Santa Clara, Cuba - October 2017 - In the "Nuestra Señora del Carmen" parish, the same that welcomed Fr Vandor on his arrival in 1954, the 38th anniversary of the venerable Salesian's passing was commemorated. At the end of the Sunday Eucharist, the most important moments of Fr Vandor's life, including his work as a writer, were described in a meeting conducted by the historians Heidy Águila Zamora and Yuliana Denis, both MSCs. After reading his work, there were testimonies from past pupils of then Salesian College "Rosa Pérez Velasco", and from friends who met Fr Vandor. During the meeting, music was performed by Pedro O'rrelly, who played to some poems of the venerable Vandor.
Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador - October 2017 - Fr Juan Wladimir Acosta, Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Youth Ministry, and Fr Rubinsky Sánchez, Head of the Parishes Section of the Ecuadorian Province, guided the First edition of the Youth Ministry and Family Congress.
Sarría, Spain - October 2017 - Four students of the "Design and Publishing for Publications, Businesses and Multimedia Course", offered by the Salesians of Sarría, have won the "2017 Lidepack Award" in the "Young Packing Design" category. Mar López, Ferran Muxí, Mario Sánchez and Arturo Vásquez designed and produced an innovative package for the practical and safe transport of jams in glass jars. The casing is made of recycled cardboard. Thanks to the design of the groove, it is quick to assemble and the two nside air chambers absorb possible blows against damage. The silver-colored graphics also bestow elegance to the gourmet product's packaging.
Pune, India - October 2017 - Pune's Salesian Organization "Don Bosco Development Society" (DBDS) offers courses to women from the slums. They learn to produce sweets, food, spices, soaps which they sell, thereby adding to the income of their respective families. On October 13, at the "Diwali" Festival, DBDS set up a showcase of the women's products at a trade show organized by "AXA Business Service" where many of the products were sold.
Turin, Italy - October 2017 - On October 15, Turin's ADMA Primaria celebrated the XXVII Marian Day celebrated with groups, including those from Lombardy. Before some 300 people, Maria Rita Scrimeri, Salesian Cooperator, presented the Message of Fatima in this centenary year of apparitions, with special emphasis on the implications for families. The meeting included time for prayer and meditation on the formation session. Some ADMA youth shared their paths to membership, while two spouses gave their testimony of faith. In the afternoon, in the sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians, after the communion of the Rosary, the solemn Eucharist was held, presided by Fr Enrico Stasi, Provincial of the Piedmont - Val d'Aosta Circumscription. During the celebration, 20 people from ADMA Primaria (18) and Arese (2) became members of the Association. Elections of the New Council of ADMA Primaria were also held, and will be constituted on Sunday, 29 October.
Tokyo, Japan - October 2017 – Scheduled from 15 to 21 October, the Spiritual Exercises for the Salesian Family, led by Fr Pascual Chávez, and centered on the theme: "Project Missionary Disciples." Taking part are 45 representatives from a number of Japan's Salesian Family groups.