Vatican, Vatican City - March 2017 – The launch of the Women’s Consultation Group took place on 7 March, the eve of International Women's Day, at the Press Room of the Holy See. The Women’s Consultation Group is a permanent body within the Pontifical Council for Culture. It was founded on 23 June 2015 in order to offer society the unique contribution of women. There are 37 women members of the Consultation Group, all engaged in the professional world. Sister Marcella Farina of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Theologian at the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences "Auxilium", is one of the members of the consultation. It meets formally three times a year and intervenes with proposals on the numerous activities of the Department such as: artificial intelligence, neuroscience, sport and human anthropology. On this occasion, there was also the launch of the special issue of the magazine, Culture and Faith, by the Women’s Consultation Group.
Manzanillo, Cuba - March 2017 - Since 1991, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians have been carrying on their missionary work in Manzanillo, especially with children and young people most in need. They organize catechism in the parish and in the outskirts of towns and villages where there's no priests. They hold workshops in sewing, crochet and crafts for women, as well as natural medicine laboratories. They run oratory activities and they also organize educational and training meetings for children and youth, with the support of the Salesian Mission Office in Warsaw.
Sliema, Malta – March 2017 – Forty-eight young Salesian past pupils from Malta, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia, gathered for a four-day meeting, with discussion and conferences on the theme of Youth Inclusion: education, employment and opportunity. This project was organized by the National Federation of the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco in Malta and co-financed by the EU program "Erasmus +".
Concepcion, Chile – 6 March 2017 - As part of the celebrations for the 130 years of Salesian presence in Chile, Fr Alberto Lorenzelli, Superior of Chile, together with the Rector of Saint Joseph’s College, Fr Carlo Lira, inaugurated the "San Juan Bosco" Museum. The collection on display includes many historical photographs of Salesian work, as well as liturgical vestments and ornaments.
Jesolo, Italy - March 2017 - "Youth Festival", an event of the Triveneto Salesian Youth Movement, was held on 5 March at the Pala Arrex of Jesolo. It involved 12,000 participants, 400 leaders, the performances of more than 200 young artistes led by a dozen professional artistes, 40 technicians and about 50 stands. Music, games, entertainment, exhibits, testimonials, entertainment ... these are just some of the key ingredients that enable young people to express their desire for life. These elements helped the young people to study the theme of the festival, centred on the great desire of Don Bosco which was to take care of the souls of the young.
Puebla, Mexico - February 2017 – On 26 February, Fr Gabino Hernández Paleta, Superior of the Mexico City Province (MEM), presided over the inauguration ceremony of the new soccer fields, and the basketball and Physical Training Programme at the Francisco Mateos Salesian Oratory of Puebla. The oratory is in one of the poorest and most difficult areas of the city. It is a privileged space open to all.