Sarandí del Yí, Uruguay - November 2024 - The annual meeting of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) in Uruguay took place on 17 November, The meeting was accompanied by Fr José Correa, SDB, National Animator of ADMA, and by Fr Julio González, parish priest of Sarandí del Yi.
Kolkata, India - November 2024 - The annual feast of the Holy Rosary took place at the Bandel Shrine on 9 and 10 November in Kolkata. 425 years old, the Shrine was built in 1599 by the Portuguese, and houses the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Happy Voyage, the focus of faith for the faithful and pilgrims. The feast of the Holy Rosary attracts many devotees of different linguistic origins, particularly from the same parish and neighbouring parishes and villages. On Saturday evening, 9 November, Archbishop Thomas D'Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta, presided over the Eucharistic celebration. The liturgy was enriched by readings led by members of different groups, with the prayer of the faithful organised by the ‘Mothers’ Sodality' and the offertory dance procession of the Ferrando hostel girls. After the mass, a large Eucharistic procession with the Blessed Sacrament marked a solemn moment for the participants in a prayerful atmosphere. The liturgical programme on Sunday, 10 November included masses in Hindi, Bengali and English, reflecting the multicultural and multilingual composition of the congregation.
Kobylnica, Poland - November 2024 - On 16 November, in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kobylnica, cleric Dariusz Kopczyński SDB, from the Province of Piła (PLN), was ordained deacon by Bishop Edward Dajczak, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg. Numerous relatives, parishioners and Salesians were present.
Photo: Facebook of WSDTS Seminary in Krakow
Huong Tran, Vietnam - November 2024 - On Saturday morning, 16 November, the parish of Huong Tran joyfully welcomed Bishop Dominic Hoang Minh Tien, bishop of the Hung Hoa diocese, to preside over the Mass of Thanksgiving and lay the foundation stone for the construction of the pastoral house. Present were the delegate from Vietnam, Fr Thomas Vu Kim Long, SDB, together with some 20 diocesan and Salesian priests, and members of the Huong Tran parish community.
Los Angeles, United States - November 2024 - As women around the world increasingly assume leadership roles, it is essential to empower young women with skills and confidence. This year, 22 young women from the Salesian Family Youth Centre attended the ‘Women in Leadership Conference’ hosted by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Accompanied by Executive Director, Juan Carlos Montenegro, and Council members, these young leaders gained insights on mental health, inclusiveness, economic stability, resilience and open communication, all vital foundations for modern leadership. The Salesian Family Youth Centre's participation in this conference provided a concrete example of its dedication to fostering growth, skills and resilience in young people, particularly young women. Seeing these young women networking with each other and learning new skills was a source of pride for the Centre. Indeed, this experience inspired the young women to create positive change, reflecting the wider impact in young women around the world.
Kochi, India - November 2024 - After concluding his visit to the Salesian Formation Houses in Karnataka and Kerala belonging to the Salesian Province of Bangalore, India, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, visited the Don Bosco Cultural Centre in Kochi. The visit took place on 17 and 18 November and was the first stage of the General Councillor's visit to Kerala. In Kochi, Fr Gildasio Mendes expressed his admiration for the natural beauty and cultural richness of the State. He then got to know the various facilities of the Centre, including the Don Bosco Academy of Music and Fine Arts, which boasts over 450 students mastering various instruments, both Western and Indian classical, along with dance and fine arts. The General Councillor then admired the Centre's state-of-the-art digitised printing press, IGACT, and visited the Institute of Film and Production and the Graphic Design Department. He then encouraged the students to embrace creativity in the digital age and to be innovative in the field of media. Fr Gildasio Mendes then left for Bangalore, leaving behind a message of inspiration and a renewed focus on creativity and innovation for the Salesian community in Kochi.