America - November 2024 - A meeting of the presidents and some delegates of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico took place online on 22 November. The meeting was convened by the Vice-President of the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco and World Councillor for the Americas, Eduardo Pessoa Cavalcante. Mr Mario Reyes, President of the Association of Past Pupils of Guatemala, opened the meeting with a moment of prayer. Afterwards, the calendar with proposed activities for the year 2025 was presented, discussing Gex's presence in the federations, leaving each person to communicate two contacts to the secretariat before the regional meeting. Then a report on the last meeting of the World Presidency was presented and the experiences of those who were able to attend the last Extraordinary World Assembly, held in Turin, were shared. Furthermore, it was announced that the next regional meeting of past pupils will be attended by the world presidency and that the regional meeting planned for next year will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico. Again in line with synodality, the Regional Vice President concluded by thanking everyone for their work, presence and fraternity.

Jaboatão, Brazil - November 2024 - The third meeting of community rectors was held on 27 November, presided over by Fr Francisco Inácio, Superior of the Salesian Province of Recife (BRE). The meeting was also attended by members of the Provincial Council and Salesian school principals. The meeting opened with a Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, early in the morning, in the presence of the novitiate community. The morning was reserved for formation, with a reflection on Don Bosco's dream at 9 years of age and the importance of the chronicle in the communities. In the afternoon, Youth Ministry information was shared, the administrative report and the Provincial's communications. Concerning youth ministry, Salesian Brother Manoel Messias and Fr Valdemir Augusto spoke about the next Salesian youth festival, support for vocations ministry, missionary experiences 2025, social action, the pastoral project in schools, the Salesian Family celebration, the youth jubilee, a subsidy for the formation of new collaborators, altar boys 2025. As an administrative report, the economer Fr Robson Barros dealt with the Shared Services Centre and its extensions, the province's cash flow and the parishes' contribution this year. Fr Francisco Inácio shared various items of information at the end of the meeting, including Obedience 2025, initial formation and GC29.

Samoa - A Day of Grace and Reflection: Don Bosco Technical Center Final-Year Students Visi to the Chapel of the Sacred Oil in Leauvaa Village
Leauvaa, Samoa, 28 November 2024 -- The final-year students of Don Bosco Technical Center in Samoa marked a significant milestone on their journey of formation with a special visit to the Chapel of the Sacred Oil in Leauvaa Village. This event, organized as part of their graduation preparation, served as both a spiritual retreat and a time of meaningful reflection. Accompanied by Fr Paselio Tevaga, Br Falefa Elia, and a dedicated team of teachers, the students engaged in a day filled with prayer, sharing, and Eucharistic celebration. This retreat emphasized the Salesian charism of integrating faith and daily life, as the young men prepared for their transition from school to the workforce or further studies. The day began with a spiritual sharing session, during which students were encouraged to reflect on their vocational journey, their relationship with God, and their roles within their families and communities. These moments of introspection were aimed at fostering a sense of gratitude and commitment to the values instilled during their time at Don Bosco Technical Center.