Dominican Republic – 2024 Annual Assembly of Salesian Cooperators: "Dreaming to transform hearts"
Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic – January 2024 - The Salesian Cooperators (ASC) of the Dominican Republic met at the Salesian Formation and Promotion Centre in Jarabacoa to celebrate the 2024 Annual Assembly, on the theme: "Dreaming to transform hearts". The activities began on 5 January with a representation of Don Bosco's childhood dream, followed by the presentation of the history of the local ASC centres, some testimonies and the sharing of different points of reflection. On the second day, Fr Juan Linares, SDB, led a reflection session on the Rector Major's Strenna 2024, entitled "The dream that makes you dream". A heart that transforms "wolves" into "lambs"", and interpreted it as achallenge for the Association to renew and strengthen itself in the ongoing growth process. Subsequently, the ASC experienced the oratory by meeting a hundred children from the La Joya community in Jarabacoa. Together, ASC and young people shared animations, songs and a representation of the Epiphany, and the children received gifts from the Three Kings. Finally, on Sunday, 7 January, the work of the assembly ended with the reflections by the ASC Provincial Coordinator for the Antilles, José Francisco Ortega, who invited those present and the Association in general to carry out an introspective look at the vocation of the Salesian Cooperator and their role among young people today.