(ANS - Mestre) - September represents a time of a restart for many Salesian Provinces, which in this period resume the programming and planning of activities for the entire pastoral year. This is also the case for the "San Marco" Province of Northeastern Italy (INE), which from Sept. 2 to 5 initiated a series of coordination meetings, accompanied by the General Councilor for Youth Ministry, Fr. Miguel Angel García.

Monteortone, Italy - September 2022 - At the Salesian house in Monteortone, in the province of Padua, from Sept. 1 to 4, social communication offices and teams from the Salesian Provinces of Italy and the associations "Salesians for Social," Salesian Cooperators, Salesian Youth Clubs and the Federation of Past Pupils, gathered for a training on the Infosphere and the digital. Leading the reflection on the topic of the infosphere began Pietro Del Soldà, philosopher, writer and radio host, who focussed on the need for everyone to have a "down-time", or leisure time to challenge themselves, renew themselves; Lisa Iotti, a journalist from the program "Report," on the other hand, pointed out how much the uninterrupted "buzz" that the digital world constantly generates disturbs and prevents people from finding a space to listen to themselves. She then presented data showing how the problem of digital illiteracy involves a great many young people, a problem that as educators we need to know how to deal with. Closing the formation part was Pietro Jarre, entrepreneur and founder of "Sloweb," who focused on digital ecology. The training moments were alternated with group work to share impressions, and think together about a meeting proposal on the infosphere for Salesian youth ministry.

Source: donboscoitalia.it

Catania, Italy - September 2022 - The usual annual meeting of young Salesians from the Salesian Province of Sicily in initial formation was held from August 30 to September 2 at the Don Bosco Hostel (Playa) in Catania. The Salesians experienced days of fraternity, relaxation and formation with the theme of projectuality at the center, carried out through the "Projectus Workshop," a tool created by Gigi Cotichella and presented by Fr Alberto Anzalone and Fr Dario Spinella. The workshop simulation aimed at planning in the vocational field for the preadolescent group. The third day of the camp was marked by two main moments: the visit of Archbishop Luigi Renna, Archbishop of the Diocese of Catania, who highlighted the importance of the Salesian mission front at a time of serious educational emergency, stressing the importance of "looking for the Bartolomeo Garelli in the oratory"; and the discussion between the Provincial Center's operational group and the young Salesians present. The camp concluded with a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Valverde and the Eucharist presided over by ISI Provincial Fr Giovanni D'Andrea. Conclusion, this one, that reopens to the pastoral activities of the winter that will see engaged, in the fronts of the Salesian mission, the Salesians who experienced moments of fraternity together before leaving again.

Dr. Pierpaolo Galota

Salesian Social Communication Team Sicily

http://insieme.sdbsicilia.org/cercate-bartolomeo-garelli-in-oratorio/

(ANS - Rome) - From Sept. 16 to 18, at the "Teatro Roma" on Via Umbertide in Rome, the national assembly of Salesians for the Social will be held under the title, "Organizing Hope - Dream, Project, Enterprise," conceived and designed together with the Salesian Observatory for the Rights of Minors.

Sondrio, Italy - August 2022 - On August 24-27, the first session of the 20th Provincial Chapter of the Salesians of the Lombardo-Emilian Province (ILE) was held. Salesians elected to represent the various houses and provincial realities gathered at the headquarters in Sondrio; members of the Salesian Family linked to local realities were also invited. The first day began with the presentation of the work program, the distribution of assignments and the setting of the work. Then, in the afternoon, the Assembly went on pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Tirano. In the following days, the capitulars devoted their time alternating between the work of the four commissions and the debate in the assembly hall. Among the themes, suggested by the Preparatory Document, attention to the vocational and evangelizing question emerged. On the morning of Saturday 27, this first working session was concluded. The second and final session is scheduled for the upcoming Christmas vacations. In the months separating the two appointments, the chapter members will be able to continue reflecting on the proposals that have emerged so far in order to arrive at more specific and targeted proposals, which will bring them closer to the drafting of the chapter's final document.

Source: salesianilombardoemilia.it

Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Italy - September 2022 - The Orientation Course for New Missionaries began on September 1 at Colle Don Bosco. There are 25 members of the 153rd Missionary Expedition, some of whom have yet to arrive due to delays in issuing Italian visas. During the opening Eucharist, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, General Counselor for Missions, emphasized that the course is intended primarily as an experience that helps deepen the missionary motivations of the participants and prepare the departing missionary for the initial challenges and culture shock upon arrival. "Let us open ourselves to receive and share our personal gift through group dynamics and fraternal life," urged Fr. Reginaldo Cordeiro, course coordinator. All members of the Missions Sector form the animation team. The course consists of 3 cores: the anthropological core, the missiological core and the charismatic core. From Colle Don Bosco, participants will visit Salesian holy places, then move to Mornese where a meeting with departing FMA missionaries is scheduled. The last three days will then be spent in Valdocco. The Orientation Course will conclude with the presentation of the missionary cross by the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, on Sept. 25 in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians. FMA missionaries will also receive the missionary cross from Mother Chiara Cazzuola.