Ypacaraí, Paraguay - February 2017 - More than 200 students of the Don Bosco Salesian School in Ypacaraí have entered the Guinness Book of Records for the biggest hand-made sheet of paper in the world. The sheet measures 149.5 square metres and is made up of over three thousand recycled magazines. The project was launched in 2015 to encourage recycling of materials, to promote teamwork and to celebrate the Bicentenary of Don Bosco. The official certification of the "Guinness World Records" was received in January 2017.
El Campello, Spain - February 2017 - Campobosco 2017 of the Mary Help of Christians Province was held on 18-19 February. The theme was "With Jesus, we journey together in an adventure of the Spirit". The Camp was attended by over 350 young people from the Valencian Community, Region of Murcia, Zaragoza and Albacete.
Guwahati, India - February 2017 – A meeting of the Directors of the Salesian schools in Guwahati Province (ING) took place on 15 February. It was led by Fr Johnson Parackal, Coordinator DBSEM (Don Bosco School Excellence Mission), with the participation of Fr Thomas Vattathara, Provincial of ING.
Péliföldszentkereszt, Hungary - February 2017 - The third zonal meeting of the missionaries of Project Europe was held from 19 to 22 February, led by Fr Alfred Maravilla, of the Missions Department. It was attended by 22 missionaries from Hungary, Italy, Albania, Kosovo and Great Britain, who shared their experiences in the light of their involvement in the European Provinces. Fr Guillermo Basañes, General Councillor for the Missions, who had just returned from Papua New Guinea, participated on the last day of the meeting.
Los Teques, Venezuela - February 2017 - Two important meetings were held in the month of February at the Villa Don Bosco retreat house. From 10 to 12 February there was the Second Meeting of discernment on the theme "For me Life is Christ", with the participation of 43 teenagers and young people from the Salesian houses in the country. Then on 13-14 February there was the Second Meeting of the Salesian Youth Voluntary Service, with the aim of assessing the experiences of volunteers in the first three months of the year and providing a space for an accompaniment and formation.
Amatitán, Mexico - February 2017 - The Rectors and Provincial Council members of the Salesians in Mexico held their retreat from 12 to 18 February. The retreat was preached by Fr Juan José Bartolomé on the theme "The Compassionate Jesus." It was attended by 56 Salesians of the two Provinces of Mexico City (MEM) and Guadalajara (MEG). The concluding Mass was presided over by Fr Timothy Ploch, Councillor for the Inter-America Region, who is making the Extraordinary Visitation to the MEG Province.