The Salesian presence in Constanta, on the Black Sea, began in 1996, encouraged by the Archbishop Ioan Robu of Bucharest, "From the first chapel on the beach up to the present oratory-youth centre, the family atmosphere permeates all our educational work and the hospitality we offer," says Fr Sergio Bergamin, the Rector of the community.
With the help of volunteers, the "yellow house" of the Salesian Centre has become the hub of a network of trust with the families of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Young people who previously were sleeping in the gutters came for protection from the cold of winter and succeeded not only in finding shelter but also in discovering their talents. Fr Bergamin goes on to say: "We offer training to young people seeking employment, after-school care and a recreational environment; and in addition to the oratory and the important Summer Activities for Youth we follow up and support the two family houses 'Claudia' and 'Michael Magone'."
In Bacau also Salesian work he has been like a breath of fresh air in a world virtually devoid of entertainment and meeting places for young people. The Rector is Fr Venceslau Grosu, a native of Bacau, who wanted to become a Salesian in order to help young people. He says: "children without distinction of creed or social background come to us seeking answers that will direct them towards a better tomorrow. They come after school for help with homework or they come to the oratory to make friends and have fun with their companions. It is lovely to see a group of twenty leaders, young people aged 15 to 18 years, and volunteers working in cooperation with us Salesians."
The newest of the three houses is the one in Chisinau, Moldova, which opened in 2005. Fr Titian Baracco is the present Vice-Rector. He often says to the young people who attend the oratory-youth centre and to the youth groups in the family home: "young people, realize that there are many signs of the love of God around you!"
