Community News

This summer, the Religious Formation Conference (RFC) invites you to slow down, reflect, and enter a story that speaks to the heart of vocation, healing, and hope. Join us for a two-part Summer Read Webinar, "From Brokenness to Song: Story, Healing, and the Journey of Faith."

Inspired by Broken Things Sing Too by Hope the Lionheart, this experience is more than a book discussion—it is an invitation to listen more deeply to your own story and to the quiet ways God continues to work through seasons of struggle, change, and renewal.

Assisting Residents, spending time with the Little Sisters

Aim is to maximize impact of donor-assisted programs. 

Space to increase activities for growing youth community. 

Beyond the Game: The Hidden Reality of Human Trafficking at Major Events

Major sporting events, concerts, and large-scale gatherings draw global audiences, economic activity—and unfortunately, increased vulnerability to human trafficking. While these events are often celebrated for unity and entertainment, they can also create environments where exploitation thrives due to high demand for labor and commercial sex, increased tourism, and strained local resources.

New chapel also built to benefit parish community. 

Seminarians from several African countries preparing for ministry at school. 

Girls continue their studies in supportive learning environment. 

Funding also supports psychological care for 87 students. 

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 21, 2026) The San Patricio Basic Education School, located in Quito, Ecuador, had the funding to help improve quality education for 190 youth in poverty. The donor funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Project part of ‘Clean Water Initiative’. 

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 20, 2026) Don Bosco Gatenga Vocational Training Center, located in Gatenga, in the Kicukiro District of Kigali, Rwanda, has improved sanitation for students thanks to donor funding. The funding came from the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.” Salesian Missions is the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

On April 10, the doors of the Bowman Cherry Center in Bardstown opened once again, drawing a standing-room-only crowd to a place rich in history and renewed for the future. Several Sisters of Charity of Nazareth who supported the center’s renovation were present for the celebration as the historic site reopened as the Black Citizens Art and Education Center. For many in attendance, the day marked the end of years of work and the beginning of a new chapter for the community.

Students at risk of dropping out, face academic challenges. 

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 15, 2026) Salesian missionaries in Quito, Ecuador, had the funding to help support education and health for students living in poverty thanks to donor funding. The funding came from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Institution generates renewable energy to benefit school, students. 

Many young people now participating in activities. 

Day celebrated each year on April 12. 

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (April 12, 2026) 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 children and youth who are homeless on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.

Salesian missionaries offer more than 150 medical clinics and hospitals in mostly rural areas. 

Sports programs empower and educate youth around the globe. 

INDIA: Catholic community in Kankata village has new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions

New chapel restores pride, unity within community. 

At a glance

The Illuminating Justice Student Research Symposium brings together undergraduate and graduate students to present research on human trafficking and related issues.

Hosted by the Alliance to End Human Trafficking in collaboration with Villanova University’s Center for Peace and Justice Education and the University of Central Florida’s Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, the symposium creates space for informed dialogue and cross-disciplinary exchange.

Call for Papers

System enhances daily living and community activities. 

People from other villages join inauguration celebration. 

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 31, 2026) Salesian missionaries have a new chapel in Naegaon Garo Village of St. John Bosco Parish Kokrajhar, Assam, India, thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The chapel was completed in November 2025.

Project focuses on living expenses, capacity-building efforts. 

The Religious Formation Conference (RFC) and the Wheaton Franciscans are excited to offer a one-day in-person workshop for religious, associates, collaborators, and lay formators in the Midwest this spring. The workshop will offer space to reflect, renew, and reconnect with the joy at the heart of religious life, mission, and ministry.

In addition to planned input, participants will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful grounds of the Wheaton Franciscans (features include a peace path, cosmic walk, St. Clare Garden) over an extended lunch break. 

Church brings deep sense of pride to community. 

Bakery is historical institution in Bethlehem. 

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (March 23, 2026) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, helped support the Salesian Bakery, a historical institution in Bethlehem. With the support provided in part by Salesian Missions, the bakery was able to provide free bread to 111 vulnerable families and eight institutions.