Fr Romero visited the Cipolletti Salesian house on 17 and 18 February, meeting with the Salesians, the Council of the Work, the renewed Animation, Management and Accompaniment Team (EAGA) at Don Brentana School and the young people in the SYM, also celebrating Mass with the parish community. On 19 February he went to the Don Bosco house in Neuquén, also meeting the Council of the Work and the EAGA. Talking with the SYM young people, he also reflected on the progress and importance of forming a community between the groups. He then met with the Parish Pastoral Council.
In the following days, the Regional Councillor then had the opportunity to visit the St Joseph the Worker house, also in Neuquén, the Salesian Presence at General Roca-Stefenelli and the Salesian Villa Regina House. He also visited the Chacra (Hogares de Cristo) to bring his closeness to young people and volunteers.
On Sunday, 25 February, Fr Romero then celebrated the Eucharist at the Ceferino Namuncurá Shrine in Chimpay, and was thanked for his accompaniment and for his listening by Fr Daniel Schmidt, Rector of Villa Regina.
The next day, following Ruta Nacional 22, Fr Romero arrived at Luis Beltrán Salesian House. There, on Monday 26 February he met with teachers from different educational levels, with the EAGA and with the young people of the Salesian Pastoral Group, and listened to the different activities carried out, the projects that are being developed and the inter-institutional work with community organisations.
At the end of February, the Regional Councillor arrived in Bahía Blanca, where he visited the Higher Education Houses (Juan 23 and Unisal), the Artémides Zatti Health Centre, and other institutions such as the Salesian Historical Archives. Here he spoke with the specialists who work every day to preserve the history of Salesian missions in Patagonia and learned about the different materials that are being prepared for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Salesian missionary expedition to Argentina. He also received a copy of "Memorias de la Candelaria", a research work by Pamela Alarcón and Fr Alejandro León, which tells the story of the Salesian Mission of Our Lady of Candelaria, based on material from the missionary archives of Tierra del Fuego.
Continuing the visit, on 28 February Fr Romero visited the Don Bosco Salesian House, meeting with Management and the educators, who thanked him for his words. He then met with the House Council and later the EAGA.
The meeting with the SYM, on the other hand, revealed the reasons that drive young people to be part of this group and how similar activities are transforming their lives and that of others.
At the Artemides Zatti house, the Regional Councillor had an interview with the Salesians, listening to their experiences in the presence of Fr Rubén Hipperdinger, Rector of the House.
After the stop at the La Pietà Salesian house on Thursday, 29 February, Fr Gabriel Romero finished his visit to the Tierras Argentinas settlement where he was able to get to know the Tierras de Don Bosco community centre and hear about the situation of the oratory families and the dreams they have as a new Salesian community.
At the same time, the Visit by Fr Alfonso Bauer took place, appointed by the Rector Major to accompany the Regional Councillor of America South Cone. Fr Bauer began his visit to the Province of Southern Argentina by going to the Ramos Mejía House and listening to the dreams, projects and concerns of the community.
The visit continued on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd February at the Santa Catalina Salesian House in the Buenos Aires district of Constitución. "We are grateful to Fr Alfonso Bauer who, with a great capacity for listening, has generated fraternal opportunities and deep community reflection. It was an intense two days of discernment to commit ourselves to strengthening our option for the poorest and to do it in Jesus' name" said Fabián Massoni, Director General of the House.
Finally, on 23-24 February, Fr Bauer visited the San Antonio Salesian House in the Almagro district of Buenos Aires, where he met the EAGA, the Council of the Educative and Pastoral Community, the Salesian Cooperators and the SYM Leaders, concluding the Visit with the celebration of Mass.
These were intense days of accompaniment and listening, as explained by the Rector of the House, Adrián Pedreira, that "help us to move forward towards that dream that we share in our hearts."
