Brazil - Accompanying development of Salesian radio stations in fulfillment of their great educational, pastoral and evangelizing mission
Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil - June 2022 - On June 11 and 12, representatives of four Salesian radio stations present in the Northeast region gathered for a meeting at the Provincial level, which began with prayer and presentation of each station. "This is the second meeting this year, and the first in presence. The main objective is to accompany the development of the radio stations in the fulfillment of their great mission, which is educational, pastoral and evangelizing," said the Delegate for Social Communication and Vicar of the Province of Brazil-Recife (BRE), Fr. João Carlos Ribeiro, who led most of the event's activities. Financial sustainability was the central theme addressed during discussions. The experiences of other radio stations were presented and moments of celebration and conviviality experienced. Broadcasters then made common commitments in addition to their own commitments. "One of them is to bring other areas closer to collaboration, such as journalism; then there are the Marian rosary and more frequent participation of the Provincial in the programs. These are projects that we will develop together," Fr. Ribeiro said. There are currently five Salesian radio stations in the Northeast region. Two are educational "FM Padre Cicero" and "FM Dom Bosco," from Fortaleza. "Radio Dom Bosco" in Caetés and "Radio Camaragibe," are community-based. In Recife, the "Amanhecer Missionary Association" (AMA), founded by Fr. Ribeiro, has a web-radio as well as 128 radio stations with its programs.