SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO- Roman Catholic Masvingo Diocese Bishop His Lordship Raymond Mupandasekwa has saluted the Salesians of St Don Bosco for their unwavering commitment to uplift and guide the youths.
Speaking at St Don Bosco’s 80th anniversary on Saturday Bishop Mupandasekwa said the parish’s founding figure John Bosco should be remembered for his commitment in naturing young people through the spread of the Catholic faith and the provision of academic and vocational training to youths in the local communities during his days of priesthood.
He urged congregants to emulate John Bosco in naturing today’s youths.
“As we celebrate 80 years today, let’s ask ourselves about what we are doing in naturing our children. Let’s teach our children to always do good. Our children should desist from drugs and substance abuse,” he said.
“In the history of John Bosco, we have heard that during his time, he formed a band to lure the youths towards Christ. Can’t we do the same. Let’s avail resources to lure our children towards Christ.
“Our youths should desist from watching football games in bars. Let’s install WiFi in our churches so that our children are spared from stealing WiFi passwords from learning institutions and other surrounding areas.
“Are we not able to do this to our children so that they are connected closer to Christ,” he added.
He urged the gathering to learn to share what they have.
“No one should die of hunger when we are there. Let’s learn to share what we have,” he said.
Bishop Mupandasekwa urged the youths to utilise available resources and work hard, giving the story of talents in the Bible as an example.
“Our youths should learn to work hard, utilising available resources because there is always reward for hard work in future,” he said.
St Don Bosco’s establishment in 1945 is celebrated for providing social services to the young people, saving as an important center for community development through providing spiritual guidance and vocational trainings.
St Don Bosco School started as a day and night school for men working in town with major employers for these men being the National Railways and the Cold Storage Company (CSC).
St Don Bosco Primary School started with one thatched classroom and a year later the classroom served the dual purpose of accommodating pupils for lessons and congregants, with Father Joseph Winter serving as the principal and priest.
The first black teacher to be recruited at the newly established school was the late Max Kwashira while Severino Nhariwa came second deputised by Ignatious Charles Chishambwa.
The parish developed, recording an increasing number of congregants. The growth trajectory continued with the birth of new sections, either from geographical expansion of the residential areas or through dissection of existing sections, which largely took place during the tenure of the longest serving priest, the late Father Kizito Mavhima.
On July 19, 1993 the then Masvingo City Council Housing Director, the late Adolf Gusha granted the church permission to construct a new building at its current site.
To date, a total of 36 priests have served at Don Bosco from the time of its establishment.
The founding priest was Father Joseph Winter. From him, successive priests came and passed through St. Don Bosco, some still alive and some departed, each leaving a distinctive mark that they are well remembered for and identified with.
