Hatyai, Thailand - November 2021 - On November 14, the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Parents-Teachers Association, and the Past Pupils Association of the "Saeng Thong Vitthaya School", in Songkhla, distributed 1,500 food packets to people affected by the pandemic in the area of Hatyai City, Songkhla Province. The project was initiated and supported by the Past Pupils Association, under the guidance of its President, Phudit Phong-acha.
Surat Thani, Thailand - October 2021 - On 28 October Fr Anthony Nopphorn Joseph, SDB, Parish Priest of the "Mary Help of Christians" church in Phanom, Surat Thani Province, hosted in an interreligious dialogue seminar on the theme "Share loving kindness - the Thais never give up." The Salesian church was the venue for the event, intended to pay homage to the late King, His Majesty Rama IX, on the anniversary of his death. During the seminar, organized by the Cultural Office of the Surat Thani Province, there was an exchange of views between the religious present on the role of the deceased sovereign, protector of all religions. In addition to Fr Anthony Nopphorn Joseph, Phrapalad Worakit Worakitjo, Buddhist abbot of the monastery of Wat Sunthonniwat, and Sansern Tobay of the Provincial Islamic Committee of Surat Thani and Imam of the Riyadun Muminin mosque also spoke on the occasion. The program was also attended by 13 members of the Parochial Council along with representatives of the villagers, while other people followed the live stream on the Facebook page of the Cultural Office. After the seminar, food parcels were distributed to nearby villagers affected by the pandemic.
Bangkok, Thailand - October 2021 - On Saturday 2 October, the Educational Commission of the Salesian Schools of Thailand, chaired by Fr Thomas Smith Daengampham, organized an online seminar for 87 new teachers and staff members of the Salesian institutes in the country. The seminar, held at "St. Dominic School", was opened by Fr Aaron Alcoseba, Vicar of the Salesian Province of Thailand (THA), and by Fr Smith Daengamphan, who welcomed the participants online and presented the schools and senior executives. Then the main speaker of the day, Fr Yarat Chaiyara, spoke on "The Preventive System of St. John Bosco", explaining the three pillars on which it is founded: reason, religion and loving-kindness. The goal of this seminar is to make the staff, most of them non-Christian, understand the Salesian charism better, and help them to cooperate more effectively with Salesians to provide quality education for the good of young people.
HuaHin, Thailand - September 2021 - On 11 September in the chapel of the Salesian Retreat House, Salesian deacon Thomas Nattawut Kitsawad was ordained a priest by the imposition of hands and the consecratory prayer of Rt.Rev. Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil, SDB, Bishop of Surat Thani. Fr John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant, the Salesian Provincial of Thailand (THA), concelebrated the ordination Mass together with other Salesians, in the presence of the relatives of the new priest.
(ANS - Tokyo) - The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have just ended, an edition that has once again reaffirmed the importance of sports as a tool for social integration. Thousands of athletes from all over the world participated in this prestigeous event, including some Salesian Past Pupils. Here are several successful examples among those received by the ANS editorial staff.
Pune, India - August 2021 - On 21 August, in the parish of the Sacred Heart of Yerwada, the Salesian Michael Gaikwad was ordained a priest by Rt.Rev. Thomas Dabre, Bishop of the Diocese of Pune.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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RMG – “Do Elderly Salesians have a role in the Digital Culture?”The answer in the letter “Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture” from the General Councillor for Social Communication
(ANS – Rome) – In view of the current digital reality, and due to the presence, especially in some regions of the Salesian world, of a large number of elderly Salesians, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr Gildasio Mendes, has decided to dedicate a special letter to them, entitled: "Sharing wisdom and hope in digital culture". Here is how he explains to ANS readers today the origins, significance and perspectives of this document.
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 – Artificial Intelligence and "The Oratory". Two events for reflection and debate at UPS(ANS – Rome) – The Faculty of Social Communication Sciences (FSC) of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS), based in Rome, is promoting two events in May, the month in which the World Day of Social Communications is celebrated (this year, Sunday 12th) as well as the anniversary of the charismatic Letter from Rome by Don Bosco (10 May). They will explore the dimension of communication in its current and future panorama and the continuing relevance of the Salesian presence among young people at risk. These issues will be addressed through the presentation of a book on "Artificial Intelligence. In search of humanity", Thursday 16 May 2024, and the screening of the film "The Oratory", Friday 17th.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG – 16 May 1887: Don Bosco's weeping, the Sacred Heart and unwavering faith in Divine Providence(ANS – Rome) – On 16 May 1887, Don Bosco celebrated his first and only Mass at the altar of Mary Help of Christians at the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Castro Praetorium, in Rome, the church whose construction cost him so much effort and suffering in the last years of his life. In that Mass, interrupted by tears 15 times, Don Bosco, now close to the end of his mortal life, had the grace to understand the entire journey made in the thousand apostolates and in the infinite initiatives for young people throughout his life, and his childhood Dream suddenly became clear to him, thus also giving fulfilment to the prophetic affirmation of that dream: "In due time you will understand everything".
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS FROM HERE TO THE WORLDTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime
Dear readers of the Salesian Bulletin,
My affectionate and cordial greetings during this Easter season. In a world in turmoil, agitated by armed conflicts and no small amount of violence, we continue to declare, announce, and proclaim that Jesus is Lord, raised by the Father, and that he LIVES. We strongly need His Presence in hearts willing to welcome Him.