(ANS – Zagreb) – After almost 14 months of celebrating mass in a tent, the faithful of the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians in Zagreb returned to the renovated church in a great celebration of the dedication of the altar and the blessing of the church, which was led on Monday, May 15, by Msgr. Ivan Šaško, auxiliary bishop of Zagreb.
Žepče, Bosnia Herzegovina - May 2023 - On the feast of St. Domenico Savio, Croatian Salesians Mislav Alerić, Marko Majić Mazul, Danijel Nejašmić and Vinko Rogalo were ordained priests by Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna. This is the first priestly ordination in the history of the parish of Žepče, on the grounds of which, as part of the Catholic School Center, "Don Bosco," the only Salesian community present in the country. All four newly ordained priests are connected to this work, because during their formation, they spent at least a year working in the Salesian house in Žepče. More than 40 priests concelebrated the Mass, led by Fr. Tihomir Šutalo, Superior of the Salesian Province of Croatia (CRO).
(ANS – Zagreb) – Volleyball club „Don Bosco“ from Zagreb won the First Croatian Volleyball League and for the first time won an appearance in the Super League, the highest level of Croatian volleyball.
Turin, Italy – April 2023 – About 400 young people from Croatian Salesian Province of Saint John Bosco visited the most important Salesian places. Valdocco, Colle don Bosco, Chieri and other places left a strong impression on those who visited the place for the first time and on those who returned here again. Walking in the places where Don Bosco also walked and celebrating the Eucharist meant a lot to the young people who were accompanied by 20 Salesians, including fr. Tihomir Šutalo, provincial, and fr. Branko Bendra, provincial youth pastoral delegate. It was a prefect time for pilgrimage as it was just after the Easter while in Croatia is a short school break, and it was before month of May when Salesian oratories, schools and parishes are so active and in celebratory mood.
(ANS - Zagreb) - Wanting to be as faithful as possible to the example and directives inherited from Don Bosco, the great educator and protector of children and young people, the Salesians of the Province of Croatia (CRO) have actively entered into a process of knowledge and refinement to increase the protection and welfare of children and vulnerable persons. In this sense, the Provincial, together with his Council, has already for some years indicated several guidelines, which are being systematically implemented at different levels in all the works of the CRO Province, although somewhat slowed down due to the pandemic.
(ANS - Zagreb) - Last weekend the Oratory of Juarun, a district of Zagreb, hosted the XVIII General Assembly of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) of Europe and the Middle East, which was attended by about 70 people from 15 countries. All united by the charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, for the growth of many young people throughout the continent. Present were the General Councilor for Youth Ministry, Fr. Miguel Angel García Morcuende, and the General Councilor for Youth Ministry of the FMA, Sr. Runita Borja. The SYM of Europe and the Middle East embraces the entire continent and creates joint relationships between Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and young people from many countries.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Italy – A Salesian on the front line of the war in Ukraine: "Being close counts, words come later"(ANS - Rome) - As he tells with a gentleness that does not seem to come from horror, he is "resting a little bit" in Rome these days. Fr Oleh Ladnyuk is a Ukrainian Salesian priest who is a military chaplain at the front, among the soldiers who fight in defence of their country and among the civilians who for over two years have seen their lives wiped out. He brings humanitarian aid where the missiles fall and from those places he helps with the evacuation of young people and adults - so far at least 500 people, but there are probably many more. These days the Salesian – who carries out his ministry in Dnipro and teaches History in a state school in the city – is in Rome to take part with two other priests and a dozen lay people from his country in the "Accompanying when Trauma Hits" course hosted by the Pontifical Salesian University in collaboration with the Faculty of Educational Sciences, with the DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation and the Don Bosco Network. A project that aims to provide theoretical and methodological tools to deal with the traumas caused by war.
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of protection and prevention models": PGS conference with UPS(ANS – Rome) – The synergy between the Salesian Youth Sports Centres (PGS) and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome gave rise to the conference on "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of models of protection and prevention", which will take place on 13 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the UPS facilities in Rome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian Missions highlights programs that provide shelter and support(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and international organizations around the globe in highlighting the plight of homeless children on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children in countries worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BOROROTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
Diary of a Happy and Blessed Missionary Day
Dear friends , I’m writing to you from Meruri in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. I write this greeting almost as if it were a journalistic report, because it has been only 24 hours since I arrived in the middle of this Brazilian state.