Corrientes, Argentina – December 2024 – The students of the Salesian Pius XI school participated in the last edition of the International Young Entrepreneurs Competition. The event brought together national and international participants who presented innovative business projects. More than 50 students from the last years of the Economics and Administration, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences courses participated from Pius XI. Three of their projects won major awards: best national project idea - ‘VYNOX DETECTOR’, a kit for detecting drugs in drinks, designed by Clara Brandes, Alejandro Manassero, Fátima Sosa and Luciana Pizzichini; mention for ‘Sustainable Innovation (UNL)’ - project presented by Julián Pereson, Sofía Bezos, Valentino Gilí, Juan Pablo Fernandez Devecchi and Mateo Alegre; and 2nd place for the best project idea to ‘AUTOPARK’, developed by Valeria Christiani, Ignacio Ojeda, Benjamín Miles and Jurgen Hermann. The Pius XI Salesian school has successfully participated in the competition since 2019, standing out each year for its entrepreneurial approach and commitment to social issues. This year the result had a strong impact in Corrientes, with local awards and also the visit of the Provincial Minister of Education, Práxedes López, who congratulated the students. With their commitment, the young entrepreneurs from Pius XI demonstrate that innovation and teamwork can generate solutions with a real impact on society.
La Paz, Bolivia – November 2024 – On 30 November in the municipality of Escoma, in the department of La Paz, Limbert Mamani made his perpetual profession as a Salesian of Don Bosco before Fr Líder Justinian, Superior of the Province of Bolivia (BOL). The ceremony was attended by numerous Salesians, parents of the newly-professed, students from the school where he works and young people from the Salesian Youth Movement.
Phuoc Loc Don Bosco, Vietnam – December 2024 – On December 9, 2024, the Phuoc Loc Don Bosco Community celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, its patron saint. The thanksgiving Mass, held at 5:30 p.m., was presided over by the Provincial Fr. Barnaba Le An Phong, alongside other priests from the Province and the Community. In his homily, Fr. Barnaba highlighted the significance of the Virgin Mary's "Immaculate Conception" as a divine grace and noted that God grants grace uniquely to each individual. This feast holds particular importance for the Don Bosco Congregation, marking the day Saint Don Bosco founded his oratory. The well organized solemn mass concluded with the expressions of gratitude from Fr Giuse Nguyen Xuan Quang, the Rector, which was followed by a fraternal agape.
Victorias, Negros, the Philippines - December 2024 - On November 9, 2024, the Leaders and Animators’ Formation (LAF) 2024 took place at Don Bosco Technical Institute - Victorias, Inc., themed “Bridging the Gap: Design, Technology, and Youth Ministry.” The event aimed to equip young leaders with skills for effective ministry through the ethical use of technology.
Participants from various Don Bosco settings in the Negros District attended workshops, including one on “Artificial Intelligence & the Usage of Adobe, Canva in Youth Ministry.” Kuya Eduardo Empelis, Jr. discussed AI's significance and introduced tools for time management and content creation, aligned with the PIE method: Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating. Ate Patlyn Panares led a session on design principles using Adobe and Canva, culminating in a hands-on project. The event concluded with awards for the best design and a mass celebrating the motto “Youth Serving Youth,” reinforcing commitment to youth ministry.
Daejeon, Jeju Island, Korea – December 2024 – On December 8, 2024, during the concluding Mass of the annual retreat, 14 aspirants made their promises as Salesian Cooperators. This year’s retreat was held at the Salesian Education and Pastoral Center in Daejeon and the Isidore Youth Center on Jeju Island. In Daejeon, approximately 190 participants attended the retreat from November 30 to December 1, where 12 new cooperators made their promises. The event also celebrated six cooperators marking the 25th anniversary of their commitments under the theme "Journey Towards Hope." On Jeju Island, 25 participants, including cooperators and assistants from three centers, gathered on December 8, where two new promises were made. In his homily, Fr. Marcello Baek Kwang-hyeon emphasized the importance of being "beacons of hope" for marginalized youth. The retreat was organized by Fr. John Bosco Park Hae-seung and Sr. Gertrude Kim Seong-min, along with the national council, creating a meaningful experience for all attendees.
Bujumbura, Burundi – December 2024 – On December 7, 2024, the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco gathered at the Saint Michel Archange School in Bujumbura, Burundi. The meeting featured six presentations covering topics such as the Salesian Family, the World Confederation of Past Pupils, and various development projects aimed at fostering children's talents. After the presentation, Participants reached key conclusions to enhance their initiatives: Increase Member Engagement: Continue efforts to gather more members. Form Project Commissions: Organize members into commissions for youth education and mutual aid. Invest in a New School: Develop a school for Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco. Support Former Schools: Encourage Past Pupils to contribute to their past Salesian institutions. Engage Young Past Pupils: Involve young members in income-generating activities. Establish a Polytechnic Center: Create a center to apply technical knowledge from Salesian schools. Seek Partnerships: Pursue foreign collaborations to strengthen and sustain projects. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for January 25, 2025, to launch the first projects. The day concluded with a visit to children benefiting from a five-year educational initiative.