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(ANS – San Francisco) – Sts. Peter and Paul Salesian parish in San Francisco celebrated the one-hundredth anniversary of its church building on November 9th and 10th, 2024. Pastor Fr. Tho Bui, SDB, parochial vicars, Fr. Al Mengon, SDB, Fr. Vien Nguyen, SDB, and in-residence Salesians Fr. John Lam, SDB, and Brother Ernie Martinez, SDB, welcomed the hundreds of visitors throughout the weekend-long celebration. Conspicuously missing was 104-year-old Fr. Armand Oliveri, SDB, who was uncharacteristically under the weather.
Maribor, Slovenia – November 2024 - The lay employees and collaborators of the Salesian works in the Province of Slovenia (SLO), met on 9 November at the Don Bosco Maribor Centre for an annual meeting. The more than 90 participants came from 11 Salesian works, accompanied by the Salesians who work with them and were welcomed by Fr Peter Končan, SDB, Superior of the SLO Province. In the spirit of the next Jubilee Year and Strenna 2025, Fr Končan placed in the hearts of all the hope that they can successfully continue the Salesian mission shared for and with young people, thanking employees and collaborators for their commitment, work and bonds. The main guest of the meeting, prepared by Fr Gašper Otrin, SDB, coordinator for the formation of the laity, was Dr Gabriel Kavčič, professor of morals at the Faculty of Theology in Ljubljana and spokesperson for the Slovenian Episcopal Conference. His address, entitled "Young people in the world of dissolved identities", was a testimony to his work with young people, the influence exerted by the media and the education of young people. Fr Gabriel Kavčič stressed the importance of knowing the identity of today's young people and of carrying on the Salesian works while remaining faithful to the charism of Don Bosco.
Krakow, Poland – November 2024 - During the weekend from 8 to 10 November, Salesian past pupils, representatives of the Altar Liturgical Service (LSO), volunteers and companions attended the Salesian Leaders School (SLS) held at the Salesian Seminary in Krakow. During three intensive days, SLS participants and representatives of the Altar Liturgical Service took part in interesting workshops, held by qualified personnel, and activities that allowed them to expand their skills. On Fridays the young people and the people who accompanied them participated in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and on Saturday in the liturgy of the Word. The meeting ended with the solemn Holy Mass presided over by the Superior of the Province of Krakow (PLS), Fr Marcin Kaznowski, and with the delivery of the provincial scholarships to the most deserving young people of the Salesian Family. There was also time for integration and fun. The program was enriched by entertainment, including a field game organised by the newly installed Youth Council of the Province.
Text and photo: Julia Stankowska
Photo: Anna Cieślicka, Julia Stankowska, Wacław Szymalski