Estoril, Portugal – June 2024 – A combined meeting of Youth Ministry Coordiantors of the Salesians and the FMA took place on Monday 17 June, at the Provincial House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) in Monte Estoril. Fr Juan Freitas, Delegate for Youth Ministry in the Salesian Province of Portugal (POR), opened the event, the second of the year, focused mainly on the objective of evaluating the activities carried out together during the pastoral year and outlining the plan for the coming year. The part of experiences among the participants was also a high point of the meeting, providing a rich exchange of best practices and learning. The meeting, which involved representatives from the various Salesian houses in Portugal, was a moment of great communion and support for collaboration between the Salesians, the FMA, the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement and the collaborators in the area of Youth Ministry. Fr Freitas also led a formative moment that explored Pope Francis' address to participants in the International Congress on Youth Ministry, and the highlights were the subject of reflection and sharing by the participants. The meeting in Monte Estoril was an important step in the combined journey of the Salesians and the FMA in Portugal, in view of the activities carried out together during the pastoral year, as a starting point for collaboration in the organisation of events, in the formation of young people and in pastoral accompaniment.

Szczyrk, Poland – June 2023 – The Salesian Cooperators (ASC) Spirituality Days for Krakow Province (PLS) were held from 2 to 4 June at the Shrine of the Mother of God, Queen of Poland in Szczyrk. “Trust and confidence in God as the foundation of our faith and our service in the Association of Salesian Cooperators” was the motto of these days of reflection and prayer. It was a special meeting because it had the character of a congress during which the members of the new Provincial Council and the main leaders were elected: the Provincial Coordinator, the Secretary, the Administrator and the person in charge of Formation. In addition, a summary of the work carried out in the last period was made. Mr Andrzej Wanat was elected as the new Provincial Coordinator for the next three years, and in the meantime the Association has grown by three new members. Ms Janina Błażej and Fr Jan Dubas, SDB, gave conferences, while Fr Zygmunt Kostka, PLS Vice-Provincial, and Fr Wojciech Krawczyk, presided at the Masses on 14 and 15 June. There was also time for prayer, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a fraternal encounter. The Salesian Family Advisory Council for the Province of Krakow was also held in Szczyrk on Sunday 16 June, attended by representatives of different groups of the Salesian Family: Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils of Don Bosco, Volunteers of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Michelite Sisters. The meeting was chaired by Fr Marcin Kaznowski, Superior of PLS, and Fr Kostka, and the Mass was celebrated by Fr Kaznowski, PLS Provincial.

Text and photo: Fr Zygmunt Kostka, SDB

Bahía Blanca, Argentina – June 2024 – In view of the consolidation of its institutional project, the Salesian University of Argentina (UNISAL) held a key meeting on Friday 14 June with the National Director of University Management (DNGU), Matías Zuribia Mansilla. He received and met the Rector of UNISAL, Fr Guillermo Tanos, the Academic Secretary, Ana Clara Hoffman, and the Secretary of Administration, Viviana Ghidini. The meeting was also attended by Jorge Amaro, of DNGU, and Adrián Mandará, president of the Salesian University Foundation. The meeting was very productive and project-oriented, focusing on the consolidation of the university's institutional project. During this official meeting with the authorities present, strategies were developed for the key accreditation and recognition of the Salesian Congregation in the field of education. And on the occasion, the National Director of University Management highlighted the importance of the figure of Don Bosco in the university environment, stressing: "We need Don Bosco and his work must be present in the university world today more than ever."