Sliema, Malta - August 2016 - Bosco Summer School 2016 was held at the Salesian Oratory in Sliema. It was attended by about 215 young people over a period of 6 weeks. They played various sports, and engaged in educational, cultural, recreational and artistic activities. The President of the Republic of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Chris Agius, were present on the final day 31 August for the presentation of awards.
Puebla, Mexico - July-August 2016 – The summer activities at the Salesian Oratory in Puebla took place this year under the motto "Holidays with Jesus". Accompanied by young people of the Salesian Animators movement, the children participated in games and educational and spiritual activities.
Abidjan, Ivory Coast – August 2016 – For five weeks during this summer, the young animators of the oratory of Koumassi, in the capital of Ivory Coast, Abidjan, animate workshops of theater and dance and organize tournaments and games for hundreds of children and youth. The slogan of the activities is “My family is my joy”.
Today, Wednesday 3 August, at the Salesian Oratory in Aleppo, three Summer Camps for Children and Youth are starting. The aim is to shield them from the negative consequences of war and violence.
Ragusa, Italy - July 2016 - Grest 2016 at the Salesian Oratory of Ragusa ended on 23 July. Ragusa belongs to the Province of Sicily (ISI). The Grest was attended by over 100 young people, 30 leaders and about ten teachers. The Prefect of Ragusa Dr. Maria Carmela Librizzi visited the Salesian oratory where she was welcomed joyously with the Grest anthem.
Bellflower, United States - July 2016 - More than 270 teenagers decided to dedicate their holidays to children from the St. Dominic Savio parish in Bellflower, running the summer oratory activities, the so-called" Camp Savio" for four weeks. To prepare for the camp the leaders came together the previous week and participated in initiatives to prepare them for group training and motivational sessions, finally ending with prayer vigil.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – “Do Elderly Salesians have a role in the Digital Culture?”The answer in the letter “Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture” from the General Councillor for Social Communication
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the current digital reality, and due to the presence, especially in some regions of the Salesian world, of a large number of elderly Salesians, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, has decided to dedicate a special letter to them, entitled: "Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture". Here is how he explains to ANS readers today the origins, significance and perspectives of this document.
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of protection and prevention models": PGS conference with UPS(ANS – Rome) – The synergy between the Salesian Youth Sports Centres (PGS) and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome gave rise to the conference on "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of models of protection and prevention", which will take place on 13 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the UPS facilities in Rome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Latin America – Strengthening Vocational and Educational Commitment Today: 30 Years of the Salesian School in Latin America(ANS) – Since the first meeting in Cumbayá (Ecuador), 30 years ago, educational processes on the continent have found a collaborative epicentre which has given rise to the Salesian School in (Latin) America – ESA, in Spanish – as a forum for reflection and a common path. Many Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and other groups of the Salesian Family (SF) have enriched this synodal journey, focusing on young people and their integral development. What are today's demands of us in the educational field? How are we building the Salesian School of the future? Can we further strengthen this great Salesian educational network in America? Some FMAs and Salesians who were at the first meeting in 1994, share their experience and their vision of how this journey has allowed a growth in the understanding of the youth reality, in the strategic decisions within the Provinces themselves and in the challenges that emerge for Salesian education.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BOROROTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
Diary of a Happy and Blessed Missionary Day
Dear friends , I’m writing to you from Meruri in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. I write this greeting almost as if it were a journalistic report, because it has been only 24 hours since I arrived in the middle of this Brazilian state.