Los Angeles, United States – February 2024 – St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Church in Chinatown, Los Angeles, celebrated the grand opening of the Mary Help of Christians Center on 11 February. Bishop Matthew Gregory Elshoff, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, and the parish priest of St Bridget's, Fr Peter Pong, presided over the cutting of the ribbon, with which the Center was officially opened. The latter will be dedicated to supporting the teachings of St John Bosco and will help the young people of Los Angeles become good Christians and upright citizens. Two other events were also celebrated during the opening ceremony, namely the wedding anniversary of the oldest couple in the parish, spouses Tom and Lily Lowe, who have been married for 75 years, and the Lunar New Year celebrations, with the Chinese community welcoming the Year of the Dragon.
Caja de Agua, Venezuela – February 2024 - The Extraordinary Visitation by Fr Hugo Orozco, Councillor for the Interamerica Region, to the Salesian community in Caja de Agua-Punto Fijo took place from 6 to 8 February. Arriving on the evening of 5 February, Fr Orozco began his visit the next morning, with a personal meeting with the four Salesians who reside in the St John Bosco community. In the afternoon he met the young people from the Salesian Youth Movement in Punto Fijo, celebrated the Eucharist in the parish of Our Lady of Fatima and met with pastoral agents and members of the Educative and Pastoral Community (EPC). On 7 February he visited the Salesian Pius XII School in Coro, where he also had a festive meeting with the young people and other members of the EPC. On the occasion, the Regional Councillor stressed the importance of the Salesian Family and the laity committed to safeguarding the charism of Saint John Bosco. His invitation was therefore to continue working for Don Bosco's "Dream that makes you dream". Finally, on 8 February, he met with the young people and staff of the EPES San Juan Bosco, and left them an exciting message to continue building dreams and fighting for the goals that God has placed in every heart.
(ANS - Mumbai) - The Salesian Provincial Conference South Asia (SPCSA) convened its Assembly and Council at Bosco Provincial House, Matunga, Mumbai, from February 8th to 11th, 2024. This significant event brought together Provincials from India's 11 provinces and the Vice Province of Sri Lanka, Provincial Delegates, Network, and Dimension Heads, along with specially invited members, totalling 42 participants.
(ANS – New Delhi) – The General Councillor for the Missions, Fr Alfred Maravilla, was on an Animation Visit to Jesus the Good Shepherd Province of New Delhi (INN) from 7 to 12 February 2024. The INN Province was founded in 1997 and covers 11 states in northern India. Over 220 Salesians promote the integral development of countless young people, most of whom are followers of other religions, through schools, Vocational Training Centres, university institutions, boarding schools and centres for youth animation, for social services and for the emancipation and development of children at risk.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – February 2024 - At 1:20 p.m. on February 13, 2024, the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime and the General Councilors arrived at the Tan San Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam where they were given a warm welcome by different representatives of the Salesian Family. Then they proceeded to the Provincial house of Don Bosco Viet Nam in HCM City, where they were also felicitated and welcome. Then the Rector Major and the General Councilors continued to move to the Retreat Center Don Bosco K'Long, Dalat, Lamdong (about 300 km from HCM City) to prepare for the Team Visit, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow. The Salesian family and young people are filled with enthusiasm and joy to welcome these Salesian Superiors and consider it a moment of grace and blessing for the Salesian Mission in Vietnam.
(ANS – Tirupattur) - In a display of grandeur befitting its prestigious legacy, the Sacred Heart College (Autonomous) celebrated its 73rd College Day. The event, held on February 10th, 2024, at the picturesque College Grounds, witnessed a convergence of students, faculty, esteemed guests, and cherished alumni.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
-
RMG – The missionaries of the 155th Salesian Missionary Expedition: Guy Roger Mutombo Mutshi, from the Vice-Province of Africa Congo Congo (ACC) to the Province of Southern Italy (IME)(ANS – Rome) – The final word from the new Salesian missionaries comes from Congolese Guy Roger, a missionary in the Province of Southern Italy. "My plans and dreams for my missionary life are to live in communion of spirit and action with my Salesian brothers in IME for the salvation of poor and abandoned young people, according to the heart of Don Bosco and to the greater glory of God".
EDITORIAL
-
Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
-
Italy – Presentation of the volume "Giovanni Bosco, Predicazione"(ANS – Rome) – Last Friday, 22 November 2024, at the UPS, the Salesian Historical Institute (ISS), in collaboration with the Don Bosco Study Centre (CSDB) at the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome, presented the volume Giovanni Bosco, Predicazione. Introduzione, testi critici e note a cura di Aldo Giraudo e Massimo Schwarzel. (= ISS – Fonti, Prima Series, 18). Rome, 2024. The symposium involved numerous scholars who were able to illustrate the originality and specific value of this new text on St John Bosco.
SPECIAL REPORTS
-
United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful, supportive environment(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring the Catholic World Day of Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.
United States – CATHOLIC WORLD DAY OF PEACE: Salesian Missions highlights programs that lead to peaceful, supportive environment(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins Catholic organizations around the globe in honoring the Catholic World Day of Peace. Every year on Jan. 1, the Pope marks the day with a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace. Pope Paul VI established the day in 1967. The day was first observed on Jan. 1, 1968.Pope Francis focused his message for the day on the theme “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace” inspired by his encyclical letters Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti. The day focuses on hope and reconciliation and represents “a call to conversion, not oriented toward condemnation but toward reconciling and being reconciled.”The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development noted that by “considering the reality of conflicts and social sins afflicting humanity today in light of the hope inherent in the jubilee tradition of the forgiveness of sins concrete principles emerge that can lead to a much-needed spiritual, social, economic, ecological, and cultural change.”To mark Catholic World Day of Peace 2025, Salesian Missions is proud to highlight programs that address social and economic needs of youth that lead to a peaceful and supportive environment.DOMINICAN REPUBLICMore than 9,700 Haitian refugees and their families, who fled their home country due to the ongoing political crises and settled in the community of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, have received meals to support their nutritional needs. The meals were provided through a partnership between Rise Against Hunger and Salesian Missions. Daughters of Mary Help of Christians distributed the meals to families in need during the first half of 2024.Most of the recipients work in construction or engage in maintenance work at a Salesian school. Many workers are undocumented and live in isolated places with their families in small, rented houses. They are not always paid fairly and have few labor benefits due to their migration status.A Salesian explained, “The socio-political situation in Haiti continues to be a major difficulty, as workers are often exposed to unfair treatment, the risk of deportation and living in precarious conditions because they have entered the country illegally. The distribution of food helps to reduce some of these dangers. Some of them are very shy, and they show fear when you first interact with them and can resist help. However, the help they received has made them feel welcomed and has allowed them to integrate better into the life of the community and open up.”ECUADORYouth attending programs at the Salesian Madre del Salvador Center, in the Santa Marta neighborhood in the Parish of La Merced, Ecuador, have a new recreation and sports area thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. Youth and their families in the area live in situations of vulnerability, poverty and danger from violence due to gangs and drug trafficking. Located on the Esmeraldas River, the area also suffers from flooding and high pollution.Youth need a refuge and a place to feel safe, and the donation impacted the lives of 143 youth. Salesians were able to use donor funding to make the recreation area of the center more welcoming, secure, and accessible so youth have a proper environment to play sports and engage in recreational activities with their peers.A Salesian missionary explained, “This project permitted the construction of a synthetic soccer field and additional recreational areas. The joy of the children and youth is evident. The new spaces have changed the environment, and youth feel a sense of belonging and dignity. This investment reinforces our commitment to providing a more dignified quality of life.”INDIADon Bosco Higher Secondary School, located in Perambur, Chennai, India, purchased 15 sets of interactive intelligent panel boards to facilitate a more dynamic and engaging learning environment for students. The boards were purchased thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions.The boards have been installed for classes in eighth, ninth and eleventh grades as well as the audio video hall for staff. More than 700 youth will be impacted by this new technology. Most of the students are from challenging family situations. The technology will also support 63 staff people. On special occasions, other classes will have access to this technology.One young student said that he found it easier to concentrate and grasp concepts better thanks to the new boards. Other students have voiced the same opinion. Salesians report that many students thanked the school management for having brought about this enhancement into the classroom. Parents have also been pleased.UGANDASalesian missionaries with Don Bosco Children and Life Mission (Don Bosco CALM), in Namugongo, northeast of Kampala, Uganda, had the funding for a rain harvest water system thanks to the Salesian Missions Clean Water Initiative. The project was completed in June 2024.The new water system has ensured reliable clean water for the 558 students at the Salesian school along with staff, others on campus and people in the nearby community. The water is available for drinking, cooking and hygiene. The new system is also working to ensure that the campus no longer floods during heavy rains by controlling the impact of running water over the grounds. With the addition of the new system, Salesians are saving money on expensive water bills and can reinvest this money into the school.Okori Timothy, age 10, is one of the students who have benefited from the project. He explained, “Before the new water system, my friends and I struggled to have the water we needed for washing clothes and for bathing. During the rainy season it was difficult to play because the field would be flooded. This new water system is solving both problems. We have the water we need and can use the grounds to play and be with our friends.”Don Bosco CALM rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates street children back into society. Salesians meet basic needs and provide education, socio-cultural activities, and recreation such as sports programming to help youth have a bright future.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
-
A BIG HEART LIKE THE SHORES OF THE SEATHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB
A new time is given to us: from the Heart of God to the heart of humanity, mirrored in the great heart of Don Bosco.
Dear friends and readers, in this December issue I address you with my best wishes for a new year! We find ourselves in a new time that is given to us to live with intensity and with "newness of life," which I make my own, as a propitious and opportune wish. I am speaking of the gift that the Holy Father has given us in recent days: his Encyclical letter Dilexit Nos on the human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ.