Salesian High School's Walk-a-Thon for the Missions

By Fr. Jim Heuser, SDB, President, Salesian High School

(New Rochelle, N.Y. – October 27) – As part of its observance of the 150th anniversary of the first Salesian missionary expedition, and responding to the recent invitation of Pope Leo on Mission Sunday—“Help me help the missionaries throughout the world”—Salesian High School held a walk-a-thon on Friday, October 24, in support of Don Bosco Apostolic School in Sri Lanka.

The choice to help Don Bosco Apostolic School was twofold. First, it’s the school from which Fr. Sasika Lokuhettige, who teaches theology at Salesian, graduated some years ago. A boarding school that serves as a home for 60 boys who come from different regions of the country, it aims to form the boys into men of faith, responsibility and service.

Second, Sri Lanka is one of the foremost countries in the world greatly impacted by climate change. Rising temperatures have resulted in a growing number of days each year with heat index levels (from 91°-104°) that warrant extreme caution. By all accounts, such heat greatly impacts the health, education, and sleep of students at Don Bosco Apostolic School.

During the walk-a-thon, Salesian High students and faculty walked 2.5 miles. They looped through the Salesian campus and adjacent Five Islands Park. Spirits were high as over $5,000 was raised. That amount of money will enable Don Bosco Apostolic School in Sri Lanka to purchase and install 32 ceiling fans in its classrooms and dormitories, and 4 air conditioners in its computer rooms and infirmary rooms.

At the walk’s end, participants enjoyed ice cream to mark the 24th of the month. Then Fr. Sasika offered his heartfelt thanks to the students and faculty for this simple yet generous initiative to assist another Salesian school on the other side of the globe.