Rome, Italy – January 2025 - The first days of this new year at the National Centre in Rome saw a meeting of Provincials, Youth Ministry Delegates, the representatives of the national offices and members of the Council of the Educative and Pastoral Community (EPC) of the National Centre for some coordination appointments in Salesian Italy. With the presence of the Councillor for the Mediterranean Region, Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, on 9 and 10 January there was the coordination of Youth Ministry, during which the theme of the Youth Jubilee was addressed,  the project of the National Centre and, on 10, a day of workshop study with Fr Fabio Attard: "The dimension of faith in the relationship with youth and contemporary culture". On 11 January there was the Youth Ministry assembly. In the morning the Rector Magnificus of the UPS, Fr Andrea Bozzolo, led the formation on the theme: "A Salesian reading of the Synod and what the Synod says to the Congregation". Subsequently, space was given to  communications of offices, especially for the organisation of the reception for the Jubilee. On Sunday 12 and Monday 13, however, there was the meeting of the Presidency Conference of the Salesian Provinces of Italy (CISI) with the Provincials. Among the topics addressed, a discussion with Fr Roberto Del Riccio SJ on the reshaping of Salesian Italy.

Gatchina, Russia - January 2025 - The Salesian oratory in Gatchina, which does not yet have its own headquarters, has rented a new appropriate place to organise the Salesian winter camp for young people. From 3 to 7 January, 41 children from 8 to 14 years old took part in the event assisted by 12 leaders led by Salesian Fr Andrej Porubchin. The winter camp program included dances, songs with guitar, group work, moral educational meetings, team games, lunch, free time in the oratory and workshops. A special activity was the "Secret Santa Claus". Each child and leader prepared a gift to be sent to another child. On the last day, when Christmas was celebrated according to the Julian calendar, the children and leaders received the gifts, received at random, in the presence of their parents.

Kalemie, DR of the Congo – January 2025 – Saturday, 11 January, Strenna 2025, by the Vicar of the Rector Major "Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people", was presented to the Salesian Family in Kalemie. The presentation was given by Fr Marc Nawej, SDB. The event brought together members of the Salesian Family in Kalemie, including the essential sectors of the Salesian mission in Kalemie, as well as representatives of the autonomous sector of Tabacongo, Past Pupils of Don Bosco, lay collaborators, activity managers, aspirants, young people of the Don Bosco Kalemie Oratory and students of the Don Bosco Technical Institute. Fr Nawej brought together four inspiring testimonies on the theme of hope. To close the day, Fr Daniel Mafuta, Rector of the Salesian community in Kalemie, renewed his best wishes for the year 2025 on behalf of Fr Guillermo Basaňes, AFC Provincial and Fr Gauthier Tshibangu, AFC-EST Provincial Delegate. As Rector of Salesian work in Kalemie, he reiterated his commitment to the mission. Fr Nawej, in his capacity as Provincial Delegate for Past Pupils, took the opportunity to meet all the members in Kalemie.

Krakow, Poland – January 2025 – The 16th edition of the National Five-Player Football Championship of the Religious and Diocesan Seminaries of Poland took place on 11 January, in which 15 teams participated. The initiative was realised thanks to the courage and determination of the young Salesians from the Salesian Seminary in Krakow (WSDTS), holder of the title, organiser and host of the event. The championship began with a prayer and the Eucharist presided over by Fr Dariusz Bartocha, recently appointed Provincial of PLS. Then the teams went to two sports halls to play the tournament, which was won by the team from the Diocesan Seminary of Tarnów; the Salesian team from Krakow took second place among the 15 participating teams. The organisers thank all the teams for their participation, commitment and the great sports atmosphere, and also all the sponsors who supported the organisation of this championship, including Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, archbishop emeritus of Krakow, who presented the prizes to the winners together with Fr Adam Paszek, rector of the WSDTS.

Photo: WSDTS Seminar

Los Angeles, California – January 2025 – More than 230 educators from the Salesian Network of Schools in the Province of the Western United States gathered on 6 January for a day of reflection, learning and community. The event took place simultaneously in northern and southern California and, despite the geographical distance, both groups were united in their common Salesian mission and commitment to the education of young people. The meeting was organised to focus on the theme of Strenna 2025 – “Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people” – and to explore how Salesian educators are called to accompany young people on their journey of faith, education and personal growth. In the north, at Camp St Francis in Aptos, the theme of the Strenna was reflected on and the ways in which educators can actively embody the Salesian spirit of accompaniment in their daily work. In the south, Anthony Rodriguez, a former student of the Don Bosco Technical Institute, spoke of the power of personal testimony and the role of educators in being models of faith and hope for their students. The day ended with Mass, celebrated by Fr Mel Trinidad, Superior of the St Andrew Province of the Western United States (SUO), and Fr Fabian Cardenas, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry.

Rajahmahendravaram, India – January 2025 – In recent days, at the Ekalavya Children's Home, a consultation programme has been carried out to make Rajahmahendravaram a city suitable for migrants. The event, which took place in the presence of Fr Francis Bosco, Coordinator of Pastoral Care for Migrants in South Asia, was organised thanks to the collaboration between PARA, Women and Child-Friendly Rajahmundry and the Don Bosco for Migrants (DB4M) organisation. Fr Francis Bosco, addressing the participants, spoke of the challenges that migrant workers face at the national level and stressed the role of voluntary organisations in bringing these problems to the attention of the government. Debates were also held on the launch of awareness-raising programmes for migrant workers and the idea of posting useful phone numbers for these people in very busy places, such as train stations and bus stops, was suggested. Measures already taken to guarantee the well-being of workers were highlighted and the commitment to collaborate with voluntary organisations to solve any problem of migrant workers was reiterated.