NEWS
(ANS – Bangalore) – In a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity and unity, the Don Bosco Youth Services of the Province of Bangalore (INK) organized the CUL-EX 2023 event at the Don Bosco Provincial House in Bangalore on November 25 and 26. The event was masterminded under the guidance of Father Uday Kumar, the Regional Youth Director of Karnataka, along with the assistance of Father Kaplikunnel Varghese, the Youth Ministry Delegate of the Bangalore Province, and Father Manu, the Regional Youth Director of Kerala.
(ANS – Przemyśl) – Salesian work in Przemyśl has already existed for more than a hundred years. The central ceremony of this important anniversary took place on Sunday, 19 November 2023, and was accompanied by a concert by the "Fausystem" youth band and the handover of recognition to former parish priests and various benefactors and parishioners. The Pastor of the Archdiocese of Przemyśl, Bishop Adam Szal, in the homily at the Mass of celebration, stressed the value of the Salesian charism for the city and the merits of the Sons of Don Bosco in the work of educating the young people there.
(ANS – Palermo) – "The fragrance of Don Bosco must continue in Sicily, with new methods and approaches to guarantee the education of the young, especially the most needy, with a view to giving more to those who have had less, with the best human resources that the Salesian Family can offer." This was the exhortation and challenge launched by Valerio Martorana, member of the World Presidency of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco, at the opening of the regional conference of the Salesian Family in Sicily on "Common dreams and strategies to face the new challenges in Sicily", which was held on Saturday 25 November at the Salesian Jesus the Adolescent Institute in Palermo.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – "How Salesians live and respond pastorally to young people in digital culture": in conversation with Fr Gildasio Mendes, SDB(ANS – Rome) – In the "Guidelines and Directives" section of the Acts of the General Council no. 440, for July-December 2023, a letter is published signed by Fr Gildasio Mendes, General Councillor for Social Communication, entitled: "Walking with young people in digital culture". The document, motivated by the requests received from various parts of the Salesian world, is the result of a joint work carried out in the Social Communication Sector, after conversations with each Delegate, visits and numerous meetings. It is given to every Salesian as an invitation to learn more and more about these indispensable means of our daily life, to learn to relate to them and to make good pastoral use of them with young people.
For this reason, ANS interviewed the General Councillor and in this interview, answering 10 questions, Fr Gildasio Mendes illustrates the document and explains its meaning and purpose.
EDITORIAL
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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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India – “A Resplendent Showcase of Faith” by the Salesian Province of Chennai(ANS – Katpadi) – “Let’s Celebrate Faith” a creative and unique venture of the Salesian Province of Chennai was conceptualised and meticulously organized by “Deepagam”, the Evangelization and Catechetical Centre of the Chennai province. This monumental event was celebrated on 29 October, 2023 at Don Bosco, Katpadi for the Vellore region. More than 2000 participants which included children, youth, adults, Salesians and the Salesian Co-operators took part in this grant event.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – World Children’s Day: Salesian Missions highlights social and educational programs(ANS – New Rochelle) - Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in recognizing World Children’s Day, also known as Universal Children’s Day. Celebrated each year on Nov. 20, the day was established in 1954 to promote international togetherness and awareness on children’s issues worldwide. To date, 194 countries have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and are bound by international law to ensure it is implemented.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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THE MEMORY OF THE FUTURE. We have a dream that is our greatest wealthTHE RECTOR MAJOR’S MESSAGE, Card. Angel Fernandez Artime, SDB
Two hundred years ago, a little nine-year-old boy, poor and with no future but to be a farmer, had a dream. He recounted it to his mother, grandmother, and brothers in the morning, who found it funny. Grandma concluded, “Pay no attention to dreams.” Many years later, that boy, John Bosco, wrote: “I agreed with my grandmother. However, I was unable to cast that dream out of my mind.”