(ANS – New Rochelle) – Celebrated each year on Aug. 12, International Youth Day was established by the United Nations to raise awareness of issues affecting young people around the world. The theme of International Youth Day 2021 is “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health,” highlighting that the success of global efforts must involve the participation of youth.

(ANS - Recife) - That Brazil is one of the countries most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic is no mystery. To date, 6 August, there are over 20 million infected and more than 560 thousand victims. But beyond the health tragedy there are also the growing economic and social difficulties, which have worsened a situation that was already serious from the start. Fr João Carlos Ribeiro, SDB, Vicar of the "St Luigi Gonzaga" Province of Brazil-Recife, shared his reflection on the subject.

(ANS – Roma) – “Through the Sacrament of Baptism, all Christians are part of the people of God and share in the mission of the Church. Every lay person together with consecrated women and men and ordained ministers is co-responsible for the Church’s mission,” says Fr Alfred Maravilla, SDB, General Councilor for the Missions, in his message for the August missionary magazine “Cagliero 11”. Below we report his reflection on the role of the laity in the Church.