(ANS - Rome) - The communications office of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) announced that on Monday, 24 June 2024, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco, in his capacity as Grand Chancellor of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), appointed Prof. Fr. Kevin Otieno Mwandha, Vice-Rector of UPS for the next three-year period 2024-2027, starting from 3 August.
(ANS – Locorotondo) – The Francesco Convertini bicycle path was inaugurated on the morning of Saturday 29 June 2024, on the 89th anniversary of the ordination of the Venerable Fr Francesco Convertini, SDB, in Piazza Antonio Mitrano in Locorotondo (Bari), in the presence of the Mayor, Dr Antonio Bufano, of the Municipal Councillor, Dr Mariangela Convertini, and several other councillors and municipal councillors. The path crosses the countryside of Locorotondo and ends in Contrada Papariello, where the Venerable was born on 29 August 1898.
Bootle, Great Britain – June 2024 - Salesian Aondoaseer Solomon Tivlumun made his Perpetual Profession on Sunday 30 June, at St. James church in Bootle, befroe Fr Gerry Briody, SDB, Superior of the Salesians of the Province of Great Britain (GBR). The Mass was attended by various Salesians from the country, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and local parishioners; and the service was also followed live by friends and family of the newly-professed connected from his home country, Nigeria.
Chennai, India – July 2024 – The Salesian Province of Chennai, India (INM) celebrated a significant moment on 3 July with a great celebration for the liturgical memory of Saint Thomas, patron saint of the Province. The celebration included the Provincial Feast day and the celebrations of the anniversaries of ordination and profession of nine Salesians. This solemn event took place with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Archbishop AM Chinnappa, SDB, Archbishop emeritus of Mylapore, Madras, in the presence of two other bishops, Bishop Neethinathan and Bishop Jeromedhas. The ceremony was attended, in addition to the Salesians, also by lay people and members of the Salesian Family, making it a memorable and moving event. The gathering of the INM Province around the celebrated Salesians was a heartfelt expression of gratitude and joy.
By Ms. Julia St. Clair, Province Communications Director
(New Rochelle, NY – July 2) – Camp Echo Bay kicked off its 2024 season last week on Monday, June 24. One hundred and ninety-one children registered for the first week. They enjoyed an array of indoor and outdoor activities, including, but not limited to, arts and crafts, jumping in a bouncy carousel, and swimming. On Thursday morning June 27, 155 campers took part in outdoor and indoor activities as more children continued to arrive throughout the day. Camp leadership expects enrollment to increase to 200-300 campers in the coming weeks. “Being a part of this community has been a truly wonderful experience,” Program Director Matt Boggi remarked. Prior to his time working at Camp Echo Bay, Matt was a camper there himself since he was four years old. As with previous years, the camp has a dedicated theme for each week. Last week was Nickelodeon Week, and this week is Holiday Week. The themes for the remaining five weeks of Camp Echo Bay will be Superhero, Star Wars, Olympic, Disney, and Carnival. Camp Echo Bay will run this year through Friday, August 9.
(ANS – Manouba) – The Salesians are in 136 countries around the world, including several countries in North Africa, where a new circumscription encompassing Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria was created last year.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Portugal – Interview with the Rector Major of the Salesians, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime(ANS – Fatima) - During his visit to Portugal for the National Day of the Salesian Youth Movement and the Pilgrimage of the Salesian Family to Fatima, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, gave a brief interview to the Salesians in Portugal, in which he talks about the importance of young people in the Salesian charism, the current challenges of the Congregation and its prospects for the future.
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 – Study conference: "The lengthy term of governance of an educational institute 1881-1924"(ANS – Rome) – A study conference called "The lengthy term of governance of an Educational Institute 1881-1924" was held in Rome at the General House of the Sisters. It was promoted by the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and the "Auxilium" FMA Study Centre of the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences, on Saturday, 8 June 2024, aimed at exploring the figure of Mother Catherine Daghero (1856-1924), FMA. A figure of great importance and significance for the FMA Institute – of which she was Mother General for 43 years, from the age of 25 until her death – but little known within the Salesian Family itself.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States - World Youth Skills Day: Salesian Missions highlights educational initiatives(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and the international community in celebrating World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on July 15 each year since 2014. The United Nations designated the day as a way to bring greater awareness of the importance of technical and vocational education and training, as well as the development of other skills relevant to both local and global economies.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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WHEN AN EDUCATOR TOUCHES HIS CHILDREN’S HEART— OR THE ART OF BEING LIKE DON BOSCOTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime
The art of being like Don Bosco: “Remember that education is a matter of the heart, of which God alone is the master, and that we can achieve nothing unless God teaches us the art and hands us the key” (The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco, XVI, 376).