NEWS
(ANS - Cochabamba) - One of the tasks still to be done in the Church is to rediscover the vocation of the laity within it. The Second Vatican Council invited pastors of the local Church to "open areas of co-responsibility in the life and mission of the Church." The Salesians have received this invitation. They are aware of the Salesian Family origins when Don Bosco had both lay people and consecrated members carrying out the mission and sharing the charism. They recognize the need to rediscover their vocation and mission together with the laity. The 24th General Chapter gave clear indications in this regard.
(ANS - Antananarivo) - The sound of hammering can be heard on the top floor of a ministerial building in Antananarivo. It is coming from the 29 students of the Vocational Training Centre of the Salesian Building Construction "Centre Notre Dame de Clairvaux" (CNDC) at Ivato in Antananarivo. They have been entrusted with the task of renovating several rooms.
(ANS - Ramapuram) – The Uzhunnalil family is one that shares a deep faith in the Lord. As is now well known, Fr Tom was kidnapped on 4 March in Aden, because he had chosen to stay close to the needy people in Yemen despite the war. The Salesian Congregation had already received a shining example of generous service from his uncle, Fr Mathew Uzhunnalil, who was the founder of the mission in Yemen. Now from Ramapuram, in India, the home place of the Uzhunnalil family, we have another testimony of faith, this time from Fr Tom’s brother who is also named Mathew. In spite of the difficult situation, he says: "I trust in the Lord. Nothing will happen without his consent."
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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The Philippines – LAF Cebu: New Technology into Youth Ministry(ANS – Cebu) – Today’s youth ministry faces many challenges and new opportunities in connecting with young people, especially now that technology influences almost every aspect of life. Despite these challenges, digital tools like AI, Adobe, and Canva provide ministry leaders with easier ways to engage, inspire, and organize in creative and meaningful ways. By integrating these technologies, youth ministries can stay relevant and relatable, fostering connections in a language that today’s youth understand.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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OUR ANNUAL GIFTTHE MESSAGE OF THE VICAR OF THE RECTOR MAJOR,
Fr Stefano Martoglio, SDBTraditionally as a Salesian Family, we receive the Strenna every year - a gift at the beginning of the year. I hold it dear to look inside this gift with these few lines so as to welcome it as it deserves, without losing anything of the freshness of the gift.