San Pedro Carchá, Guatemala - December 2024 - On 6 December, the Church of the Good Shepherd at the Don Bosco Centre in San Pedro Carchá was the scene of a great celebration: the 1st Parish Meeting of Ministries on the theme ‘Called to be with you’. The event, organised by the local Salesian community, brought together more than 4,100 altar servers from seven parish areas. The day was attended by altar servers, their families, church leaders and members of the Salesian community from the missionary parish in the host city. The highlight was the celebration of the Eucharist, celebrated in Q'eqchi' and Spanish. In his homily, Fr Carlos Hernández, SDB, emphasised that ‘the essence of the minister lies in service: towards the Church, the community and above all towards one's own families’. The meeting highlighted the commitment and love of the altar servers who came from remote communities to participate, and left a profound lesson: Jesus calls children to be servants, and altar servers represent the beginning of a life dedicated to faith.

Zagreb, Croatia - December 2024 - The newly formed Friends of Don Bosco in Croatia recently organised an animation leadership meeting in Zagreb, bringing together over 45 leaders. Many of these participants have a rich history with the Salesian Family, having received formation and experience in parishes, university chaplaincies and oratories. The President of the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco, Bryan Magro, addressed the meeting, emphasising the importance of the identity, values, commitment and mission of the Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco. He stressed the need for a synodal approach, inviting all members to work together to build the organisation as an integral part of the Salesian Family in Croatia. Salesian Brother Dominic Nam, World Delegate for Past Pupils of Don Bosco, emphasised the crucial role of Past Pupils and Friends in the Salesian mission. He encouraged the group to dream big and imagine the future of this new organisation. In the coming months, further regional meetings will be held in three other locations in Croatia, where other regional centres will be formed as part of the national Association. Meanwhile, from 6 to 8 December, the Executive Council of the World Confederation of Past Pupils of Don Bosco met in Zagreb. During the meeting, the Council evaluated the recent Extraordinary General Assembly and the first three years of the current Presidency. In addition, new initiatives and activities were planned for the second half of the mandate.

Wayanad, Kerala, India – December 2024 – SIGHT Wayanad, an NGO initiated by Don Bosco College Sulthan Bathery, has officially launched its program aimed at uplifting the local community, with a particular focus on the Paniya tribal community. The inauguration ceremony was led by Shri. O. R. Kelu, Kerala’s Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes. The event featured several dignitaries, including Shri. Justin Baby, Block Panchayat President; Ratnavally, Chairperson of the Municipality of Manathavady; Mr. K.S. Shaji, Joint Excise Commissioner of North Zone; Mr. Jimmy Joseph, Deputy Commissioner of Wayanad; Ms. Sindhu Sebastian, Ward Councillor; and Dr. Antony Thekkedath, Rector and Manager of Don Bosco College, along with Najmudheen, TEO Panamaram. As part of its mission, SIGHT Wayanad will offer a six-month PSC coaching course to 50 students, providing them with essential resources and guidance to enhance their educational prospects. This initiative underscores the college's commitment to empowering local youth and improving their future opportunities.