San Antonio, Texas
by Sr. Sarah E. Miller, FMA
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Counselors’ Retreat: Back row, left to right: Rowland Cadena, Sr. Sarah E. Miller, FMA, Daniel Herrera, Stephanie Oosterveen, Christina Martinez, Jeanette Palasota, Sr. Vicki Nieto, FMA. Kneeling: Fr. Bill Bolton, SDB, and Mark Fernandez. |
The Oratory at St. John Bosco School in San Antonio, Texas, has been in existence for the past eight years. It initially began with a few Salesian Sisters gathering some girls on Saturdays. It quickly grew and past pupils began assisting as counselors. This year we have made strong efforts to include children from the neighborhood, from public schools, and from other Catholic schools as well.
During October 1996, the oratory had a late start because Sr. Pat Fernandez (previous Oratory animator) had been transferred to newly opened St. John Vianney School in Goodyear, Arizona. Sr. Sarah Miller was asked to continue the work as animator. The counselors expressed the strong desire to "open the doors" to many more youth, and to revitalize activities. It was possible to do this only because Sr. Pat had dedicated so much time and energy to their formation. These young people were fervent, eager, enthused, and very, very SALESIAN!!
They requested that we invite public school children and children who did not attend St. John Bosco School; and so the research began. Many contacts were made, and posters, flyers, and signs were sent to the archdiocesan office, Catholic schools office, nearby parishes and CCD centers. One Saturday there was a "sending forth" prayer service where each one received a wooden cross. The counselors broke up into small groups and began to visit the neighborhoods, going door-to-door, explaining what the Oratory was all about and inviting the children and their parents and guardians as well.
One Sister has been extremely instrumental in making the dreams come true. Sr. Luz Moreno (a Bridgettine Sister who works in a public elementary school as a guidance counselor) met with me on numerous occasions. Strategies were worked on for ways of reaching many of the children she knew. The following week, the Oratory officially opened for the ’96-’97 school year. Prayer had paved the way, and the high school and college counselors were "hyped"! Five, ten, twenty, fifty, one hundred, one hundred and twenty...the children kept pouring into the playground! WHAT A JOY!!
More than 400 registered throughout the year, and more than 100 came as visitors. However, we have concluded that it is not the numbers that are significant. Every week the attendance varied, depending on sports competitions and other city events. Regardless of whether there were 100 or 200 kids there on a particular Saturday, the counselors had a goal: the children must know that they are loved! How many smiles were shared, how many tears were wiped dry, how many kind and encouraging words were said. In retrospect, the counselors and kids alike agreed that it was one awesome year at the oratory!
A young child asked Sr. Sarah why there was no Oratory in the month of May. She responded that due to the Festival (held on campus) and end-of-the-year events, there were no more Saturdays open. The child looked up at her, placed his hands on his hips and said, "Well, who said we can’t have Oratory just because there’s a festival going on? The playground will still be here!"
| Arts and Crafts: Sr. Anna Kim Nguyen, FMA, and Sr. Maria Refugio Gomez, FMA and children proud of their nativity scenes. |  |
There is yet one more story. This is probably one of the most touching. It’s regarding the little boy whose father was murdered. He came one day without shoes on. When asked, the adult accompanying him said that he didn’t have any. Sister measured her foot to his, but hers was a few sizes too big. She told the adult chaperone that she refused to allow him to leave SJB’s campus without a pair of shoes on his feet. Whispering a prayer, she ran on to take care of the other children and activities. Shortly after, an eighth grade parent came up to her to say "hi." Sister told her how disturbed she was about this little boy and asked if she knew anyone who might have some clothes and shoes. The parent left immediately and got many things from her nephews. However, the shoes were still too big. She left again unnoticed and purchased a brand-new pair of Reebok tennis shoes. When she returned and called the boy over, he kept repeating over and over again, "Ma’am, are you sure these are for me? Are you really sure? Nobody’s ever given me anything before. Nobody’s ever given me anything brand-new, either! Are ya sure, ma’am, that you didn’t make a mistake?" He said thanks and gave her a hug and ran off to play basketball in his brand-new tennis shoes, and more importantly, with his brand-new sense of self-love, dignity, and the joy of BEING LOVED!
May the Oratory spirit of St. John Bosco live on in the hearts of every one of us!
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