Rome RMG - October 2020 - From 27 to 29 October, the meeting of the Department for Missions with the Mission Animation Delegates of the Central and Northern Europe Region took place online. Dialogue, formation and sharing were the ingredients put forth, in addition to mutual knowledge. Fr Alfred Maravilla, General Councilor for the Missions, discussed the theme of missionary animation; Fr Pavel Ženisek illustrated the role of the Delegate for Mission Animation and the work in synergy in the Provinces; Marco Fulgaro led the reflection on the themes of mission volunteering and work with refugees and displaced persons. Finally, Fr George Menamparampil spoke about Salesian Mission Day, providing very useful suggestions for pastoral animation. The meeting was a very important moment, the first step in the Sector's journey in this six-year term, especially for the wealth of mutual confrontation.

(ANS - Rome) - Fr Stefano Vanoli, a Lombard Salesian, born in 1968, has been the Secretary of the General Council since 2015 and at the 28th General Chapter he was its Regulator. Today he talks a little about himself and his post.

Rome, RMG - October 2020 - The meeting of the 15 Provincial Delegates for Formation of the Salesian Provinces of the Africa-Madagascar Region took place from 16 to 20 October through the Zoom platform. The meeting was chaired by Fr Ivo Coelho, General Councilor for Formation, assisted by Fr Silvio Roggia and Salesian Brother Raymond Callo, of the same Department. Also present were Fr José Elégbédé, Delegate for Formation of the Conference of Provinces and Vice Provinces of Africa-Madagascar (CIVAM), Fr Camiel Swertvagher and Fr Francois Dufour, of the Salesian Formation Center for Africa and Madagascar (SAFCAM), and Fr Alphonse Owoudu, Councilor for the Africa-Madagascar Region, who participated in several sessions. The Commission discussed various issues of the GC28. Numerous suggestions were presented regarding the revision of the Ratio and the Criteria and Rules for admission. The Regional Formation Plan for the next six-year term (2020-2026) was drawn up. Strategies for the dissemination of materials on the Salesian Director and on Salesian Personal Accompaniment were also shared.

Rome, RMG - October 2020 - The meeting of Provincial Delegates for Youth Ministry of the Interamerica Region was held from 17 to 20 October. It was presided over by Fr Míguel Ángel García, General Councilor for Youth Ministry. Salesian joy and optimism were the keynotes among the 13 delegates participating in the meeting, during which they reflected upon GC28 and the Department's 2020-2026 program. As a central point, the summary letter that Fr Míguel Ángel García sent to all the Region's Provinces was studied, highlighting important aspects such as: the care of the Educational-Pastoral Community (CEP), joint formation and accompaniment of different environments of the Provinces, trying to promote the Oratories-Youth Centers, the Social Works, the identity of the Parishes entrusted to the Salesians and the Salesian Youth Movement.

(ANS - Rome) - Fr Alejandro Guevara Rodríguez, SDB, a 47-year-old Spanish Salesian, has been the new World Spiritual Animator of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) since last 20 September, when the Marian Day in Turin-Valdocco took place.  This is how he presents himself to the members of the association and to the whole Salesian Family.

(ANS - Rome) - At first he led the Special Circumscription "Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta" as Provincial, then he accepted the challenge of animating a newly established Region - the Mediterranean, after the GC27, as Councilor: Fr Stefano Martoglio, today Vicar of the Rector Major, is a Salesian with a lengthy résumé, a Salesian who takes on his responsibilities full on. Today he tells ANS about his recent past and his dreams for the future.