Youth.Com, 4th Edition, February 2023

Youth.com Don Bosco Magazine, 4th Edition February 2023

Youth.com FEB

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TAKING RESPONSIBILITY JOY OF MOTHERHOOD SELF LOVE POPE FRANCIS LENTEN MESSAGE

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Editorial Frontline

Youth.com

Salesian Youth Ministry Department Ann Province.

Social Communications Department Ann Province

4th Edition A publication of The Youth Ministry and Social Communications Departments of the Salesians of Don

Rev Fr James Ailen Oriafo Sdb Rev Br. Samuel Olusegun Job Sdb Anthony Ogunsusi (Editor)

Bosco ANN (AFRICA NIGERIA-NIGER) PROVINCE DESIGNED BY Ajibajesu Paul Oluwafemi Efficient Creations +2347019011271 CONTRIBUTORS

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Cl. David Odogo sdb Natasha Osaghai Adekemi Ogunsusi Taiwo Cosmos Shodunke

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FROM THE YOUTH COUNCILOR

PAGE 2

FEAST OF DON BOSCO

PICTURES

PAGE 4

SELF LOVE

ANN Social Communication Austin Lucky

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POPE FRANCIS LENTEN MESSAGE

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TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

PAGE 13

EVERY MINUTE

PAGE 15

JOY OF MOTHERHOOD

Oustynlucky Media

Ajibajesu Paul Oluwafemi Freepik Stock images

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Youth.Com is a publication of The Youth Ministry and Social Communications Departments of the Salesians of Don Bosco ANN (AFRICA NIGERIA-NIGER) PROVINCE For observations, recommendations, and if you want your article to be part of the coming edition, mail us at youth.ministry@donboscoann.org contact us through +2349099959337

Fr. James Oriafo Ailen

M

P.Y. &. V. Councillor

y dear young people, I bring you

all the greetings and blessings of

our provincial. I am indeed happy

to present to you another edition of our Youth.Com E-Magazine with a lot of rich articles for your spiritual and human growth.

This edition is unique because it brings to you an extract from the Pope's message for Lent and equally a write-up of the celebration of our dear founder and father St John Bosco. As you know the essence of this magazine is to enrich you and to update you of some important aspects of our lives as young people. As someone once said that: “The youth are not the leaders of the future but the leaders of today”. Hence, we can become true leaders of today when we are given the right formation and possibility to grow.

The reflections on this magazine are coming from some of you my dear young people because we believe that you are able to speak the language that is understood by you our dear young people today.

In this edition, we bring to you the following articles: the importance of Lent for us Christians and Catholic, which is a moment of repentance and forgiveness as stated by the Pope; the splendid celebration of St John Bosco's feast in our community in Ibadan; the importance of

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self love in our world today; the joy of motherhood in our society today; what is means to take responsibility as young people and the appropriate use of every minute as well. These are the beautiful articles this edition brings to your door step today.

Finally, let us be reminded of the need to make good use of this period of Lent to fast away from Sin and be generous to those in need of our help in the society we live in and to be able to be more closer and friendly with God through our prayers.

Happy reading!!!!!!!!

DON BOSCO

DON BOSCO 2

FEAST OF DON BOSCO

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Cl. David Odogo sdb

t was a glorious moment of celebration at

the first position went to St. Ignatius Loyola,

Don Bosco Youth Centre Ogungbade as the

second position St. Mary's Egbeda while St.

Centre commemorate the feast day of Saint

Dominic's Catholic Church, Ogungbade

John Bosco. The day was graced by the

came third. Other presentations which made

presence of many young people from different

the day colorful include; Cultural dance,

places of apostolate. As Don Bosco rightly said “I

spoken words on Don Bosco, song

want no long-faced saints, let us serve the Lord

presentations, among others. At the close of

with holy cheerfulness”. To make this day a

the day, words of encouragement were given

remarkable and joyful one, a session of Don

by the Rector of the community Rev Fr

Bosco quiz was organized where all the

Anthony Oche Sdb and medals were

participants from the various places of

presented to the winners of the 2023 Don

apostolate participated, at the end of the quiz,

Bosco quiz.

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Taiwo Cosmos Shodunke

S

elf-love is an important part of a

and computers to connect to oneself or

happy life. When we love ourselves, it

do something creative.

becomes easy to go through life.

The best thing is that self-love helps us

There's no judgment, fear, or low self-

have healthier relationships with the

esteem, and instead, there's immense

people in our lives. It guide us against

gratitude and compassion towards our own

self criticism and inferiority complex.

selves, as it is a state of appreciation for

When you don't love yourself, you may

oneself that grows from actions that

neglect your own needs and feelings,

supports our physical, psychological and

and even make decisions that aren't in

spiritual growth.

your own best interest. Self love is a true

For many people, self love is another way to

win-win situation.

self care where we listen our bodies, or when

Self love is the foundation that allows us

we take breaks from tight schedules, phones

to be assertive, set boundaries and

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“

tHE ONLY FEE WAS PRAYER.

Pay no attention to destructive critics, rather , daily afrm your happiness about yourself.

create healthy relationships with others, pursue our interests and goals and still feel

the following affirmations to crush on

proud of who we are.

yourself:

To achieve self love, you need to stop

I am successful.

comparing yourself with others. Do not worry

I am confident.

about their opinion of you once you are

I am beautiful

convinced that you are on the right and holy

I am powerful.

path.

I am strong.

Pay no attention to destructive critics, rather ,

I am getting better and stronger every day.

daily affirm your happiness about yourself.

I am a vessel of wellness

Affirmations help us use the power of positive

I am unstoppable

words in reshaping our mindset. Think about

I am destined for greatness

how you feel when someone says

I wake up motivated

encouraging words to you. It truly raises your

I am an unstoppable force of nature.

self-esteem, doesn't it?

I am a light to my generation

With self-love affirmations, you can do the

I am a force to reckon with

same for yourself.. You can start your day with

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FAST PRAY SERVE

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LENT

T

he Lenten journey of penance and the

speak to us? First, in the word of God, which

journey of the Synod alike have as their

the Church offers us in the liturgy. May that

goal a transfiguration, both personal

word not fall on deaf ears; if we cannot

and ecclesial. A transformation that, in both

always attend Mass, let us study its daily

cases, has its model in the Transfiguration of

biblical readings, even with the help of the

Jesus and is achieved by the grace of his

internet. In addition to the Scriptures, the

paschal mystery. So that this transfiguration

Lord speaks to us through our brothers and

may become a reality in us this year, I would

sisters, especially in the faces and the

like to propose two “paths” to follow in order to

stories of those who are in need. Let me say

ascend the mountain together with Jesus and,

something else, which

with him, to attain the goal.

is quite important for the synodal process:

The first path has to do with the command

listening to Christ often takes place in

that God the Father addresses to the disciples

listening to our brothers and sisters in the

on Mount Tabor as they contemplate Jesus

Church. Such mutual listening in some

transfigured. The voice from the cloud says:

phases is the primary goal, but it remains

“Listen to him” (Mt 17:5). The first proposal, then,

always indispensable in the method and

is very clear: we need to listen to Jesus. Lent is

style of a synodal Church. On hearing the Father's voice, the disciples “fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, 'Rise, and do not be afraid.' And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone” (Mt 17:6-8). Here is the second proposal for this Lent: do not take refuge in a religiosity made up of extraordinary events and dramatic

a time of grace to the extent that we listen to him as he speaks to us. And how does he

experiences, out of fear of facing reality and its daily struggles, its

LENT

The light that Jesus shows the disciples is an anticipation of Easter glory, and that must be the goal of our own journey, as we follow “him alone”. hardships and contradictions. The light that Jesus shows the disciples is an anticipation of Easter glory, and that must be the goal of our own journey, as we follow “him alone”. Lent leads to Easter: the “retreat” is not an end in itself, but a means of preparing us to experience the Lord's passion and cross with faith, hope and love, and thus to arrive at the resurrection. Also, on the synodal journey, when God gives us the grace of certain powerful experiences of communion, we should not imagine that we have arrived – for there too, the Lord repeats to us: “Rise, and do

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 25 January, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul FRANCIS Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione Libreria Editrice Vaticana

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not be afraid”. Let us go down, then, to the plain, and may the grace we have experienced strengthen us to be “artisans of synodality” in the ordinary life of our communities.

Dear brothers and sisters, may the Holy Spirit inspire and sustain us this Lent in our ascent with Jesus, so that we may experience his divine splendour and thus, confirmed in faith, persevere in our journey together with him, glory of his people and light of the nations.

TAKING

RES PON SIB ILITY 10

By Natasha Osaghai Abuja- Kubwa Community

Taking Responsibility There is a global phenomenon that people

situation but you choose to respond to

are oblivious to which is rampant in the daily

them.

life of young people “The act of blaming

It is true that taking responsibility is not

others”.

easy, it can be really really frustrating

Taking responsibility for ones action nowadays

but it also can be empowering and it

seems like an extreme sport. Now take a

most definitely has positive impacts in

second to think about this, when last did you

ones life.

take responsibility for your actions without

Taking responsibility for your actions means you recognize the areas of Taking responsibility for your actions means your life that you recognize the areas of your life that you you can control and make can control and make positive changes to. positive changes to.

Majority of the time when we make mistakes, handing out blames or making excuses?

we find it very difficult to own up to it and take actionable steps into resolving it. Our first reaction is to deflect the blame to others or make excuses. This doesn't help oneself in anyway because it doesn't give room for any growth.

Taking responsibility empowers you to influence your life i.e. you are not reacting to

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This can help in different ways: Improving your relationship with others.

It improves your mental health.

Enhance your ability to learn.

Giving you a sense of control in your life e.t.c It is common to avoid responsibility for short-term relief but the long term consequences can be significant.

As mentioned earlier, taking responsibility is

You can start taking steps today with

not easy but it is a worthy action. Nobody likes

these few pointers.

that person who pushes blames to others or

·

Stop blaming others.

makes excuses, I am sure you know this ?

·

Stop making excuses.

·

Act, not react.

Mistakes are human and most certainly unavoidable and there would be forces

Start today and bit by bit you would

beyond our control, but how we react to this

get to being a more responsible

or respond to them is very important.

person. Trust me, you would love yourself more.

RESPONSIBILITY BLAME SHAME

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EVERY MINUTE 13

Every minute someone leaves this world behind.* Age has nothing to do with it.

We are all in "the line" without knowing it.

We never know how many people are before us.

We cannot move to the back of the line.

We cannot step out of the line.

We cannot avoid the line.

So while we wait in line: Please make moments count.

Make priori es (God's Kingdom First).

Make your me known. Make your gi s known.

Make a nobody feel like somebody.

Make your voice heard in posi ve ways.

Make the small things big.

Make someone smile. Make a change for good.

Make people feel your love.

Make up.

Make peace.

Make sure you tell your people they are loved.

Make sure you have no regrets. Make sure you are ready…

Every minute someone leaves this world.

Every minute someone leaves this world.

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The joy of Motherhood 15

ADEKEMI OGUNSUSI

The joy of Motherhood

I never knew what it entails to be

unbleached noise of my baby.

called a mother until that fateful

Wowwwww!!!! What a relief of pain

midnight when water broke out and

with sound that comes from the

drenched my multi-colored ankara

tenderness of my Baby.

wrapper.

Now I see why my mother want and

The time has come!!!!

pray so much for me(it worth it)

The pain could not be explained

Now I can boldly say to myself I am a

and I couldn't stop crying.

Mother

Tears of joy (I would be carrying my

Indeed the Joy of Motherhood knows

baby soon) accompanied with so

no bound

much pain.

God Bless all Mothers and grant those

After few hours in the labor room, I

who do not have a Joy of Motherhood

heard the beautiful, innocent and

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“ Wowwwww!!!!

What a relief of pain with sound that comes from the tenderness of my Baby.”

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Youth.com SALESIAN YOUTH MINISTRY DEPARTMENT (ANN PROVINCE.) SOCIAL COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT (ANN PROVINCE.)

Youth.Com is a publication of The Youth Ministry and Social Communications Departments of the Salesians of Don Bosco ANN (AFRICA NIGERIA-NIGER) PROVINCE. For observations, recommendations, and if you want your article to be part of the coming edition, mail us at youth.ministry@donboscoann.org contact us through +2349099959337