San Luis, Argentina – September 2024 - The Don Bosco Salesian house in San Luis presented the Don Bosco Creativo project, a space to accompany boys, girls, adolescents and young people from all over the city through art. With special attention to those who are in a vulnerable situation. The project aims to promote learning, artistic expression and the integral growth of the participants through various artistic activities and workshops. Don Bosco Creativo offers a safe, inclusive and stimulating space where more than 90 boys, girls, adolescents and young people can develop their talents, skills and potential with a Salesian imprint. The project, which began two months ago with only three workshops, currently has nine proposals that are developed weekly: painting workshop, computer/content creation laboratory, folklore, singing, magic, drawing, guitar, reading and support for logical thinking. Recently the project has begun to expand in the different districts of the city together with the Salesian oratories. Hernan Gonzalez, representative of the space, said: "In the ‘Don Bosco Creativo’, we are proud to be a space where boys and girls from the entire community, from different schools, meet to develop their talents. These types of initiatives encourage us to follow the path of Don Bosco, always looking for a way to get in touch with young people according to their interests; offering them alternatives that amuse them, excite them and bring them closer to God."

Twardogóra, Poland – August 2024 – Towards the end of August, 30 leaders of the youth ministry in the Salesian Province of Wrocław , Poland (PLO) met in Twardogóra, the spiritual heart of the Province, to define together the guidelines for working with young people. After the initial prayer, Fr Mikołaj Wyczalek, SDB, Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, planned the pastoral activities based on this year's motto "Mission of Hope", referring to the anniversary of the sending of the first Salesian missionaries to Patagonia and the Jubilee Year in the Universal Church. After a brief presentation of the calendar, Fr Thomas Sage, SDB, gave a conference on spiritual abuse. In fact, one of the objectives of this meeting was to draw attention to the healthy and professional conduct of people in spiritual direction, in confession and in ordinary dialogue with students, especially with minors. The conference also referred to the Kamilek Law, introduced in Poland in July 2023, for the protection of minors. Furthermore, it was emphasised how important it is for those in charge of Salesian oratories to continue to make them a safe place for young people, constantly referring to the regulations for the protection of minors in force in the Salesian Province of Wrocław from 2019. In the evening Fr Bartłomiej Polański, SDB, Superior of the PLO Province, addressed his message to the participants. The next day began with the Eucharist at the Salesian Shrine of Mary Help of Christians celebrated by Fr Polański and then continued with the deepening and discussion of other issues.

San Francisco, United States – August 2024 – The Salesian Province of the Western United States (SUO) joyfully celebrated the priestly ordination of Salesian Jhoni Chormorro and the diaconate ordination of Salesian Quang-Damien Ho. The ceremony took place on 16 August at Corpus Christi church in San Francisco and was presided over by Salesian Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Tegucigalpa in the presence of Fr Mel Trinidad, Superior of SUO Province, family members of the newly ordained, priests and members of the Salesian Family.

Photo: Patrick M. Gee

Brasilia, Brazil – August 2024 – The 10th Meeting of the University Pastoral Network of the Salesian Higher Education Institutions (IUS) America took place from 28 to 30 August at the Catholic University of Brasilia The event aims to train the leaders and facilitators of IUS America pastoral care, involving representatives of IUS from Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and El Salvador, as well as to evaluate and plan the work of this network in accordance with the common programme 6. The meeting was opened by the UCB Pastoral Care team, followed by the welcome of the Rector of the university, Carlos Longo; the President of the Board of Directors of the UBEC-Brazilian Union of Catholic Education Group, UCB managing body, Fr Geraldo Adair da Silva, SDB; the Network Coordinator, Prof. Genésio Zeferino; the Pastoral Care Coordinator for IUS America, Fr José Marinoni; and the General Coordinator of IUS, Fr Oscar Lozano. Before concluding the meeting, there was an analysis of  the book "Pastoral Universitária Salesiana Reflexões e experiências nas IUS América", the result of the network's reflection on this important dimension of Salesian educative and pastoral work.

Mumbai, India – September 2024 – With the aim of providing SYM leaders with a platform to connect, share experiences and strengthen the understanding of their role, the Salesian Province of Mumbai hosted a joint meeting of the Mumbai (INB) and Panjim (INP) Provincial Leaders. The event took place at Don Bosco Matunga from 31 August to 1 September. Also present at the event was Fr Leon Cruz Rathinam, Youth Ministry Delegate for the INB Province, who provided a complete overview of the history and development of the SYM. Fr Dinesh Vasava then conducted a session on Christian leadership and the role of leaders in the Christian community In these days, moreover, Ms Menezes and Mr Leander Pereira shared their experiences at the Salesian Youth Synod. Finally, after a series of recreational and educational activities, such as the visit to the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, the event ended with a sharing and commitment session in which the participants shared their experiences and made commitments for their roles within the SYM. The meeting was, therefore, a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Rimini, Italy – September 2024 - A meeting of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) from the Middle East who have been resident in Europe for years (Italy, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands) took place in Rimini from 30 August to 1 September. The event was led by Antonio Boccia, World ASC Coordinator, Italo Canaletti, Head of ASC for Italy, the Middle East and Malta, and Fr Aisen Barbar, SDB. The programme included spiritual themes, formation, sharing, as well as moments of preparation and pentiential rite, prayers and masses. The concept of the identity of the Salesian Cooperator in today's world was explored and issues related to the group of Salesian Cooperators of the Middle East in Europe were discussed, with an exchange of ideas to strengthen the group spiritually, operationally and organizationally. There were also cultural moments, sharing of spiritual experiences, and planning of future meetings.