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Partnersinfaithmarch 24
Partnersinfaithmarch 24
Partnersinfaithmarch 24
March 2024
Holy Rosary Community
Noreen Placek, Director of Religious Education
Invoke Don Bosco’s special charism
As an educator and father-figure, St. “Always gentle and prudent.” It
John “Don” Bosco had a special was his experience that “gentle but
charism. He could touch the firm” or “quiet but stern” were
hearts and minds of more effective in discipline than
Pope St. Zachary rebellious youths anger or violence. The
St. Zachary was a deacon before he and inspire them to educator must strive to make
became pope in 741. As follow Christ. himself loved by his
pope, St. Zachary Follow his advice pupils, if he wishes to
skillfully negotiated for forming young obtain their respect and
peace for Italy against hearts and minds obedience.
the usually violent for Christ: “Never … correct in
Lombard clan and “See that the laws public.” To Don Bosco,
befriended the of discipline … are punishments were a last
Frankish king Pepin, made known.” resort and done in private
the Short, the father of King Children of all when it is more likely to
Charlemagne. He was a patron of ages benefit from have the child’s full
restoring churches and saving understanding attention. Never
priceless treasures from Byzantium clear expectations humiliate a youngster.
from being destroyed. Also known and the consequences “A humble prayer to God
for his charity, St. Zachary ransomed for deviation. He knew that is much more useful…” Don
slaves being sold in Venice and children thrive on routine and Bosco encouraged drawing on
supported St. Boniface’s mission in well-defined boundaries. And, Don God’s grace. The Holy Spirit speaks
Germany. Bosco believed that placing youths in to our children’s hearts in ways we
safe surroundings with good influences can’t. Inviting God into our
See with your heart removes the likelihood of their challenges might turn what could
Scripture says that God wants to committing sin. That encourages have been a fall-out into a
be intimate with us but it can be responsible independence. breakthrough.
challenging to feel close to
someone we can’t see in human
form. Remember that Jesus said,
“Call to me and I will answer you, Why do Catholics
and will tell you great and hidden
things which you have not known” bow during the Creed?
(Jeremiah 33:3).
“Do not worry During Sunday Mass, we recite Annunciation (April 8). Whether
about tomorrow; the Nicene Creed, and bow we bow or genuflect during
tomorrow will take when we proclaim the the Creed, the extra gesture
care of itself. miracle and mystery of the helps us to recall with
Sufficient for a day Incarnation. It is such a gratitude and reverence
is its own evil” central tenet of our faith that God became man
(Matthew 6:34). that we genuflect when “for us ... and our
proclaiming it on salvation,” when we
Christmas and the Feast of the proclaim our Catholic beliefs.