The imagination of Sisters” “

Bobrujsk (Belarus): a surprising Magnificat “Faith is reviving in Belarus – writes Sister Iryna Bartsevich – but not much resources are available for animation, especially among the young. That’s why we have made a start ourselves… “. The enterprise of the young community of Salesian Sisters and of the boys and girls who have shared with them the start of the mission in Bobrujsk, has been rewarded by a CD recording of 11 pieces of liturgical music for choir. News of the CD soon spread in the diocese and many parishes have invited the Magnificat choir to sing for their own communities. “It’s a real miracle – continues Sister Iryna –. The members of the group have no musical preparation, but they sing very well. Under the guidance of Sister Alla Valiukevich and two other sisters they have begun to combine vocal and instrumental music. For some of them the experience is also a way of deepening their own faith”. In the months ahead Magnificat is planning a musical festival. Veyrier (Switzerland): children of 65 nationalities together La Salésienne, at Veyrier-Geneva, is a Salesian primary and nursery school where 300 boys and girls of different ethnic groups, cultures, religions and nationalities (65 no less!) amicably mix together. At this time when fears for the explosion of new world conflicts are growing, to speak of peace and mutual acceptance means challenging the future. But the community of teachers here firmly believes in it. That’s why all the school’s projects have as their underlying slogan: Together let’s build peace. One of the most significant experiences was the ecumenical celebration with the participation of the Rabbi of the liberal Synagogue of Geneva; of representatives of the Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu Communities; of a pastor of the Calvinist Church; of the Catholic parish priest of the town and the President of the La Salésienne Association. Tbilisi (Georgia): joy, a language that unites The Commission for vocational animation and guidance in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, has been active for two years. Established on the initiative of Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto, its members consist of women religious of various congregations: a Little Daughter of St. Joseph, a Daughter of St. Camillus and two Daughters of Our Lady Help of Christians. So far four vocational meetings have been held in which some 25-30 girls, aged between 16 and 22, from various places in Georgia, have participated. “It should be said – writes Sister Teresa Solniczeck – that the girls have not the slightest idea of religious consecration. They are familiar, even if superficially, with the experience of Orthodox nuns. During the meetings we try to present the various aspects of Christian formation. Some of the girls speak Russian, some Georgian, some Armenian. The common language is that of joy, friendship, community”. Varazze (Italy): child immigrants tell their stories The Sisters at Varazze live in a small apartment, at the heart of the San Nazario quarter, but their presence in the little Ligurian town can be traced back over a century. So they are by now actively involved in parish work, and in the nursery school, assisted by former pupils (boys and girls), families, teachers, young male and female volunteers of Vides (Salesian women’s volunteer service). Partnership with Vides and other associations has given rise to the Intercultural “Stories of Migration” Project which is involving the town’s schools, from nursery to senior secondary levels. As part of the project children of all ages are invited to enter a competition for which they must present essays on one of five themes: emigration from the local area to other countries; immigration to Varazze from other Italian regions, immigration from non-EU countries; immigration of local people who are returning to their birthplace; tourism.