San Francisco, United States – August 2024 – The Salesian Province of the Western United States (SUO) joyfully celebrated the priestly ordination of Salesian Jhoni Chormorro and the diaconate ordination of Salesian Quang-Damien Ho. The ceremony took place on 16 August at Corpus Christi church in San Francisco and was presided over by Salesian Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Tegucigalpa in the presence of Fr Mel Trinidad, Superior of SUO Province, family members of the newly ordained, priests and members of the Salesian Family.

Photo: Patrick M. Gee

Brasilia, Brazil – August 2024 – The 10th Meeting of the University Pastoral Network of the Salesian Higher Education Institutions (IUS) America took place from 28 to 30 August at the Catholic University of Brasilia The event aims to train the leaders and facilitators of IUS America pastoral care, involving representatives of IUS from Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and El Salvador, as well as to evaluate and plan the work of this network in accordance with the common programme 6. The meeting was opened by the UCB Pastoral Care team, followed by the welcome of the Rector of the university, Carlos Longo; the President of the Board of Directors of the UBEC-Brazilian Union of Catholic Education Group, UCB managing body, Fr Geraldo Adair da Silva, SDB; the Network Coordinator, Prof. Genésio Zeferino; the Pastoral Care Coordinator for IUS America, Fr José Marinoni; and the General Coordinator of IUS, Fr Oscar Lozano. Before concluding the meeting, there was an analysis of  the book "Pastoral Universitária Salesiana Reflexões e experiências nas IUS América", the result of the network's reflection on this important dimension of Salesian educative and pastoral work.

Mumbai, India – September 2024 – With the aim of providing SYM leaders with a platform to connect, share experiences and strengthen the understanding of their role, the Salesian Province of Mumbai hosted a joint meeting of the Mumbai (INB) and Panjim (INP) Provincial Leaders. The event took place at Don Bosco Matunga from 31 August to 1 September. Also present at the event was Fr Leon Cruz Rathinam, Youth Ministry Delegate for the INB Province, who provided a complete overview of the history and development of the SYM. Fr Dinesh Vasava then conducted a session on Christian leadership and the role of leaders in the Christian community In these days, moreover, Ms Menezes and Mr Leander Pereira shared their experiences at the Salesian Youth Synod. Finally, after a series of recreational and educational activities, such as the visit to the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, the event ended with a sharing and commitment session in which the participants shared their experiences and made commitments for their roles within the SYM. The meeting was, therefore, a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.