He then declared that only thirty-five percent
of them will return to their Catholic Faith after
graduation.
To combat this problem, Father Vaccaro and the
Associates of St. John Bosco host free College Night
meetings for high school seniors. During these
meetings, he gives away what he calls a Bosco
Bundle™.
MAKE A CHOICE
Father Vaccaro and the Associates of St. John Bosco
encourage recent graduates to put something else
in their suitcase when they leave for college: their
Catholic Faith.
Father Vaccaro points out that unless there is a
deliberate choice to grow in holiness and a decision
to place prayer and the practice of the Faith as a
priority, then what often happens is the “busyness”
of college life begins to consume the students.
With so many opportunities for involvement on
campus, plus the academic time commitment, not
to mention cultivating friendships, the things of
God are not deliberately rejected, but they just
slowly disappear. Preparing properly and finding a
community that places God first in all things will
allow students not only to hold on to their faith in
college, but actually to grow in it!
At this time, the “Associates of St. John Bosco”
operate primarily in the Northern Virginia area,
but it would be a great idea for other regions to
implement such a program.
Seton graduates surely can help fellow Catholic
students by starting such a group to meet regularly
for support in the Catholic Faith, and to encourage
other Catholic students to attend daily Mass and go
to Confession at least once a month.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
The following is contained in a
Bosco Bundle™:
• Bible
• Catechism
• desk crucifix
•
Introduction to the Devout Life
by St. Francis de
Sales
• a book on relationships entitled
Men, Women
and the Mystery of Love
• a book about the practical genius of
Catholicism entitled
Rediscover Catholicism
• a rosary
• a prayer journal
These items provide a road map to living a Catholic
Christian life, guidance on questions of faith and
morals, and a blueprint for growing in faith and
friendship with Jesus Christ.
For $100, the Associates of St. John Bosco will mail a
complete
Bosco Bundle™
to any college student or
any parents of a college student.
ASJB.ORG
THE ASSOCIATES
OF ST JOHN BOSCO
36
BAYLEY BULLETIN, JUN-AUG 2016
