With Reflections by Lourdes Guzman, Doris Salas, and Kristie Martinez
(Bellflower, California) – Lourdes Guzman, Centro Santo Domingo Savio Treasurer, Province Councilor
Participating in the Regional Meeting of Salesian Cooperators of the Interamerican Region was a deeply enriching experience. Under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope with Young People, Relaunching Our Identity Toward the Future,” an atmosphere of Salesian fraternity and joy permeated from the very beginning. We gathered as a large family, sharing dreams and concerns, and celebrating the diversity of our countries, cultures, and ways of living the Salesian charism. This first theme, “We meet as a family, we journey as pilgrims,” was intensely experienced in every greeting, in every conversation, and in everyone’s willingness to advance together on the journey of faith and commitment.
During the conference, we dedicated time to deepening our Salesian identity and vocation. The presentations and workshops invited us to look within, to remember the origins of our vocation, and to rediscover the richness of Don Bosco’s legacy. We discussed current challenges and the need to remain faithful to our mission, adapting to the present times without losing the essence that characterizes us. It was a moment of self-discovery and gratitude for being part of this great family, which continues to be a light and hope for so many young people.
Another key aspect was the reaffirmation of our commitment as bearers of hope. In a world marked by uncertainty and change, this theme encouraged us to be active witnesses of the joy of the Gospel, especially among the most needy young people. We shared experiences of mission and service, renewing the call to be signs of hope and accompaniment. I felt that the meeting prompted us to step out of our comfort zone and respond with generosity and creativity to the needs of today’s young people.
One of the celebrations we had was the 60th anniversary of Mother Alphonsine of Canada’s profession. She was filled with joy and showed me a photo of herself when she entered the novitiate. She was a very pretty young woman who decided to follow the Lord and continues to follow him, as joyful as she was on the first day of her profession of vows.
We visited the Church of the Sacred Heart and passed through the Holy Door, where Mass was celebrated. The Dominican Republic welcomed us with open arms, with music, dancing, and above all, the joy and charisma of Don Bosco. Without even knowing each other, we hugged each other and enjoyed ourselves like a big family.
We visited the “Apprentices with Don Bosco” Oratory. We had the opportunity to share gifts with the children, and they in turn welcomed us with baskets full of lollipops and that joy, happiness, and beautiful hugs. We enjoyed the dances the children had prepared especially for this occasion.
A million thanks to everyone who planned, organized, and was attentive to every detail of the congress, to those leaders who didn’t mind everything, from carrying boxes to being drivers who picked us up and returned us to the airport. Organizers and speakers Franklin Ortega, Espin, Arismendy, Martin Calderon, Antonio Boccia, Juanita Silva, and others who were behind all the events, and the technical aspects, translations, etc. I’m listing them without titles so as not to make mistakes. Thank you for joining us at our tables as a fellow collaborator and for having a sincere heart in communicating with you. I hope to have the opportunity to attend this congress again.
Finally, the congress motivated us to relaunch the Association for the future. Concrete proposals were generated to strengthen our presence and action, promoting ongoing training and networking. I left the meeting with a heart full of hope, convinced that, as pilgrims of hope, we have the task of continuing to build together a dynamic, open association faithful to Salesian values. This experience reaffirmed my vocation and renewed my commitment to walk with and for young people, always with hope and joy, and above all, to listen to them and get to know them.
Traducción
Participar en el Encuentro Regional de Salesianos Cooperadores de la Región Interamérica fue una experiencia profundamente enriquecedora. Bajo el lema “Peregrinos de Esperanza con los Jóvenes, relanzando nuestra identidad hacia el futuro”, desde el primer momento se respiró un ambiente de fraternidad y alegría salesiana. Nos reunimos como una gran familia, compartiendo sueños, inquietudes y celebrando la diversidad de nuestros países, culturas y formas de vivir el carisma salesiano. Este primer tema, “nos encontramos como familia, caminamos como peregrinos”, se vivió intensamente en cada saludo, en cada conversación y en la disposición de todos para avanzar juntos en el camino de la fe y el compromiso.
Durante el congreso, dedicamos tiempo a profundizar nuestra identidad y vocación salesiana. Las ponencias y talleres nos invitaron a mirar hacia nuestro interior, a recordar los orígenes de nuestra vocación y a descubrir de nuevo la riqueza del legado de Don Bosco. Dialogamos sobre los desafíos actuales y la necesidad de permanecer fieles a nuestra misión, adaptándonos a los tiempos presentes sin perder la esencia que nos caracteriza. Fue un momento de autoconocimiento y de gratitud por formar parte de esta gran familia, que sigue siendo luz y esperanza para tantos jóvenes.
Otro aspecto fundamental fue la reafirmación de nuestro compromiso como portadores de esperanza. En un mundo marcado por la incertidumbre y el cambio, este tema nos animó a ser testigos activos de la alegría del Evangelio, especialmente entre los jóvenes más necesitados. Compartimos experiencias de misión y servicio, renovando la llamada a ser signos de esperanza y acompañamiento. Sentí que el encuentro nos impulsó a salir de nuestra zona de confort y a responder con generosidad y creatividad a las necesidades de los jóvenes de hoy. Una de las celebraciones que tuvimos fue la celebracion de los 60 anos de aniversario de profesion de la madre Alphonsine de Canada. Estaba llena de juvilo y me mostro una foto de ella de cuando ingreso al noviciado, era una jovencita muy bonita y decidio seguir al senor y continua siguiendolo tan juvilosa como el primer dia de la profesion de sus votos. Visitamos la Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon y pasamos por la Puerta Santa y se celebro la misa. Republica Dominicana nos recibio con los brazos abiertos, con musica, bailes, y sobre todo la alegria y charisma de Don Bosco. Sin conocernos nos abrazamos, y disfrutamos como una gran familia. Visitamos el Oratorio “Aprendices con Don Bosco” tuvimos la oportunidad de compartir regalitos para los ninos y ellos a la vez nos recibieron con canastas llenas de paletitas y esa alegria, Felicidad y hermosos abrazos. Disfrutamos los bailes que los ninos habian preparado especialmente para esta ocacion.
Un millon de gracias a todos los que planearon, organizaron y estuvieron al pendiente de todos los detalles del congreso a esos lideres que no les importo desde cargar cajas hasta ser choferes para recogernos y regresarnos al aeropuerto. Organizadores y conferencistas Franklin Ortega, Espin, Arismendy, Martin Calderon, Antonio Boccia, Juanita Silva, y otros mas que estuvieron atras de todos los eventos, y lo tecnico, traducciones, etc. los anoto sin titulos para no equivocarme. Gracias por acompanarnos en nuestras mesas como un cooperador mas y tener un corazon sencillo para comunicarnos con ustedes. Espero tener la oportunidad de asistir nuevamente a este congreso.
Finalmente, el congreso nos motivó a relanzar la Asociación hacia el futuro. Se generaron propuestas concretas para fortalecer nuestra presencia y acción, promoviendo la formación continua y el trabajo en red. Me fui del encuentro con el corazón lleno de ilusión, convencido de que, como peregrinos de esperanza, tenemos la tarea de seguir construyendo juntos una asociación dinámica, abierta y fiel a los valores salesianos. Esta experiencia me reafirmó en mi vocación y renovó mi compromiso de caminar con los jóvenes y por los jóvenes, siempre con esperanza y alegría y sobre todo escucharlos para conocerlos. Los dejo con el Proyecto de Vida Apostolica y la cancion del 150 SSCC que nos compartio Franklin.
Doris Salas, Centro Santo Domingo Savio, Formator
“I was impressed by the feeling that we’re all part of a large family with Jesus in our hearts, pilgrims of hope for young people. I could feel the presence of Don Bosco with the children of the Oratory. I will bring this experience back to our Province and my Local Center.”
Traducción
“Me impresionó el sentimiento de que todos somos parte de una gran familia con Jesús en nuestros corazones, peregrinos de esperanza para los jóvenes. Pude sentir la presencia de Don Bosco con los niños del Oratorio. Llevaré esta experiencia a nuestra Provincia y a mi Centro Local.”
Kristie Martinez, Area North Representative, Regional Secretariat, St John Bosco Center, San Antonio
(San Antonio, Texas) – The formation congress was an unforgettable experience. The people of the Dominican Republic greeted everyone with such joy and welcoming that it was easy to recognize Don Bosco’s spirit among them.
I finally got to meet the Provincial Coordinators for USA East and Canada, Denise Dunn and Joe Conroy, respectively. We all 3 felt the same strange feeling, as if we’ve already met in person and knew each other well. It reminded me of how Mother Mazzarello would say that we will meet in the heart of Jesus. This is something to reflect on as sometimes we as Cooperators in this Province can be far spread out, and in some cases may be far away from the nearest center.
We were reminded last weekend by our World Coordinator, Antonio Boccia, that we must keep Christ at the center of our lives and at the center of our mission. We watched and listened to messages sent to us by FMA & SDB Delegates from the region and world levels, including our current and past Rector Majors. Our regional councilor, Martin Calderon, spoke to us on reaffirming our commitment to the mission – we look forward to Martin joining us in person at our USA West Provincial Congress in San Antonio!
Overall it was a great weekend of formation and talks with other Salesian Cooperators who were more than members of the same Association, they were family!
The following people were in attendance from Area North:
Canada 🇨🇦
Pierre Larocque
Fr. John Puntino, SDB
Joe Conroy Rosina Di Felice
Sr. Alphonsine Roy, FMA
USA East 🇺🇸 Marciel Gomez Patricia Sobel
Bernie Pontillo
Denise Dunn
Emily Maldonado
with Regional Coordinator, Martin Calderone
USA West 🇺🇸
Doris Salas
Lourdes Guzman
Sr. Cynthia Salas, FMA
Kristie Martinez
Elisa Figueroa
Ernie Rodriguez
Sidney Rodriguez
A final Message from Antonio Boccia, the SSCC World Coordinator:
Future World / Regional Meetings for Salesian Cooperators :
- May 2026, World Congress in Rome for 150th Anniversary of Salesian Cooperators
- 2026, Regional Formation Congress/Encuentro in Northern Mexico
- 2027, Regional Elective Congress in Southern Mexico
Editora: Judy Alvarez