My dear friend,The feast of the nativity of Christ is once more with us. Christ will be born again in l997 to save mankind, anxious to have love peace, justice and joy. This festivity reminds me of so many friends whom I came to know especially as World Delegate of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco. At the same time, this festivity fills my heart with joy, also because, with the help of so many friends, I have always been able to bring Christ to so many people. As long as God wills, I beg him to give me good health so that I may continue to work for my young friends till my last breath.
I am sure that you are anxious to know what type of work I do in Malta. In March of last year, I was given the care of Osanna Pia Salesian Youth Hostel, situated in 85 Rudolph Street, Sliema SLM 14, Malta. It is a Hostel for poor and abandoned young people, youngsters in difficulty, ex-drug addicts who after therapy are in phase of re-entering into society, young abused people and gays.
At the moment we welcome 8 young people but we have many others asking to join us - pity we have not enough room. Thus we have started, with the help of benefactors and Providence, a restructural work to add a few more beds. In these days I had to prepare for the night, a bed in my office to give hospitality to a youngster in big difficulties. In our hostel, we also host young people who would like to come to Malta to learn English or others who would like to just visit the Island. If you have any friends who would like to come over, please let me know. This service is rendered all year round. This is a new experience but also very difficult. But when we see all the necessity there is to help these young people, we find the energy to continue our work, with courage and enthusiasm. Our biggest problem is money, because the project is big and ambitious.
Besides the care of the hostel, I am also in charge, as Delegate of the Salesian Pastoral Ministry in Malta and PRO for the Mass Media. I write many articles on the local papers and a Sunday rubric on the paper "il-Mument" where I answer to letters of the young people, parents and educators on juvenile problems. I have various programs on local radios, always linked with interest for the young. I give many conferences in schools, parishes and associations and finally I am preparing three books to be published, one of which deals with the drug problem in Malta. I am also a member of the Maltese Salesian delegation and of various national socio-cultural and religious committees. I pray the Lord to give me long life to spend for my young people.
Not being, able to write a letter to each person, I am making use of the photocopier. If you come across other friends who could help us in our project, please present us to them or let them have our address. It is only through your help that we can continue our work and terminate our project. Any person who would like to send us an offering, can do this by sending his donation in the above address. I send you and your dear ones my best regards, wishing you a very Happy and Holy Christmas and a New Year full of celestial blessings from the Infant Babe of Bethlehem. Together with my young people, we remember you in my prayers. We will also pray for your sick people and deceased members of your family.
Yours in Don Bosco
Fr. Charles Cini SDB
Director