Father Juan Corti
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Father Juan Corti, a Salesian priest, was born in the northern Italy in 1925, he arrived to Argentina in November in the year 1948, to complete his priestly studies in the city of Córdoba, moved by his passion, and the visionary mission of San Juan Bosco, the Patagonia modern dreamer and willing to make those dreams come true for the promotion and evangelization.
Behind, along with his native Italy and her family, he spent two years as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp and from 1945 until 1948 he was in the city of Bologna (Italy) , in the Salesian College "Don Bosco", working as an assistant teacher for 250 students of vocational course in tailoring, shoemaking, printing, mechanical, attending every Sunday the Salesian Oratory with 400 children. During his studies in Córdoba, he asked to travel to Patagonia for vacation time, for a mission in a chapel located in a suburb in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia. That way he would know the city that he will definitely sent, years later, in 1952 after being ordained priest.
There, he was a teacher of mathematics and physics at the Salesian College Dean Funes while he was working in the oratory Domingo Savio and teaching pedagogy, philosophy and psychology at the National College Perito F.
In 1957, he begins to operate Domingo Savio Salesian College, first Argentinian Salesian mixed school in a big hall where he taught for most of 250 Chileans children who could not find their place in other institutions. In this first stage, he begins his tireless hard work with the boys and the population living in marginalized neighborhoods of the city. In summary, his task runs until today:
• The first (1957) Peripheral doctor (B. Jorge Newbery) from the city of Comodoro Rivadavia.
• 6 Medical Office Peripherals.
• Neighborhood Unions.
• Cooperative Water, Electricity and Gas.
• 3 Churches.
• Schools (EGB) of primary and secondary level.
• Superior Technical College Night and Day (First mixed Salesian School in Argentina).
• Multimodal and Vocational Education Complex.
• Early stage School (Kindergarden).
• School Canteens.
Today, more than fifty thousand young people have been trained in their schools, a number that represents the third of the current population of the city. Since 1954 he served as an assistant chaplain of the Ninth Brigade of the Argentinian Air Force, the first priest to come and celebrate Mass in the Islas Malvinas (Falkland Islands) in 1982 during the South Atlantic Conflict.
For four years he celebrated Mass in the Antarctic Bases: Marambio, Esperanza and Matienzo. In 1964, as chaplain of the Chubut Provincial Police, he dedicated his work to fight against the proliferation of child prostitution.
In 1965 the Italian Government recognizes the title of Cavaliere del Lavoro, and in 2004 he was received by the National Congress, first by the House of Representatives and then by the Senate, the nomination of Mayor Notable for his successful and outstanding work in Patagonia.
Now a days, his works depend on the Diocese of Comodoro Rivadavia guiding and continue growing, there are five schools: three elementary: "Ceferino Namuncura", "Juan XXIII", "San Juan Bosco”, “Technical and Vocational Training San Jose Obrero High School" and finally, a Beginner Level School "Juanito Bosco" by the initiative of the Ministry of the Province of Chubut.
3035 students pass through them, 212 teachers and 29 non-teaching employees. In addition to its educational role, the parish is home to 30000 people working for this task three Sisters of Divine Providence of Chilean nationality.
In 1995, an intencional fire destroyed the parish church and half of Juan XXIII School, which are rebuilt and expanded in 580 mts.2.
In 2000, another fire, destroyed completely San Juan Bosco School, with the help of many friends and people of good will, including his countrymen from the city of Galbiate - Italy, is done completely rebuilt and extended in 1200 mts 2, the new school was inaugurated on May 13th, 2006.
On the same day the school opens its doors, the Early Education School “JUANITO BOSCO” starts serving 200 children between 3 and 5 years. In October, 2009 during the celebration of its 84th birthday, a new floor of 750 mts.2 in the High School Technical and Vocational Training "San José Obrero" is opened, consisting of seven new classrooms, a physical laboratory of chemistry and a projection room. All the efforts of Father Corti and the Foundation that supports are directed to the maintenance, expansion and updating of all schools belonging to the Work, in response to increasing population and the poorest neighborhoods in need of assistance in Comodoro Rivadavia.
The work | |
Diocesan Works that currently support the Foundation are five schools located throughout the neediest neighborhoods in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia. The increasing population of these districts, generate a great demand in terms of education and control of their children and youth. There is no doubt that men are dignified by education and the access to "privileged" to study and build a future, was not available to children in these neighborhoods. This way, in response to this specific need, Father Corti begins his work that continues to this day.
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