosco’s belief in the innate goodness of all young people! This was picked up as the theme of the mass ‘Search for the diamond…’ The week was topped by the gift of a half day much appreciated by all. Surely Don Bosco was smiling broadly at this week of joy shared by so many staff and girls. Viva Don Bosco!

 Youth St. Vincent de Paul

The New Year saw the re-launch of the Youth Saint Vincent de Paul in St. John Bosco’s Art College. After the presentation last term of the aims and history of this initiative about 40 girls in Year 9 asked to become members. With more insight into what they would be expected to do and the commitment required, the girls are now going regularly to a nearby nursing home and nursery. Their presence is much appreciated and their genuine interest in those they visit is amazing. They are also learning to value the aged and see the potential in the very young.

 Liverpool, Vides Friends Sleepover

On Friday 29th January 2010 13 very lively and energetic pupils from St John Bosco Arts College, aged between 11-15 years arrived at the Sisters’ house to have fun together and fundraise for a good cause!  The theme of the weekend was ‘Share your diamonds!”.  It was an evening of games, baking, bingo, Bosco Art and sharing our gifts and talents.  Everyone had a wonderful night…and it was a long night!  The girls raised over £130 for their sleepover, which will be added to the fundraising for our Salesian Family in Haiti.  It was a great way to begin our weekend of celebrations for Don Bosco’s feast! He was very much with us in Spirit!  As the girls would say…’it was BOSS!’ 

Salesian Spirituality group Meeting (North)

“Called to be Light...bringing out the God-colours in the world” this was the theme Sr. Linda chose to lead and inspire us throughout our day of sharing and reflection on our Provincial Vision, Leadership for Mission.  For many, it was the first time hearing it. Saturday 6th February was a ‘new beginning’ for 13 of us (Liverpool and Kendal) who gathered in Liverpool to talk about and share ideas of how we could rekindle and share the responsibility of passing on the gift of our Charism to others in our local area.  Sr. Linda did a fantastic job, inviting us all, together, as one group to step out and reach out to others, offering them a deeper experience of faith, Salesian spirituality and mission.  What touched me most were the response, belief and enthusiasm that our lay people had in our vision. They saw it as the way forward and felt ‘honoured to be asked’ and felt like they had been given ‘permission’ to share in the responsibility of sharing and passing on our Salesian Spirituality.  We all went away enthused, re-energized, full of hope and with concrete ideas to take our first steps together.  There is great hope and God IS doing something new!  Special thanks to Sr. Linda for her gift of sharing and passing on our vision and charism with real passion.