This year the Salesian "St. Dominic Savio" Schools in Zabrze, southern Poland, are celebrating their 25th anniversary. A vast program of celebrations has been prepared for the occasion; two events took place in the past few days: the Grand Jubilee Gala at the House of Music and Dance in Zabrze (Jan. 31, 2023), and the Solemn Mass at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of the Church in Zabrze-Helenka (Feb. 4).
The institute's students and teachers, family members of students, and, as a special guest, Andrzej Lampert, a famous Polish singer and tenor, with his wife, performed at the gala evening’s special anniversary concert.
Celebrated on Saturday, February 4, the solemn Mass was presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Gliwice, Msgr. Jan Kopiec, and among the concelebrants were PLS Provincial Fr. Marcin Kaznowski SDB and Fr. Andrzej Rolnik SDB, Director of the school. Welcoming the participants of the celebration, the latter noted that among the priests present at the altar he saws several past pupils of the School.
Bishop Kopiec emphasized that for the diocese the school is an emblem of good formation and education: "There is an organic and orderly framework of work here, not calculated only on one or another big event. It is a whole process of education calculated to have young people mature over a long period of time... All anniversaries lead to taking stock, but it is not just about numbers: number of students, alumni, award winners, Olympic and competition winners... It is not just the list of teachers and educators that creates the atmosphere of the school. Above all, there is the very important story here of good education and the formation of young people as they embark on an increasingly mature life."
The bishop also referred to St. John Bosco and his concept of educating young people, who must be given time and help to develop their talents.
In the offertory procession, representatives of the Salesian Sports Organization (SALOS) from the school brought game balls, while those from the oratory brought artifacts they made themselves.
At the end, Fr. Kaznowski said, "We Salesians have the role of sowers, at this first stage, and as a result, we rarely see the fruits of our labor. We leave these children and young people in the world and we don't know what will happen to them. Celebrations like this Jubilee give us some joy because we can see some of those fruits: those priestly vocations, the good fathers and mothers of families, the teachers among our students, the good citizens who serve the Church and this land, the rich and multicultural land of Silesia...."
The Salesian school in Zabrze began its activities in September 1997. A junior high school was established first, followed two years later by a proper secondary or high school. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, the school complex chose St. Dominic Savio as its patron.
The anniversary celebrations, however, are far from over: a "Family Picnic" is to be held in June.
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/news/item/17253-poland-25th-anniversary-of-salesian-school-of-zabrze#sigProIdd91d1ccebd
