NEWS PHOTOS
Finetown, South Africa – September 2024 - Saturday 7 September, the PurePath Alliance held a one-day workshop on "The entertainment industry: Good or bad influence on young people?". The workshop was facilitated by Salesian Brother Clarence Watts, s Social Communications Delegate of the Southern Africa Mission (AFM), and by Fr Odise Lazri and was held at the Sancta Maria Church in Finetown. The PurePath Alliance was founded by young people from the Salesian All Saints Parish in Ennerdale as the result of the LoveMatters programme that takes place at the Bosco Youth Centre. The purpose of the movement is to guide young people to live a holy life and to foster a more intimate relationship with God.
Villa Luzuriaga, Argentina – September 2024 – Salesian Rodrigo Benítez Martínez was ordained a deacon by Bishop Juan Carlos Romanín, SDB, Bishop Emeritus of Río Gallegos.
Bangkok, Thailand – September 2024 – On 7 September, the Salesian Province of St Paul, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos (THA), organised the celebration of Province Day 2024, which also included the Opening Ceremony of the years of preparation for the celebration of the Centenary of Salesian presence in Thailand (1927-2027). The event took place at the Don Bosco Technological College in Bangkok and was attended by about 500 people, including Salesians, members of the Salesian Family, Past Pupils and numerous young people. The event, which began with an address from Fr Joseph Manachai Tharachai, Vice-Provincial and coordinator of the celebrations, was organised in various phases: the introduction, led by SYM leaders from the Sarasit Phithayalai school; the reflection on Don Bosco's Childhood Dream, led by the students from Saint Dominic School in Bangkok, and the remembrance in honour of the missionaries for their commitment to the development of the THA Province. This ceremonial moment was accompanied musically by the symphony orchestra comprising students from the Don Bosco Vitthaya school in Udonthani, conducted by Fr Smith Daengampan, Rector of the school. The last part of the program focused on the expression of gratitude to Fr Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, THA Provincial, surrounded by Salesians and young people. The Provincial stressed the importance of embodying the celebration through the phrase "do your duty well", since this reflects the path to holiness, just like the teachings of Don Bosco. The ceremony ended with the prayer of entrustment to Our Lady.
Aparecida, Brazil – September 2024 - On 10 September, during the Continental Meeting of Salesian Works and Social Services of America, Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende, General Councillor for Youth Ministry, brought together the Youth Ministry Delegates of the Provinces of America. The meeting, also accompanied by Fr Rafael Bejarano, from the Salesian Youth Ministry Sector, took place with the aim of welcoming the new delegates who took on pastoral commitments in their respective provinces at the beginning of this year; presenting the dates of future meetings to plan the next six years of pastoral activity in America; confirming the reception of the books: Works and Social Services for young people in vulnerability and exclusion (sent to all provinces) and recommending that delegates pay attention to monitoring Works and Social Services, supporting the local leaders of the provincial commissions with a good shepherd's heart.