The documentary will present the work with the Roma people at Luník IX in Košice, at Orechov dvor in Nitra and at Poštárka in Bardejov. Through the testimonies of the Salesian family members and the Roma themselves, it talks about the work, difficulties and joys of this mission.
The uniqueness of pastoral work with the Roma is explained by a Salesian priest Peter Bešenyei SDB, a communications manager of the Roma Mission Center in Košice: “It is always about a relationship. Once the relationship is established, mutual prejudices break down. We, Salesians, offer immediate openness, friendship. We enter a Roma community simply as people. Many times, those from the majority group ask: "How can we help you?" and I always answer: “Just come to our Sunday mass to be among us.” The more we isolate ourselves, the more tension there will be and prejudices will rise. Conversely, the more experience we have of our interaction with each other and the more positive experiences we jointly have, the closer we become.”
Košice-Luník IX - The Salesians began to focus on the systematic evangelization at Luník IX in 2008. After a year of living in a block of flats directly among other people, they moved to a newly built Salesian house in the middle of the residential area to which, during the next two years, a church and a Salesian oratory were added.
After thirteen years of presence, the Salesians are firmly set here and have their irreplaceable place in the settlement. Over time, the number of those who have found their way to Salesians, either through conversations on a street, meetings, tutoring, mentoring, preparation for the sacraments, or even through social assistance, has been steadily increasing.
Nitra-Orechov dvor, Košice Collegium, Dominika Center in Rožňava - Salesian sisters are also involved in Roma pastoral care. In a Nitra Roma settlement, Orechov dvor, they run a Mother Care Center, where they care for young mothers with the babies and teach in a Roma school and a community center. In Košice, the sisters are launching a pastoral project for Roma girls in the Collegium of Maria Romero, and in Rožňava they have also established a Center for Children and Families called Dominika.
Bardejov-Poštárka - In 1990, at the invitation of Sr. Atanázia from the Order of St. Basil the Great, the Salesians got actively involved in the work with Roma youth from a Roma settlement Poštárka in Bardejov. During the first three years, their activities were carried out in the open air and later at the rented premises of a Cultural Center. In 1995 they bought a building, which they gradually reconstructed and today, it serves as a day oratory with the Church of Bl. Ceferino.
The Salesians have also managed to establish a church school at Poštárka. By merging the Church Kindergarten of Bl. Ceferino and the Primary School of St. Dominic Savio, the Primary School with Kindergarten of Bl. Ceferino was established in 2006. The school educates children from the age of four to the fourth year of primary school and mainly pupils from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Fr Rastislav Hamráček SDB,
Spokesperson for the Salesians of Don Bosco in Slovakia
