Latest news with #Salesian
Herald Malaysia
13-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Parish of Castel Gandolfo joyful ahead of Pope Leo's Mass
Ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit and celebration of Mass on Sunday, the parish priest of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo shares the excitement and faith of his parishioners. Jul 13, 2025 Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus in his parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo By Sebastián Sansón Ferrari – Castel GandolfoIn the heart of Castel Gandolfo, the papal parish of St. Thomas of Villanova has in recent days become a center of gathering, faith, and service. The community is eagerly preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV, who will preside over Mass on Sunday, July 13. Speaking to Vatican News, Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus, the Salesian parish priest, said the faithful, religious communities, and volunteers of Castel Gandolfo have redoubled their efforts in both logistical and spiritual preparations. 'Every time the Pope comes, the town changes its face: it turns into a celebration,' he said with a smile. St. Thomas of Villanova parish church is an architectural gem designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, commissioned by Pope Alexander VII. The building, which passed from the Augustinian Fathers to the Salesians on August 7, 1926, remains, as the priest noted, a 'beautiful shared inheritance.' 'It's just like when you prepare to receive a guest at home,' said the Polish-born priest. 'You clean, you organize, you attend to every detail.' The physical improvements to the church include the restoration of the papal coat of arms, technical adjustments to the church's structure, and new lighting. Measures have also been taken to keep the surroundings clean and to deter birds, with the support of Vatican offices. Beyond the renovations, the driving force behind these preparations has been the community itself. 'I was pleasantly surprised by how willing so many were to help,' said Fr. Rozmus. 'For example, a group of Opus Dei women came from different places just to lend a hand. These are gestures that build up.' Young people have also played an essential role, he added. 'We finished the summer oratory last week and they immediately offered to help with liturgical services and crowd control. It's wonderful to see them so involved.' For the community, the Pope's arrival is not merely an event but a sign of unity as the Church seeks to implement the Synod on Synodality. 'We are experiencing an enormous gift,' he said. 'The synodal journey reminds us that we are a Church on the way, united despite a world so divided.' Recently, Pope Leo made an unexpected visit. 'He stopped the car and got out to greet people. It was a spontaneous gesture, full of tenderness. His smile, his closeness… that gives hope,' said Fr. Rozmus. In Castel Gandolfo, where faith and nature are closely joined, the parish of St. Thomas prepares to welcome the Successor of Peter with a spirit of family, hospitality, and gratitude. 'We want every detail to be an expression of our faith and our love for the Pope and the Church,' concluded Fr. Rozmus.--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
05-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo dialogues with children: "Build bridges from an early age"
Pope Leo has a dialogue with children participating in the Vatican's summer camp who gathered with him yesterday in the Paul VI Hall. With them also a group of around 300 young students from Ukraine, hosted in Italy by Caritas for the summer. Jul 05, 2025 Pope Leo XIV during his dialogue with children of the Vatican summer camp (@VATICAN MEDIA) By L'Osservatore Romano"Even as children, we can learn to be builders of bridges and seek opportunities to help others." This is the conviction of Pope Leo XIV, who, in response to questions from children he met yesterday in the Vatican, encouraged them to seek friendship with Jesus by attending Mass, welcoming those who are different, and committing themselves to building peace. The occasion was a midday visit to the Paul VI Hall, where more than 300 participants in the Vatican's annual summer camp program had gathered, joined shortly beforehand by an equal number of children from Ukraine hosted by Caritas Italiana. Responding to three questions posed by three children representing various age groups, the Pope engaged in an informal dialogue with those present. One of the event's leaders introduced the initiative, now in its sixth year. Coordinated by Salesian priest Father Franco Fontana and organized in a similar way to the youth centers of St. John Bosco. The theme for discussions at the summer camp looks at how to help children overcome prejudice in a time when it's increasingly difficult to talk, connect, and share words, thoughts, and even playtime with others. Attending Mass as a child The first question came from Giulia, who asked if the Pope went to Mass as a child. "Of course!" he answered enthusiastically. "Always, every Sunday, with Mom and Dad." He then shared memories from his childhood in Chicago: "Around age six, I was also an altar server in my parish. Before going to school — it was a parish school — we would attend 6:30 a.m. Mass. Mom always woke us up saying, 'Let's go to Mass.'" Serving at Mass was something he truly enjoyed. "From an early age, I was taught that Jesus is always near, that He is your best friend, and Mass was a way to find that friend, to be with Jesus — even before my First Communion." Pope Leo also recalled that back then Mass was in Latin: "We had to learn Latin for Mass, but then it changed to English for me since I was born and raised in the U.S." However, he emphasized, "What mattered wasn't the language of the celebration, but the experience of being with other kids serving Mass, the friendship, and that closeness to Jesus in the Church. It was always something beautiful." Building bridges Next came a question from Edoardo, who, referring to the summer camp's theme, asked how children can welcome those who are different. The Pope greeted the Ukrainian group in English, noting, "Experiences like this — meeting people from different countries, lands, languages, with so many differences between us — are very important." He encouraged the children to embrace "the experience of encounter, of meeting one another, of mutual respect, and learning to be friends with one another." Switching back to Italian for the rest of the group, he reminded them that Ukraine is 'a land that is suffering greatly because of the war.' Speaking to the challenges of communication due to language differences, he acknowledged, "Yes, it can be hard to understand each other." But he emphasized that when there is an opportunity to meet someone different, it is vital to learn mutual respect. "Don't focus on the differences," he said. "See how to live an encounter with respect — to build bridges, build friendship, recognize that we can all be friends, brothers, sisters. That way, we can walk together and move forward." The Pope admitted this isn't always easy: "Sometimes it takes special effort, because we think, 'He's not like me, she's different, doesn't speak like me… looks different…'" Still, he stressed the need to "learn to respect each other, to know that we can live together as friends." Working for peace Finally, Damiano returned to the topic of the conflict in Ukraine, asking what young people can do to build peace. The Pope responded that "even from a young age, we can all learn to be builders of peace and friendship." He offered practical advice: "Don't go to war, don't get into fights, never promote hatred. There are many small things even for you — like when you look at someone and think, 'I like those shoes, and I don't have them…' and then you feel envy or something unpleasant in your heart." Instead, he said, "Jesus calls us to learn to be friends, brothers and sisters to all. In that experience, whether we are Italian, American, Ukrainian — whatever our country — we are all sons and daughters of God." He urged them to learn from childhood "to have mutual respect," to "see the other as someone like me," and to understand that "they're not so different. 'They speak another language; I can't talk to them' — that's not true! There are also gestures. There are ways to approach the other. You can share a bit of bread, find a way to help." Pope Leo XIV concluded, "Even the smallest can start seeking opportunities to be promoters of peace, promoters of friendship and love among all."--Vatican News
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Salesian Missions welcomes Pope Leo XIV, first American-born Pope
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins the Salesian Congregation and Catholics around the globe to welcome the election of Pope Leo XIV — His Eminence, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost — as the 267th successor of St. Peter, to lead the Catholic Church and 1.4 billion faithful around the world. "The election of Pope Leo XIV will bring a great sense of pride to our donors as well as a deeper sense of connection to him and the Church," said Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. Pope Leo XIV — elected the first ever American Catholic Pope — is lauded as a unifier and is expected to foster a more global church. "More than ever, we need a strong moral voice to encourage open dialogue and inspire the global community and Christians worldwide to work for peace and justice," said Fr. Conway. Pope Leo's extensive missionary work closely aligns with Salesian Missions in focusing on social issues like migration and poverty. "As an Augustinian missionary for many years, Pope Leo XIV encountered people from diverse backgrounds and oftentimes in situations of extreme poverty," said Fr. Conway. "His missionary ministry made him much more aware of the plight of the poor and migrants. His choosing of the name Leo reflects the prior ministry of Pope Leo XIII who was instrumental in establishing the foundation of the Church's social teaching with a special emphasis on the poor and marginalized." On behalf of the Salesian Congregation and the entire Salesian Family, the Rector Major Father Fabio Attard offered heartfelt greetings to the Holy Father at the start of his pontificate. In his message, the Rector Major assured the new Pope of the Salesian devotion and prayers, invoking the Holy Spirit to guide him with wisdom and strength so that his ministry may be a beacon of hope, unity, and peace for the Church and the world. Fr. Conway said that he is excited and proud as both an American and as a member of a religious order about the election of Pope Leo XIV. "He brings a diverse background of experiences that will greatly assist him in his ministry especially as a pastor. His selection reminds us that the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church is still active and effective and that, when all is said and done, God is in charge. I take comfort in believing this," he said. Salesian programs are operated by more than 30,000 Salesian missionaries in more than 130 countries around the globe. Salesian programs provide poor youth and their families access to education, workforce development, humanitarian relief, youth clubs, health services, feeding programs and more. About Salesian Missions USASalesian Missions is headquartered in New Rochelle, N.Y., and is part of the Don Bosco Network — a worldwide federation of Salesian NGOs. The mission of the U.S.-based nonprofit Catholic organization is to raise funds for international programs that serve youth and families in poor communities around the globe. The Salesian missionaries are made up of priests, brothers and sisters, as well as laypeople — all dedicated to caring for poor children throughout the world in more than 130 countries and helping young people become self-sufficient by learning a trade that will help them gain employment. To date, more than 3 million youth have received services funded by Salesian Missions. These services and programs are provided to children regardless of race or religion. For more information, go to Contact:Laura Perillomedia@ Twitter: @MissionNewswireNewswire: room: View original content: SOURCE Salesian Missions Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Prep talk: Keisean Nixon of Green Bay Packers returns to Salesian High for honor
Keisean Nixon, the Green Bay Packers' cornerback and return specialist, was honored by his alma mater, Salesian High. (Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times) There was mariachi music, flowers, hugs, laughs and lots of sincere, emotional moments on Saturday night at Salesian High's annual gala in the school gym that helps raise scholarship funds and honor alumni at the 400 all boys Catholic school in Boyle Heights. Two NFL players, Keisean Nixon of the Green Bay Packers and Deommodore Lenoir of the San Francisco 49ers, members of Salesian's 2013 Southern Section championship team, were chosen for the Golden Mustang award that honors alumni and other supporters of the school. Nixon spent his senior year at Salesian and said it changed his life. "Never quit," he said of the lesson he learned. "I never let anyone put me in a box. I stayed true to what I dreamed about my passion to play football. When I sought out my destiny, I chased it. I never gave up. Salesian changed me a lot. I didn't have structure. I met a lot of people who cared about me. I learned a lot being here." It's the final week of the regular season in high school baseball for the City Section and Southern Section. Playoff pairings will be announced on Saturday for the City Section and Monday for the Southern Section. Advertisement This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Prep talk: Keisean Nixon of Green Bay Packers returns to Salesian High for honor
There was mariachi music, flowers, hugs, laughs and lots of sincere, emotional moments on Saturday night at Salesian High's annual gala in the school gym that helps raise scholarship funds and honor alumni at the 400 all boys Catholic school in Boyle Heights. Two NFL players, Keisean Nixon of the Green Bay Packers and Deommodore Lenoir of the San Francisco 49ers, members of Salesian's 2013 Southern Section championship team, were chosen for the Golden Mustang award that honors alumni and other supporters of the school. Nixon spent his senior year at Salesian and said it changed his life. 'Never quit,' he said of the lesson he learned. 'I never let anyone put me in a box. I stayed true to what I dreamed about my passion to play football. When I sought out my destiny, I chased it. I never gave up. Salesian changed me a lot. I didn't have structure. I met a lot of people who cared about me. I learned a lot being here.' It's the final week of the regular season in high school baseball for the City Section and Southern Section. Playoff pairings will be announced on Saturday for the City Section and Monday for the Southern Section. This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email
