DON BOSCO – FATHER OF MANY YOUNGSTERS

DON BOSCO – FATHER OF MANY YOUNGSTERS

This Article gives the report on the activities which took place on the feast of Don Bosco in Chingola at Don Bosco Youth Centre.
Don Bosco Youth Centre in Chingola celebrated the feast of Don Bosco on 31st January, 2020. The celebration started with Mass at exactly 08:00hrs.In this Mass, the main celebrant was Rev. Fr. Leszek the Rector of St. Callisto Calavario Community, Chingola.
In this Eucharistic Celebration, Fr. Leszek Aksamit emphasized on being Joyful and Happy though things may seem to be tough. John Bosco dedicated his life to the poor and the vulnerable children. St. John Bosco was a happy Saint and he shared his life with everyone. He wants us to be happy always because his mission was of bringing joy to everyone.
He further said that the full value of joy comes with sharing as we continue the life of being joyful as young people. Rev Fr. Leszek Aksamit concluded his Homily by sharing the important statement of St. John Bosco which says and I quote; “ It is enough that you are young for me to love you very much!’’ end of quote.
The Mass was so colourful as the Don Bosco Secondary School, Don Bosco Technical College as well as Salesian Aspirants led in singing during the Mass.
When the Mass ended, the Community had a photo session at the Grotto of ‘Mary Help of Christians’. After the photo session, there was official opening and blessing of the newly built Science Laboratory. On this occasion, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chairperson of Don Bosco Technical Secondary School, Mr. Kalobwe Kelvin, thanked the Salesian Community for their good work and urged pupils to take care of the Lab and the equipment because it belonged to them. He said, “This Science Laboratory is yours, therefore you have to take care of it so that even your siblings will use it in the coming years.’’ The Lab has been named after the Founder of the Salesian Congregation, John Bosco.
After the Blessing and Official Opening of the Lab, the Community went back to the Oratory Hall were various activities took place. There was Singing, Dancing, Miming and Quiz. Three groups took part in the quiz, namely the Junior Secondary School, the Senior Secondary School as well as the Technical College. The results from the Quiz were as follows: The Junior Secondary school were in third position scoring 72%, The College was in second position scoring 78% and the Senior Secondary scooped first position scoring 80%.
I was also privileged to interact with the young people from the Secondary school,  Constance and Chisanga who expressed their gratitude to the institution for the Science Laboratory. They also shared their experience of being at Don Bosco Secondary school, “Our experience of being here has improved our lives academically, mentally and also physically. We have found happiness here; the most beautiful thing is that we usually have Mass every week on Wednesday. This has also shaped our spirituality.’’
When the activities were done in the Oratory Hall, everyone had lunch.  From there people moved to the football pitch were football games were conducted from the fixture that had been drawn as follows: Secondary pupils played against the Aspirants and the pupils scored 3 goals against 2. The other group was College Students who played against Staff members and the students won; 4 goals to 1. The last game was against the college students and the Secondary Pupils. The pupils won 2-0. The pupils won all their games.
The  programmes ended at exactly 16:45hrs.
In the evening, the Salesian Community was joined by the Salesian Cooperators. They had Mass with the Rector. In this Mass, he urged them to be happy as John Bosco was a happy person. He always emphasized on being happy and sharing joy as his mission. After the Mass, the Cooperators joined the Community for supper.
Indeed it was great and memorable day.