Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Italy – June 2024 - From 12 June, an animation proposal entitled: "A Day with Don Bosco" began at Colle Don Bosco. There are 29 groups that have so far been booked to participate in this programme, organized in the months of June and July. This year, celebrating the Bicentennial of Don Bosco's Childhood Dream (1824-2024), the chosen theme for the animation was "Dare to Dream". The organisation of the programme involves novices, Salesian theology students from Rome-Bufalotta and Messina, along with some local young people and Salesians from the Colle Don Bosco community. The programme includes a moment of welcome in the newly renovated theatre, the reception of the groups and the presentation of the theme of the year "Dare to Dream" through a skit and a moment of prayer. The young people are guided in their visit to the birthplace of Don Bosco and are helped to reflect on the theme of the dream through some games. The animation of "A Day with Don Bosco" is a way of walking with young people, helping them to reflect on their dreams and the dream they must cultivate in their lives by looking at the example of Don Bosco, seeking the help of Jesus and Mary.

Source: salesianipiemonte.info

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