Bangkok, Thailand - November 2023 - The Salesian Commission of Social Communications for the Province of Thailand (THA) organised a meeting of Social Communication Coordinators and Correspondents from each Salesian work on 23 November at provincial headquarters with the aim of creating a broader understanding of their roles and responsibilities for smoother collaboration. During the meeting, in addition to getting to know each other better and sharing experiences, the participants attended a seminar on news writing led by Ms. Chuenjit Charoenpongchai, TV news anchor and host. She provided suggestions for more professional news writing. Since 2021, the Salesian Social Communications Commission of Thailand has adjusted the role of the existing Social Communications Coordinators and Salesian Bulletin & Newsletter Correspondents to take on other tasks. In addition to sending news and helping with the writing of articles in the SB, they also act as media coordinators and animators within the group in the context in which they work. There are currently 33 coordinators and correspondents, both Salesians and lay people, in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Some are still studying abroad in Italy and the Philippines. Such a system helps create a working network so that the Salesian Social Communications Commission of Thailand is more efficient and flexible.
(ANS – Bangkok) – The Salesian Province of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos organized an annual seminar on the theme of “Directions for Youth Ministry”. 133 Salesians, members of the Salesian Family came to join the seminar led by Fr Miguel Ángel GARCÍA MORCUENDE, SDB, Salesian Councillor for Youth Ministry. The seminar was divided into two groups The first was held at Don Bosco House - Bangkok from 27-28 October 2023, with 60 participants. The second groups was held at the Salesian Retreat House in Hua Hin from 29-30 October 2023, with 73 participants.
Udonthani, Thailand - October 2023 - The Vocations Sector of the Youth Pastoral Commission of the 'St Paul' Province of Thailand led by Fr Nattawut Kitsawad, SDB, together with the Salesians of Sampran, organised a Vocations Camp from 12th to 14th October at the 'Don Bosco Vitthaya' house in Udonthani, to deepen Salesian vocation and rediscover the life of Don Bosco. In recent years, the Youth Pastoral Commission has begun to organize similar vocational campaigns to reach out to young people. The parents of the boys have accepted the appeal with serenity and have agreed to let their children participate in the vocational camp, joining in the prayers for vocations in Thailand.
Thailand - October 2023 - The final phase of the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival 2023 (DBGYFF), in which the Salesian Province of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos (THA) participated by submitting 14 short films, was held from 13 to 14 October 2023. The participation in the event was facilitated by the Social Communications Commission of the THA Province and the collaboration of Salesian Institutes of the Salesian Family. In addition, the Salesian Institutes and Salesian Family organised the screening of short films for young people and members of the general public who were interested. Despite this being a school holiday and holiday period in Thailand there was a good participation. After watching the short films, the young people expressed their opinions and attitudes on the various aspects they gained from watching these films. The screening of these short films gave the viewers many insights and inspirations on the theme of love, peace and solidarity, and the young people involved felt a sense of belonging to the other young people of Salesian works around the world.
Hua Hin, Thailand – October 2023 – The SYM Camp organised by the Youth Ministry Commission, Thailand, and held at the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Khao Takiep, a neighbourhood a few kilometres from Hua Hin, has recently ended. From 7 to 10 October, in fact, 90 young people from 6 different schools of the Salesian Family gathered in this edition of the SYM Camp which had as its theme: "Becoming the yeast of the Salesian Youth Movement". Fr Nopphadol Joseph, Head of the Youth Ministry Commission and Director of the Camp, welcomed the participants. Numerous activities and conferences were organised with the aim of exploring the figure of Don Bosco and the SYM, to encourage young people to be a leaven for their peers and for society, to make them aware of Laudato Si' and the initiatives to be taken on behalf of the environment and to gather the voices and opinions of young people in view of the Youth Synod 2024. The Camp ended with the Mass celebrated by Fr Anthony Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, Superior of the Province of Thailand (THA), and concelebrated by other Salesians.
Banpong, Thailand – October 2023 - From 4 to 7 October last, students belonging to the Banpong Band were involved in a preparation camp in view of the Salesian Sports Festival, Thailand, which will be held in January 2024. A total of 220 young people from five different Thai Salesian schools participated. The students were divided into groups, according to the musical instrument in which they are specialised, and each group was followed by a teacher. After practising, the groups came together to play together. The camp was an opportunity for these students not only to practise music and showcase their musical talents, but also to socialise and create a team spirit.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”
(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
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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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”