(ANS – Plei Rôngol Khop) – On Monday, 11 November 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Mission Sector of Vietnam Province organised Salesian Mission Day at the Plei Rơngol Khop Community, gathering 350 participants, including Father Provincial, Barnaba Le An Phong, the Provincial Delegate for Mission Animation, Father Dominic Tran Quang Hien, archpriest of Chu Prong Father Dominic Dinh Quang Vinh, SDB Fathers, Brothers, young confreres from Plei Rơngol Khop, Thanh Ha, Thanh Binh, Iapia Communities, Parish Priests, FMA Sisters, Sisters from different Congregations serving and collaborating with SDB confreres in this mission area.
(ANS – Rome) – In the afternoon of Wednesday 13 November, the liturgical memorial of Saint Artemides Zatti, about 200 members of the Salesian Family from all over Rome, Italy and beyond, gathered in a spirit of fellowship and unity at the Salesian Sacred Heart community which houses the Headquarters of the Salesian Congregation, and recalled the figure, holiness and life teachings of the "kinsman of the poor".
(ANS – San Francisco) – Sts. Peter and Paul Salesian parish in San Francisco celebrated the one-hundredth anniversary of its church building on November 9th and 10th, 2024. Pastor Fr. Tho Bui, SDB, parochial vicars, Fr. Al Mengon, SDB, Fr. Vien Nguyen, SDB, and in-residence Salesians Fr. John Lam, SDB, and Brother Ernie Martinez, SDB, welcomed the hundreds of visitors throughout the weekend-long celebration. Conspicuously missing was 104-year-old Fr. Armand Oliveri, SDB, who was uncharacteristically under the weather.
Maribor, Slovenia – November 2024 - The lay employees and collaborators of the Salesian works in the Province of Slovenia (SLO), met on 9 November at the Don Bosco Maribor Centre for an annual meeting. The more than 90 participants came from 11 Salesian works, accompanied by the Salesians who work with them and were welcomed by Fr Peter Končan, SDB, Superior of the SLO Province. In the spirit of the next Jubilee Year and Strenna 2025, Fr Končan placed in the hearts of all the hope that they can successfully continue the Salesian mission shared for and with young people, thanking employees and collaborators for their commitment, work and bonds. The main guest of the meeting, prepared by Fr Gašper Otrin, SDB, coordinator for the formation of the laity, was Dr Gabriel Kavčič, professor of morals at the Faculty of Theology in Ljubljana and spokesperson for the Slovenian Episcopal Conference. His address, entitled "Young people in the world of dissolved identities", was a testimony to his work with young people, the influence exerted by the media and the education of young people. Fr Gabriel Kavčič stressed the importance of knowing the identity of today's young people and of carrying on the Salesian works while remaining faithful to the charism of Don Bosco.
Krakow, Poland – November 2024 - During the weekend from 8 to 10 November, Salesian past pupils, representatives of the Altar Liturgical Service (LSO), volunteers and companions attended the Salesian Leaders School (SLS) held at the Salesian Seminary in Krakow. During three intensive days, SLS participants and representatives of the Altar Liturgical Service took part in interesting workshops, held by qualified personnel, and activities that allowed them to expand their skills. On Fridays the young people and the people who accompanied them participated in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and on Saturday in the liturgy of the Word. The meeting ended with the solemn Holy Mass presided over by the Superior of the Province of Krakow (PLS), Fr Marcin Kaznowski, and with the delivery of the provincial scholarships to the most deserving young people of the Salesian Family. There was also time for integration and fun. The program was enriched by entertainment, including a field game organised by the newly installed Youth Council of the Province.
Text and photo: Julia Stankowska
Photo: Anna Cieślicka, Julia Stankowska, Wacław Szymalski
Nairobi, Kenya – November 2024 – Don Bosco Tech Africa successfully concluded a formation workshop on the ERP Acme software, held from 5 to 9 November. The seminar brought together a total of 21 participants from five Provinces of Africa: Africa Ethiopia Eritrea (AET), East Africa (AFE), Africa Nigeria Niger (ANN), South West Africa (AOS) and the Saint Josephine Bakhita Delegation of South Sudan. The event was also attended by Fr TJ,George Superior of the AFE Province, and Fr Gerald from the Salesian Formation Centre for Africa-Madagascar (SAFCAM). The workshop was aimed at improving financial management and practices within the Provinces and Salesian institutions. The entire event focused on customising accounting software to improve efficiency and to automate major financial operations. This initiative is part of a pilot project involving 11 countries and 73 institutions, with the intention of extending it to other Salesian centres in the future. Those present, in conclusion, thanked the General Council for its support and guidance in this important phase of the project.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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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
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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
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Italy - The reform of Technical and Vocational Education at the heart of the debate: a comparison on the development of the vocational chain and the 4+2 model(ANS - Rome) - Over 2.1 billion euro will be invested in 2023 for training and labour policies, of which 70%, 1.4 billion, will be earmarked for vocational training and 30%, 640 million, for active labour policies. These are the figures that will be presented next Thursday, 14 November 2024, at the ‘Sala Zuccari’ at Palazzo Giustiniani in Rome, during the annual seminar organised by the Centro Nazionale Opere Salesiane-Formazione e Aggiornamento Professionale (CNOS-FAP) and the PTSCLAS consultancy firm ‘on vocational training and employment policies.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – World Children’s Day: Salesian Missions highlights educational and social programs that empower youth(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in recognizing World Children’s Day. Celebrated each year on Nov. 20, the day was established in 1954 to promote international togetherness and awareness on children’s issues worldwide. To date, 194 countries have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and are bound by international law to ensure it is implemented.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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THE ROSE PATHTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDB"How lucky Don Bosco is! His path is forever strewn with roses! He hasn't a worry in the world. No troubles at all!" But they couldn't see the thorns that were piercing my poor legs.” Nevertheless, I kept going. Every life is interwoven with thorns and roses as in Don Bosco's famous “Dream of the Roses and Thorns.” Hope is the force that keeps us going despite the thorns.