Mark O'Dea -- Son of Mary

The way I see it, I have two different types of days in a week: school days and apostolate days. The latter of the two would be what most people call a “weekend.” I minister with the other 1st-year candidates at the Don Bosco Youth Center on Friday nights, and I co-teach a CCD class on Sunday mornings. But the core of the dichotomy are the four days (Mon.-Thurs.) that I’m at Seton Hall University (SHU).

A day usually begins with me getting out of my bed at 6:40 AM after turning of the alarm clock that I had set for 6:20 AM. The community here has morning prayer at 7:00 AM, followed immediately by Mass; both will together be around 50 minutes. Everyone eats breakfast together, typically consistent of cereal, milk, bread, bananas, etc. Nothing fancy; we’ve got to be out of the house by 8:10 AM in order to make it to class on time.

I’m typically on Seton Hall campus from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Some choose to walk or bike home earlier, but most of us will ride home in the vans at 4 o’clock. My classes are scattered throughout the week, but Mondays and Wednesdays are the busiest. My courses for the semester are History of Philosophy I, Philosophical Logic, Roman Catholic Doctrine, Intermediate Spanish I, Journey of Transformation (CORE), and University Life (CORE).

Most days on campus, I'll go to classes for the day, then use the interims to do some homework, study, say the Rosary in the chapel, enjoy some down time, and maybe play some frisbee or racquetball with the guys.

We’ll get home at maybe 4:10 PM, and evening prayer is generally around 4:45 PM, so we basically have half an hour's downtime. I typically use this time to practice guitar, juggling, diabolo, or chess; either I practice something or sit down and read. Y’know, do something useful with the time, right? Anyway, we’ll have evening prayer, 10-15 minutes of spiritual reading, and the Salesian "Good Night" from one of the Fathers here. Once that's over with, we have around 15 minutes left until dinner. Some guys take that time to walk around the neighborhood together and say the Rosary. I used to do that, but since I typically say my Rosary earlier, I just take a 15 minute nap.

We have dinner at 5:30 PM and end at 6:15 PM. From there, most guys usually shoot off to do their chores; it's tacitly understood that the 15-30 minutes after dinner is "chore period". My chores this month are keeping the pre-novice’s classroom, the pantry, the workout room, and the boiler room in good order.

From then on, it's "free time". I do more homework, write papers, read, and am more or less studious during this time. If I'm ahead in my schedule, I relax. TV, juggling, guitar practice, web browsing, community-building (I.E. talking with the guys, playing chess with them, interaction) are just some of the things that goes on in my rest time. I usually end my night with a prayer, a song dedicated to Mary, Help of Christians: “Mother, Friend, and Guide.”

Rinse, and repeat.

Religious Education

The CCD class
-By Lenny Carlino-

Every Sunday I (and most of the other sons and brothers at the house here in Orange) are assigned to teach a CCD (religion) class at one of the local parishes. I teach 6th graders at Our Lady of the Valley, the church which is next door to the formation house. Every week we prepare a lesson plan for 1 hour of class Sunday morning. These classes may involve reading, arts & Crafts activities, group sharing, presentations, and/or prayer learning. After class we will then go to mass at OLV, which has youth music and a youth choir.

I can honestly say that I believe we learn so much as Salesians from these experiences of teaching CCD. First off, you learn how to work with kids in a classroom setting, and you learn so much about your strengths and weaknesses in teaching, usually surprising yourself with how much teaching ability and talents you really have.

Now not every class is perfect, so you also learn how to deal with kids, especially those who maybe are not as open to learning about their faith, and (for lack of a better term) “trouble-makers” or “energetic”. But that is an opportunity for you to really encourage the kids about the joys of our Catholic faith, and show them what good things God has done, is doing, and will do for them.

I look forward to teaching every week, because every week is a growing experience. Maybe the lesson plan will be interesting for the students, and I’ll know that I shared the faith in the way that Don Bosco would have wanted us all to do as Salesians. Or maybe it’s just one of those weeks where everyone seems to be out of control, and you need to step in. Those times are a chance to really put the preventive system into practice, and slowly learn how to deal with those situations.

In the end, education of the youth was and is one of Don Bosco’s strongest intentions in forming the Salesian congregation. Don Bosco said education is “a matter of the heart”, and the time in teaching CCD is our chance to connect with the kids, practice reason, religion, and kindness (the three basic principles of the preventive system), and bring the youth closer to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to understanding His love for them.

Matt Panozzo - Vocation Story

How I came to know the Salesians – Matt Panozzo

I have been discerning the Priesthood since my 10th grade year, maybe even my 9th grade year. It started off as a simple idea. At the time I had recently started participating more fully in my faith. I went from a bystander to a participant. No longer was I simply going through the motions or watching from afar, now I was active, and present, feeling the motions as I experienced the Mass. Much like a TV chef and the viewer; the viewer can only see what is presented, but the chef, oh the chef experiences it all. The dough as it is kneeded, the smells of the various aromas circulating in the air. The chef is ever present in the moment and looking towards the end.

You can guess that by jumping into the “kitchen” my faith life began to grow. I began to experience God in all different ways, ways I had never known. I began to form this relationship with Him. I was like his sous chef, and He was the head.

Throughout Confirmation, I found that the feeling subsided. In cooking terms, it was placed at a simmer. The flavors of life were to be infused together; it just takes time and low heat.

10th grade year passed, junior year began and with that came the college search. My heart was set on attending a Catholic college or at least a college with a strong Catholic community. I had found this college, Belmont Abbey College, by mere chance. I was planning on attending for a year, and then assessing where God was calling me. I wanted the college experience, and with this I would have growth in my faith life as well as the experience of total independence. My heart was set and I was all ready to apply and attend.

That summer I attended World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. It was a beautiful experience that brought me to where I am today. While in Sydney, Australia I attended the Vocation Expo which was on an ongoing event throughout the week long pilgrimage. It was there that I picked up a boat load of pamphlets on different religious orders. I was like a kid in a candy store. I loved it! I was rushing up and down the aisles picking up pamphlets left and right. A smile was beaming across my face!

A Month went by, I started Senior year, and I had yet to look at all the pamphlets. I just kind of placed them off to the side, or the back burner, and went on with life. I started the application process for Belmont Abbey and I was set on attending, I knew they wanted me for their constant barrage of emails and letters asking me to apply during my junior year.

Well it was September 23 around 9 or 10 o’clock at night when I had the idea to read through all the pamphlets. One by one I read them all, and I came across the Salesians of Don Bosco pamphlets. My heart just had this leap to it like John the Baptist’s leap in Elizabeth’s womb at the sight of Mary with Jesus. It seemed like a perfect fit. I just had to find the Salesians in America.

I’m sorry but I was not going to travel all the way to Australia, beautiful place yes, but that is too far away from what I am accustomed to. That would have been quite a leap to take right out of the gate. It would have been like trying to make lasagna when all you know how to do is boil water. It’s possible but quite an undertaking.

I walked to my computer, went to google, and found the Salesians of Don Bosco of the St. Philip Province. I saw that there was a “Contact for more information” box so I sent an email around midnight.

Expecting nothing to drastic to happen I went to school the next day, came home, and checked my email. Fr. Franco had emailed me back saying that Mary had brought me to the Salesians. He immediately, with few questions asked, wanted me to attend the November Discernment retreat. I did so and from thence forth I saw myself as a Salesian.

I still had doubts as the year went on as to where God was calling me, but I knew I was Salesian even if I never became a priest. The characteristics of St. John Bosco’s Preventive System were evident in my own teaching style that I had acquired from two years as a student teacher. Fr. Franco lead me through the application process and reaffirmed me as time went on. I trusted in God, and low and behold I am here today. I am at peace with my decision, and I trust God as he leads me where He may.

Official Induction

Yesterday, Sunday 1 November 2009, The five pre-novices were officially inducted into the pre-novitiate program. Justin Czupinski, Adam Dupre, Andrew Smolin, Eduardo Chincha, and Marc Stockhausen were received by Novice Master Fr. Bill Keane in place of the Provincial (as he was in Canada).

It was a quiet ceremony, taking place during Evening Prayer with the community. A Salesian confrere came from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey and many others gave their best wishes and congratulations. As a gift, we received a medallion of Mary Help of Christians and a hug from the Master of Novices.

During dinner, there was a bake off between Fr. Armand and Matt, a first year candidate. The two made their own cake and we sent it around for votes. After many many bites and deliberation, Fr. Armand came out victorious with his cherry walnut cake.

As we celebrated this formal induction into the pre-novitiate on All Saints Day, hopefully God may bless us. And with all the saints, let us all give thanks to God and for more prosperous years for the Salesians and the young.

Saint of the day

Bl. Martyrs of Douai
Feastday: October 29

A group of 160 priests trained at the English College of Douai, in France. They were martyred in England and Wales during the century following the foundation of the famed college by Cardinal William Allen in 1568. All perished at the hands of English authorities while laboring to reconvert the island. Eighty alumni of Douai were beatified in 1929.

Saint of the Day

St. Abraham of Rostov

Feastday, October 29
twelfth century

Apostle to the Russian people and founder of religious institutions. He received many graces even before converting to Christianity and becoming a model of the faith. Born in Galicia, Russia, Abraham followed the pagan beliefs of the region. He was stricken with a severe disease and called upon Christ in his sufferings, whereupon he was healed miraculously. In gratitude, Abraham became a Christian and was baptized. He became a monk, and went to the city of Rostov where he began his apostolate among the pagans. He built two parish churches as well as a monastery. Many institutions for the poor and suffering were also started by this apostle of the faith.

Thirsty?

I found that many times we thirst for something that we cannot find. Something that this world can't offer. As I thought about all this, I figured Youtube would have some insight (of all places).
check it out