Córdoba, Argentina – January 2025 – The Social Communication team of the Salesian Province of Argentina North (ARN), joyfully received Fr Ricardo Campoli, contact person for America in the Social Communication Sector at the Salesian Headquarters in Rome. Fr Campoli, who for many years was responsible for Communication in the ARN Province, shared a valuable meeting with the team, coordinated by the Delegate for Social Communication, Romina Herrera and composed of Francisco Castello, responsible for Digital Content and the graphic designer Juan Carlos Ojeda. During the working days, an enriching exchange was generated in which Fr Campoli was able to learn first-hand about the current work of the team and those responsible for communication in the Salesian houses. He also provided news and guidelines promoted by the Social Communication Sector, offering global and up-to-date perspectives. Fr Campoli highlighted the work carried out by the team and encouraged them to continue to grow and strengthen their work on behalf of the Salesian mission. This visit was a significant moment of motivation and shared learning, which reinforces the commitment of the ARN Province in the field of Social Communication.

Budapest, Hungary – January 2025 – The installation ceremony of the new Superior of the Salesian Province of Hungary (UNG), Fr Gábor Vitális, was held on 11 January in Óbuda, Budapest. The event marked a significant milestone. Fr Vitális' installation ceremony attracted numerous people from every corner of the country, testifying to their deep affection and respect for his tireless work in the youth ministry that has touched countless lives. The event was officially opened by Fr Péter Csány, Rector of the Óbuda community, and was presided over by Fr Roman Jachimowicz, Councillor for the Central and North Europe Region. In his homily, Fr Jachimowicz urged the Salesians to remain faithful to their mission, underlining the importance of love, healing and support in Salesian spirituality, especially in a world where young people are often in difficulty. Drawing inspiration from Don Bosco, Fr Jachimowicz encouraged the Salesians to continue their work with young people, providing them with the roots and support they need to thrive. In his first speech as Provincial, Fr Gábor Vitális expressed his sincere gratitude to his predecessor, Fr János Andrásfalvy, for his dedicated service, thanking God, the Salesians of the Province and the General Council for the trust given to him and for their encouragement.

Chumphon, Thailand – January 2025 - On 11 January, on the occasion of National Children's Day, the Pastoral Council of the Church of St Joseph, Tham Singh, Chumphon, a church under the care of the Salesian Congregation, located in the diocese of Surat Thani, organised the first edition of the Youth Football Competition. The event, held at the church's football field, was held with the aim of allowing children to exercise, use their free time constructively and let sport help them avoid the dangers of drugs. Twenty teams are competing in two categories from various villages in the provinces of Chumphon and Ranong. The parish priest, Fr Antonio Miele, SDB, presented the trophies and prizes to the winning teams.

Quito, Ecuador – January 2025 - A Meeting of the "Salesian Foundations" was held on 9 January at the headquarters of the Province of Ecuador (ECU), convened by Fr Marcelo Farfán, ECU Provincial, and animated by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (OPDI in Spanish). Since 2013, the "Salesian Foundations" have come together and defined their spirit and goals on the charismatic option of Don Bosco, the priority works. In 2025, on the basis of the Overall Province Plan (OPP), the objective is to consolidate this network, defining the starting points that strengthen a journey in synodality and that show a solid and clear image for more organisations to commit themselves to the Salesian educative and pastoral proposal. To consolidate this initiative, the role of the OPDI is fundamental to foster collaboration and articulation between foundations, looking for opportunities to maximise the impact of projects. This complementarity guarantees the spirit of management in the implementation of projects on site and the transparency of resources through responsibility. According to Fr Farfán, it is important to consider an institutional update of the foundations and strengthen the relationship with the Salesian Society of Ecuador to mobilise resources, in the midst of a complex context in which international cooperation has decreased. At the end of the meeting attended by Fr Luis Mosquera, Provincial Economer and director of the OPDI and the various Salesian foundations in the country,some challenges were identified such as: continuing to share experiences; seeing new possibilities for resource management; creating awareness material; strengthening capacities and establishing urgent priorities to balance forces. 

Pinar Quemado Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic – January 2025 - 138 Salesian Cooperators gathered in Pinar Quemado, Jarabacoa, to renew hope, anchored in the faith and to continue working for the realisation of the dream that Don Bosco entrusted to them, to work for the smallest and most vulnerable. From 10 to 12 January, Fr José Pastor Ramírez, Superior of the Salesian Province of the Antilles (ANT), led the event and reflections on the theme of Strenna 2025 by the Vicar of the Rector Major "Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people". The participants in the meeting made a gesture of solidarity of the pilgrims to bring hope to the "Margarita Herrera Geriatric Centre", which serves 52 elderly people. Songs and dynamics focused on the joy of Christmas were shared, and a donation of hygiene and cleaning products was delivered. In the Eucharistic celebration in the María Auxiliadora Parish of Jarabacoa, presided over by Fr José Cuello, the Salesian Cooperators renewed their promise. 

Corumbá, Brazil – January 2025 - Last Saturday, 11 January, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Corumbá, Archbishop Francesco Biasin, presided over the ceremony that proclaimed the Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians as a Jubilee Church for the entire year 2025. With this recognition, the Shrine will have the opportunity to celebrate special rites through which the faithful and pilgrims can obtain indulgences. Several religious authorities participated in the celebration, including the rector of the Shrine, Fr João dos Santos Barbosa Neto, the rector of the Salesian Community, Fr Osvaldo dos Santos, the rector of the Scalabrinian religious community, Fr Anselmo Cristofori, and the vicar of the Curia, Fr Júlio César Mônaco. Numerous faithful joined the event, expressing their spiritual fervor. 2025 is a special year for the Catholic Church, which celebrates the universal Jubilee. During the celebration, the rector of the Shrine, Fr João Neto, stressed the importance of this occasion for the local community. "This is a unique evening that our Church offers us and that God has blessed us to make happen," he said.