Santa Fe, Argentina - 24 May 2018 - A procession in honor of Mary Help of Christians took place on the streets of Santa Fe, presided over by the local archbishop, Msgr. José María Arancedo, with many faithful, young people and Salesians of the various houses of the city participating.
Melbourne, Australia - May 2018 - On May 19 and 20, the 10th edition of the "OzBosco 2018" youth meeting took place at the Salesian College of Chadstone with 170 participants from the country's various Salesian houses.
Hechtel, Belgium - May 2018 - On May 20 at the "Don Boscochapel" of Hechtel, belonging to the Belgium North Province (BEN), two young Salesian missionaries, Hoan Xuan Pham, from Vietnam, and Cirilo de Deus, from East Timor, made their perpetual profession.
Rome, Italy - June 2018 - On May 31 and June 1, the General Assembly of the Don Bosco Network was held, accompanied by Fr Guillermo Basañes, General Councilor for the Missions, by Salesian Brother Jean Paul Muller, Economer General, and by Fr George Menamparampil, Coordinator of the Missions Office. During the meeting, held at the Salesian Pontifical University, an improved synergy was designed and planned between the Salesian NGOs and the Offices of the Missions towards achieving a more effective coordination in supporting the Salesian Mission in the world. In addition, the network's activities and programs carried out in the past year were reviewed and evaluated, and the adaptation to the European Data Protection Act (GDPR) and the DBN strategic plan for the next 3 years was approved. The "SAVIO" organization of Slovakia was accepted as a new member of the DBN. The meeting ended with the election of the Board of Directors for the next three years, in which current President Peter Annegarn, of the NGO "Via Don Bosco", was reconfirmed.
(New York City – May 29) – Although the Salesian parish of Mary Help of Christians Parish on East 12th Street in Manhattan no longer exists, the charism of Don Bosco and devotion to Mary Help of Christians are still alive in the Big Apple. Last Saturday, May 26, around 100 members of the old community gathered in the chapel of Mary Help of Christians in the basement of Immaculate Conception Church on East 14th Street to celebrate the great feast of their patroness. Fr. Mark Hyde, SDB, the last pastor of Mary Help of Christians Parish, presided at the Mass, and Fr. Peter Gozdalski, SDB, and Fr. James Flanagan concelebrated. Fr. Mark preached a homily in English, and Fr. Flanagan delivered one in Spanish. The latter said at the end, “The church of Mary Help of Christians no longer exists physically, but it remains alive within each one of us.” He thanked the Salesians for their assistance and presence on this special day. After Mass, everyone shared a delicious lunch and participated in raffles in the hall in front of the chapel. The chapel was renovated and adapted by the Salesians a few years ago and is maintained by a group of former Mary Help of Christians parishioners. Through Fr. Hyde, Salesian Missions gave everyone a book, available in Spanish or English, according to each person’s preference.
Rosario, Argentina - May 2018 - From 25 to 27 May, the 2nd National Youth Meeting took place on the theme "With you, we renew history", in which over eighteen thousand young people took part. Massive, indeed, the presence of young people of the various Salesian centers from across the country.