(ANS – Poprad) – On Saturday 3rd November, the newly reconstructed parish and novitiate building was blessed in Poprad. Among others present were also those, who helped in 1985 in the construction of the works, of the diocesan property, but animated by the Salesians since 1990.

The celebration began with Holy Mass, celebrated by the Bishop Štefan Sečka. After the Mass, a procession led by the Bishop, accompanied by the Provincial, Fr Karol Maník, Salesian members of the order, representatives of the companies who had carried out the work, youth from the oratory and other faithful members of the parish community, went to the re-constructed building, which was then solemnly blessed by Bishop Štefan Sečka himself.

Fr Maník, at the conclusion of Holy Mass, thanked all the benefactors who had enabled the completion of the re-construction, saying: "For a couple of years, we were hesitant in getting under way with the reconstruction. We were lacking the courage due to the lack of funds. Finally, we had decided that we couldn’t wait any longer and that we'd take the same approach as Don Bosco, who was starting all his work without any money, but had also successfully finished all this work."

The state of the novitiate building, like other buildings in the parish, was preventing Salesians from fully utilizing it for their work. They feared the collapse of the roof of the novitiate, which at certain times was also leaking water for some time. Besides repairing the building in its most damaged parts,  they have also rebuilt the space for accommodation of the novices, thus being able to gather the youth and the Salesians from other communities. “We're inviting all the Salesians to join us and enjoy pleasant moments in the newly re-constructed building. The Tatra Mountains are beautiful. Come, you are welcome! " is the invitation from Fr Provincial, Fr Maník, and the other Salesians from the community in Poprad.

Published 15/11/2012