Issue 13 Past Pupils’ Newsletter January 2008 This, our thirteenth issue of a National Newsletter, as usual, is a compilation of the Reports given by Local Associations and other officers on the National Council at our last meeting, which took place at the Salesian School, Battersea, London on 11 November 2007. It also has news about our decision to widen the effect of our Mission support to cover more than just Liberia, as we have done for the last four years; where we provided for Clean water facilities, Electricity generators and Medications to save lives from Malaria and HIV/Aids. We are now moving into Education as our Mission objective for 2007/8 in a number of African countries. Leaving the School Chapel after Mass, shared with the Battersea Old Boys Association, to attend their Memorial Service at the Ambulacrum for Battersea Old Boys and others lost in the two world wars. Father John Dickson SDB, Battersea Rector, leading the Memorial Service at the Ambulacrum. Father Sean Murray, our National Delegate, is to Father John’s right. 1 Issue 13 Past Pupils’ Newsletter January 2008 Nick Potter, Battersea Presi- dent, with Susan Cook from Florida and E J McCarthy, known as Mac. Some of the crowd paying their re- spects to fallen heroes from Batter- sea Past Pupils and others. Fr. Sean was invited to open our meeting with a prayer. Patrick Morrissey, National President, thanked everyone for coming at 0900 to allow National Council members to join with the Battersea Old Salesians Association for their annual Remembrance Mass at 1100. Fr. Joe Brown, Missions Director, emphasized to the meeting what a massive impact the late Sean Devereux has and how the National Council should build on this great asset. Father Joe also provided those at the meeting with a listing of upcoming Jubi- lees for the year 2008. These are of great men who will be celebrating key events in their lives as Salesians. I am sure many of our Readers will like the opportunity to mark the Jubilee(s) of some of those listed below, who were im- portant influences in their young lives. Jubilees of Ordination 50 Fr. John Booth Tue 01 July 1958 Fr. Brian Jerstice Tue 01 July 1958 Fr. Francis Sutherland Sun 13 July 1958 40 Fr. Joseph Brown Fri 28 June 1968 Fr. Des O’Riordan Sat 29 June 1968 Cont’d overleaf 2 Issue 13 Past Pupils’ Newsletter January 2008 Jubilees of First Profession 70 Br. Thomas Caulfield Mon 03 October 1938 Fr. William (Bill) Boyd Wed 31 August 1938 Fr. Albert Carette Wed 31 August 1938 60 Fr. Peter Burns Wed 08 September 1948 Fr. Brian Jerstice Wed 08 September 1948 50 Fr. Des O’Riordan Mon 08 September 1958 40 Fr. John Dickson Thu 15 August 1968 25 Fr. Keiran Anderson Thu 08 September 1983 NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT National President wished to progress the decision of the National Mission pro- ject for 2007/8. He had previously circulated to all Local Associations a pro- posal from the Salesian Vice Province in West Africa, proposing that we sup- port scholarships for pupils in various West African countries. This proposal was agreed at the meeting and is now firmly our 2007/8 project. It was agreed to fund the Tuition/Boarding fees, for one year, for 90 students in primary and secondary schools in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, at a cost of £13,500.00. Local Associations were asked to consider sponsoring specific schoolchildren, in order to further ‘personalise’, both the Appeal this year and the feedback next year, in terms of photos and details of the academic progress achieved. National President agreed to produce a daft for an Appeal poster to be used by all Local Associations, and for promulgation on the National Federation Web- site Home page. National Football Competition - 28 April 2007 National President thanked the Battersea, Chertsey and Farnborough Associations, and the Battersea School, for entering teams. He also thanked the Battersea Old Salesians Football Club for hosting the event at the Ewell sports ground, with their customary generosity. He was glad to report that as a result of the entrance fees paid, sale of Salesian memora- bilia and raffle receipts, costs for trophies and food provided were fully covered. Greg Sudell, the new President of the Farnborough Association stated that he hoped that next year he might be able to get the Salesian Farnborough College’s first eleven to enter a team. The meeting agreed to hold another Tournament for the “Don Bosco Cup” in 2008 , when it is hoped that Thornleigh and Bootle, who will again be invited, might each be able to enter a team. European Football Tournament National President reported that we had submitted a proposal for an international tour- nament to the Council of the World Confederation of Past Pupils, to perhaps coincide with the Eurobosco Congress. Unfortunately the Spanish hosts of the Eurobosco Con- gress were unable to organsie such an event. 3 Issue 13 Past Pupils’ Newsletter January 2008 Old Salesians Football Club (Battersea) later received an invitation to play in Barcelona against the local Past Pupils Association, but this also failed to come to fruition. It is hoped that some form of European inter-change can take place in 2008, possibly in Poland, through Peter Hunter’s contacts. From the following photos, it is good to know that our National President was flying the flag, as they say, for the Salesians and Battersea: The cricket ground in Mel- bourne , Australia. A place Pat- rick has been many times no doubt, as he worked for a few years in Australia. National President, Patrick Morrissey and his brother, John, both Battersea Old Boys, in front of the statue of Dennis Lillee at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Battersea Old Boys have twice won the “Don Bosco Football Cup”, but they also have a great affection for the game of Cricket NATIONAL DELEGATE’S REPORT Father Sean Murray SDB Tel: 0151 944 1039 Father Sean was gave a brief outline of his attendance at the Pamplona, Eurobosco which he attended with Peter Hunter. He was not aware that Peter would not be able to attend the meeting, due to family difficulties. 4 Issue 13 Past Pupils’ Newsletter January 2008 NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT John Ward Tel: 01895 257623 John Ward reported that, with the vital help of Father Pat Sherlock SDB, Pro- vincial Secretary, he was maintaining the National website www.donbocsco.co.uk/pp. John is looking forward to updating the National Website Home Page, to bring it up to date, with the promotional flyer for this year’s new Mission scholarships project in West African countries in 2008, just as soon as the final version is agreed. MEMBER OF WORLD COUNCIL World Council Member: Peter Hunter: Tel: 01924 361212 Peter Hunter was unable to attend this National Council meeting. It is hoped that a report by Peter on the proceedings of the Eurobosco (European Congress of Salesian Past Pupils in Europe) in Pamplona, will be available soon. BATTERSEA ASSOCIATION President: Nicholas Potter Tel: 0208 679 0126 National Council Meeting - Sunday 11th November 2007 The period from March to October does not include any events for Battersea. We have sent out the first letter for the 2007/8 appeal and early responses are very encouraging. I will have an up to date report available for the next meeting and National Newsletter. 5 Issue 13 Past Pupils’ Newsletter January 2008 Our membership roll continues to be circa 200, but we do have a steady trickle of older Past Pupils signing up - particularly those who feel a need to get in touch with their contemporaries after a long absence. Both the internet and our Newsletter “Maroon & Gold” have proved very effective tools in making this possible, especially where distance is involved. The main topic of interest is of course the future involving the demolition of the existing school buildings at Battersea to be replaced by a state of the art new mixed sex school with a Sixth Form. It is very exciting and if all goes to plan the new school will open in 2012. The public consultation process has now been completed and the Secretary of State has agreed to publish the proposals which will be determined by Wandsworth Council in January. We should therefore be able to give an up to date report at our next AGM in early 2008. The next chap- ter in the story, of Don Bosco's original foundation in the UK, is about to unfold and will present the Battersea OSA with an opportunity to double the member- ship next chapter in the story, of Don Bosco's original foundation in the UK.. Nicholas Potter - Chairman ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A very special event occurred after the National Council meeting finished. This was clearly inspired by the Battersea Teaching Staff, and a “Student Voice” meeting that had occurred in Bollington of the older students of various Sale- sian Colleges. A group of Battersea Fifth Form students requested a meet- ing with the National Council. At and subsequent to the Bollington meeting this group had developed a “Charter” which they wished to discuss with, and seek help from, the National Council of Great Britain. This group met in the School Hall with a delegation from the National Council, at which they presented their Charter and stated that they wished to share its ideas with Salesian Pupils in Europe. From this encounter the National Council delegation determined that Battersea Pupils’ purpose seemed to match the ob- jectives of the European Gex (Youngsters) movement’s objectives.
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