Venezuela - December 2023 - Recently Bishop Jonny Reyes, SDB, Vicar Apostolic of Puerto Ayacucho, paid a visit to the communities at La Esmeralda, Ocamo, Mavaca, Mavaquita and Plantanal, located in the municipality of Alto Orinoco. From 20 November to 5 December, he completed the annual visit to all the municipalities in the region. The meeting with the inhabitants of the interior of the State of Amazonas was also attended by the President of the Venezuelan Association of Catholic Education (AVEC) in Puerto Ayacucho, Prof. Richard Ortega, in order to see the current reality of the educational institutions in those localities. Bishop Jonny Reyes emphasised the complex situation in the municipality of Alto Orinoco, where schools function thanks to the goodwill of the teachers, classes are held daily, but there are many challenges, such as teacher training and the right to a fair salary. The Vicar of Puerto Ayacucho said that the situation in the health field is serious. "This is a very neglected field, Ocamo and Mavaca have no medicines, there are epidemics of tuberculosis and parasitosis is common among children," concluded Bishop Jonny Reyes.

Vatican City, Vatican - November 2023 - The WYD Lisbon 2023 delegation, made up of some 800 volunteers from the Local Organising Committee and the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation, was received by Pope Francis on 30 November in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. Pope Francis said about World Youth Day: "I remember the meeting in Lisbon with great emotion, and also as a memory: simple people, who did everything they could". Pope Francis recalled and reaffirmed the message he gave to millions of young people in Lisbon, that the Church is a place for everyone. "Continue to dream together, continue to involve in successive waves new fellow dreamers of a society made up of all and with respect for each one. I repeat this and I am happy to see that so many are already echoing me: 'everyone, everyone!'" he asked his listeners.

Santa Ana, El Salvador - November 2023 - National Youth Day was held in the Parque Libertad in Santa Ana on Saturday 25 November, with the motto "Joyful in hope, Mary accompanies us on our journey". The Salesian Family took part in this celebration by setting up a stand where information was shared about the different vocational options that the Salesian Family offers in El Salvador. Salesians of Don Bosco, Daughters of the Divine Saviour, Salesian Cooperators, Volunteers of Don Bosco, Damas Salesianas and Past Pupils ran the stand and gave information to all those who came to learn about the Salesian Family. Thousands of young people gathered to celebrate their faith and strengthen it through the event's programme.

Goma, D.R. Congo - December 2023 - On Saturday 9 December, students and educators from the Don Bosco Ngangi College took part in a conference-debate moderated by Fr Dieudonné Besa, SDB, Vice-Rector of the St John Bosco Community in Kansebula, on the theme: "Laudate Deum, an ecological perspective in the footsteps of Pope Francis". Fr Besa focused his talk on three points: the definition of ecology, then on its application and finally on education for ecology. Taking a cue from Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', he emphasised that when we talk about ecology, we have to think in terms of three main areas. The ecology of the environment or nature, the ecology of man or human ecology and the ecology of peace or justice. Addressing the students, Fr Besa invited them to become aware of the beauty of creation and to protect it on a daily basis.

La Rioja, Argentina - December 2023 - A meeting was held on the theme "Initial Literacy: challenges and opportunities" at the National University of La Rioja (UNLaR). This initiative, jointly organised by the Angelelli Salesian house belonging to the Salesian Province of Northern Argentina (ARN) and the "Argentinos por la Educación" organisation, had as its central objective to address the problem of literacy from a strategic approach. During the meeting, which is part of the national campaign for literacy, topics such as the current diagnosis, current initiatives and strategies to improve the literacy landscape in the country were discussed. The initiative seeks to coordinate efforts between educational institutions, social organisations and local government agencies to influence the formulation of effective education policies. The Salesian Angelelli House in La Rioja plays a crucial role; its socio-educational proposal benefits more than 1,000 boys, girls, adolescents, young adults and adults, posing a significant challenge: to educate and evangelise, so that each person can fully exercise their right to education.

Parañaque, Philippines – December 2023 – 8 December, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, was a day of great joy for the Salesians of the Province of the Northern Philippines, who celebrated the priestly ordination of three Salesians: Fr Paul Aldrin Dungca, Fr Adnan Alfred and Fr Daniel Gonzales. The ceremony, presided over by Archbishop Socrates Buenaventura Villegas, archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, took place at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Parañaque.