Community News

The Catholic Church is celebrating a Jubilee Year in 2025, with a focus on mission and justice. In a broader call for restorative practices and solidarity with those affected by the justice system, we aim to foster hope, mercy, and a renewed commitment to building a more just world. The Vatican will hold its Jubilee of Justice on Sept. 20. The following day, Sept. 21, 3:30 p.m.- 4:45 p.m., St. Francis Woods will have its own Jubilee of Mission and Justice in our auditorium.

Alliance to End Human Trafficking Stands with Survivors in Wake of Continued Epstein Revelations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 10, 2025

Brighton, MI — The Alliance to End Human Trafficking (AEHT) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to stand with and support all survivors of trafficking following the release of new documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.

The North American Vocation Team (NAVT) of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) invites young adults ages 18 and older to a monthly online evening prayer on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. CST) via Zoom. Remaining dates for evening prayer in 2025 are September 23, October 28, November 25 and December 16. More information and registration for the Zoom links is available at ssnd.org/events/. 

Chapel serves community of 300 people in Bobo-Dioulasso.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept. 8, 2025) Salesian missionaries in the St. Francis of Assisi community of Burkina Faso have a new chapel thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The chapel is located in Bobo-Dioulasso, which is roughly 20% Catholic.

2025 theme focuses on ‘Promoting literacy in the digital era’.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept. 8, 2025) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating International Literacy Day. Celebrated each year on Sept. 8, the day was launched in 1967 to “remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.”

2025 theme focuses on ‘Promoting literacy in the digital era’.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Sept. 8, 2025) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in celebrating International Literacy Day. Celebrated each year on Sept. 8, the day was launched in 1967 to “remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.”

Education, workforce development provided for youth and their families.

This October, invest in ongoing formation for mission!

The Religious Formation Conference's 2025 Congress includes speakers, workshops, resources and best practices that support the flourishing of religious life in these challenging and changing times. 

Join us as we, together, explore our hopes and dreams for consecrated life in the context of today's realities.

A few presentations include:

New space provides more comfort, better accessibility.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Aug 26, 2025) Salesian missionaries in Rundu, Namibia, completed phase three of a construction project for the new St. John Bosco Church thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project will benefit more than 6,500 Catholics in the community.

Mary’s Pence Executive Director - Job Description 

Objective: Oversee all aspects of Mary’s Pence 

Reports to: Board of Directors 

ORGANIZATION PROFILE 

Children at 2 orphanages access counseling, participate in activities.

The Tri-State Network will host a webinar, “Pilgrimage to Justice: Walking the Path of Nonviolence,” on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 6:30–8:00 PM CST.

The event will feature Dr. Ken Butigan, noted author, educator, and nonviolence leader, who will explore how to utilize pilgrimage - a spiritually transformative journey combining prayer and reflection – to recommit to nonviolence and care for the Earth.

Projects improve lives in DR Congo, Guinea, Haiti and Ukraine.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Aug. 19, 2025) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in recognizing World Humanitarian Day. Celebrated every year on Aug. 19, World Humanitarian Day honors the humanitarian efforts worldwide that support people in crisis.

Project benefits students at vocational training school.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Aug. 18, 2025) The Salesian Vocational Training School, located inside of the Palabek Refugee Resettlement Camp in Uganda, has a new high-capacity water tank thanks to funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The funding is part of the Salesian Missions “Clean Water Initiative.”

Hives provide new source of income for students, school.

Salesian missionaries work in more than 130 countries around the globe.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Aug. 12, 2025) Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian organizations and countries around the globe in recognizing International Youth Day. Celebrated each year on Aug. 12, International Youth Day was established by the United Nations to raise awareness of issues affecting young people around the world.

Sessions include focus on child protection.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (Aug. 11, 2025) Salesian missionaries in Kabwe, Zambia, had the funding for pastoral programs for young adults thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Salesians reached more than 2,000 youth and young adults, aged 15-35 who are from poor rural communities, through this project.

More than 50 Salesians and 200 youth use chapel.

Orientation to Formation (OTF) is specifically designed for newly appointed or "recycled" formators, mentors and leadership liaisons to formation. OTF provides an overview of the opportunities, as well as the gifts and challenges embedded in the ministry. This annual, virtual program will provide a range of resources for formation ministers and elected leaders. It will also offer opportunities for formation ministers and leadership to connect and share best practices with presenters, RFC staff and other participants.

This year’s theme is ‘Human Trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation’.

Adrian Dominican Sisters Portfolio Advisory Board

to Mark 50 Years of Working for Economic Justice

The Adrian Dominican Sisters invite the public to a 50th anniversary celebration of its Portfolio Advisory Board (PAB), established by the Congregation in 1975 as an expression of its commitment to social justice and to evaluate the Congregation’s investments in the light of Gospel social principles.

On August 6, 2025, women religious across the country will join in a virtual prayer service to commemorate the tragic events of August 6 and 9, 1945, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The event is being organized by the Franciscan Peace Center, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, and Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration on the anniversary of these bombings that resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 people and marked a somber chapter in human history.

Up to 30 youth will live at center while completing education.

Salesians offer more than 1,000 vocational, technical, professional and agricultural schools.

Participants deepen commitment to ongoing education for youth.