First Webinar of the Association

On Sunday, November 9, as part of the preparation to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Association of Salesian Cooperators, the first continental webinar was held under the motto: “To know in order to relaunch”.

The meeting brought together representatives from the four regions of the American continent —Interamerica, Pacific Caribbean South, Brazil, and Southern Cone— in a fraternal dialogue space in Portuguese and Spanish.

During the webinar, reflection focused on three key themes to understand the present and project the future of the Association in view of the upcoming World Congress to be held in May 2026:

1️⃣ Salesian response and presence in contexts of violence, youth marginalization, and migration. 2️⃣ Generational renewal and lay protagonism in structures of animation and governance, strengthening synodality. 3️⃣ Economic solidarity, a path toward a more autonomous and co-responsible Association.

It was a space of communion, discernment, and hope, strengthening our commitment to be Salesian Cooperators in the style of Don Bosco. You can watch it again, choosing subtitles in any language, on the Association’s YouTube channel.

We are preparing for the second webinar on December 21!

Provincial Congress of the Antilles

Under the motto “Being leaven to be fruitful”, the Salesian Cooperators of the Antilles celebrated their IX Provincial Congress on November 15–16, an event that gathered 81 participants from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, both in-person and virtually.

The Congress was attended by Martín Calderón, World Counselor for the Interamerica region, who accompanied the days of reflection and dialogue.

Among the fruits of the meeting, the action lines for the 2025–2028 triennium were approved, focusing on: strengthening community accompaniment, promoting provincial animation, and enhancing presence in youth realities.

It was also approved to change the denomination from “Council” to “Consultation” for national animation bodies, in order to unify terminology and highlight the co-responsibility that characterizes the Salesian mission.

In this context, the new Provincial Council of the Antilles was elected, responsible for animating and coordinating the work of the Salesian Cooperators in the three countries.

The new Provincial Council of the Antilles is composed of:

• Provincial Coordinator: Arismendy Andrés Espinal Romero
• Administrator: Marlon Valentín Herrera
• Secretary: Tania Yulissa García
• Formation: Katty Rivera
• Communication: José Rafael Ynoa
• Youth and Family Ministry: Ana Verónica Rodríguez
• Vocational Promotion and Fraternal Life: Helga Negrón
• SDB Delegate: Fr. José Cuello
• FMA Delegate: Sr. Basilia Ramírez

The Congress was held at the María Auxiliadora work, specifically at the Salesian Technical Institute (ITESA).

Formative Meeting of Salesian Cooperators – Interamerican Region

On Sunday, November 16, the Salesian Cooperators of the Interamerican Region celebrated virtually their fourth and last regional formative meeting of the year, under the motto: “In communion toward the mission”.

The formation was led by Sr. Leslie Sándigo Ortega, General Counselor for the Salesian Family of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Her reflection was inspired by several articles of the Project of Apostolic Life (PVA) and the Rector Major’s Strenna for 2026, inviting participants to strengthen Salesian identity through communion and missionary commitment.

Sr. Leslie urged all participants to walk together in the mission, being prophets of hope and joy, following the style of Don Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello.

At the end of the presentation, participants from Mexico, Guatemala, the United States, and Uruguay shared questions and reflections, to which Sr. Leslie responded with closeness and depth. As a final highlight, she presented a version of the Salesian Creed, in harmony with the Project of Apostolic Life.

The meeting also included the remote presence of Martín Calderón, World Counselor for the Interamerican Region, who sent greetings from the Dominican Republic, where he was participating in the Provincial Congress of the Antilles.

Participation took place via Zoom and Facebook Live, with connections from 13 countries in the region. The Santa Clara Center in Toronto (Canada) gathered in person to participate as a community. Salesian Cooperators from Uruguay also joined.

The opening prayer was guided in English by Luis Pedro Sosa from Guatemala, while the closing prayer, in Spanish, was led by Ana Acuña from Costa Rica.

The meeting was held in Spanish, with simultaneous translation into English and French in Zoom rooms and differentiated broadcasts in the three languages through the Facebook pages of the Interamerican Region.

The recording is available on Facebook Live SC Interamericana.

Four New Salesian Cooperators in Mexico North Province

On November 23, at the Salesian Prenovitiate in the city of Irapuato, the Promises of four new Salesian Cooperators from the Cristo Rey Center were joyfully celebrated. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Miguel Núñez, SDB, and the Promises were received by Provincial Coordinator Alfredo Algandar, accompanied by Marco Guevara, Cinthia Verónica Ojeda, and Martha Pérez, members of the Provincial Council of Mexico North.

After a time of formation and accompaniment, guided by their coordinator Saraí Quintero Godínez, they made their promise: Erika Elizabet Sánchez Godínez, Karla Fernanda Herrera Quintero, Karla Fátima Regalado Fuentes, and Edson Misael Herrera Quintero.

At the end of the celebration, they gathered at the seminary facilities to share a fraternal breakfast in a family atmosphere. Members of the Daniel Zurita Center of Irapuato also accompanied the celebration.

Provincial Congress CAM North

From November 21 to 22, the Salesian Cooperators of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador gathered to celebrate the Provincial Congress CAM North. There were 43 in-person participants and 3 virtual ones who, together, strengthened their commitment to service and the Salesian mission in the province.

The Congress was attended by Martín Calderón, World Counselor of the Interamerica Region, who accompanied the days with spaces of dialogue, animation, and a central conference that illuminated the path of the Association.

During the meeting, each country presented the reality and challenges of the Association in its territory.

On Saturday, the Congress concluded with the election of the new Provincial Council of CAM North for the 2025–2028 period, who will have the mission of animating and coordinating the service of the Salesian Cooperators in the three countries. It is composed of:

• Provincial Coordinator: Renato Cabrera Figueroa
• Administrator: Nelson García
• Secretary: Selvyn González
• Ongoing Formation: Carlos Toledo
• Initial Formation: Carlos Rodríguez
• Youth and Family Ministry: Uvil Padilla
• SDB Delegate: Fr. René Santos

The Congress was held at the Sacred Heart Retreat House in Ayagualo, El Salvador, an ideal space for reflection, fellowship, and renewal of the Salesian commitment.