Bari, Italy - September 2017 - The final exam of the Masterclass in Theory and Techniques of Social Communication offered by the "Laboratorio Don Bosco Oggi" took place on 14 September at Bari's Salesiano Redentore Institute. Held between this past January and May, the course ended with its over 30 students submitting their final projects consisting of articles, essays, projects, or videos on themes of their choice. Visibly satisfied with the initiative, Fr Francesco Preite, the Director of the Redentore Salesiani Bari, greeted the audience and placed emphasis on that concept of unity oft-repeated by Pope Francis: "We must act in the plural and not in the singular in all walks of life, be it personal or professional. One mustn't think 'I', but 'we'."
Montevideo, Uruguay - September 2017 - Fourteen Provincial Delegates for Formation from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil, plus a representative of the Salesian Coadjutors, meet 19 - 22 September for the Formation Commission's Annual Meeting for the America South Cone Region; with them, the Formation referent of the Conference of Brazilian Provinces, the Provincial of Belo Horizonte, Fr Orestes Fistarol. Headed by Fr Cleofás Murguía, of the Education Dicastery, the meeting addresses many issues: statistics regarding first formation in the region; formation at the Rector Major's meeting with Salesian Provincials, July 2017; provincial project to re-size formation starting from the Team Visit, Paraguay 2017, and the priorities and guidelines of the formation sector; Provincial Qualification Plan for Salesians; study of the text "Identity of the Salesian Religious" by Fr Andrea Bozzolo, in view of the region's 2018 teacher formation; reshaping the region's formation centers and the experiences of the Curatorium; Protocol (ACG 425) of the Congregation on the Protection of Children; various events promoted by the formation sector and in the Region.
Guwahati, India - September 2017 - On September 5, diplomas were consigned to 178 graduating students of the Don Bosco Institute in Guwahati. The ceremony was chaired by the DBI Director, Fr. Johnson Parackal, and by several Missionary Sisters of Charity.
Mexico City, Mexico - September 20, 2017 - The Salesian Province of Mexico City (MEM) has created a relief fund for the support of the earthquake victims. The Salesian Province appeals to everyone, benefactors, collaborators, families and friends to do their utmost so that aid reaches the people affected by the earthquake, especially those in the most vulnerable areas: the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Puebla and Mexico City. In the photo, relief from the Don Bosco of Puebla Salesian Oratory, one of the many initiatives of the Salesian centers.
Bet Cat, Vietnam - September 2017 - School lessons began for migrant and orphan children at the Salesian "Don Bosco Ben Cat" center on September 10. The students were welcomed by Fr Nguyen Trung Hoan, SDB, in charge of these classes, and by the Salesian aspirants. The students, most of whom are orphaned or come from poor migrant families, shall be able to study from Monday to Friday mornings and have lunch in a Salesian environment designed specifically for them.
Krakow, Poland - September 2017 - Dozens of young athletes, accompanied by their coaches and educators, and coming from a number of local associations of the Salesian Organization for Sport in Poland (SALOS), competed in the XXV National Games of Salesian Youth from 15 to 17 September. The young athletes challenged each other in various sports: volleyball, basketball, table tennis and soccer. In addition to individual and team prizes, the "Cup of the President of the Republic of Poland - Andrzej Duda" was also awarded for the team with the highest moral and cultural values, and was assigned this year to the SALOS center of Lublin.