San Antonio (United States of America). From January 16-19 2026, the temporary professed Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the NAC Interprovincial Conference gathered together in San Antonio, Texas, at the Provincial House of the Mary Immaculate Province (SUO), for their annual formation gathering.
These meetings are always a fruitful time of vocational renewal and mutual encouragement in Salesian consecrated life. This year the theme was “Called and Consecrated,” focusing on living the vows with fidelity and fostering harmonious community life.
The Sisters were accompanied the whole weekend by Sr. Thuy Huong Nguyen, SUO Provincial, Sr. Colleen Clair, Provincial of St. Joseph Province (SEC), Sr. Sandra Neaves, SUO Formator, and Sr. LouAnn Fantauzza, SEC Formator.
After arriving from all over the United States and Canada, the temporary professed Sisters relished the time to rekindle friendships. The first night of the gathering was spent in Eucharistic Adoration, remaining before Christ “listening and thanking Him” (C 40) for his goodness and mercy in their formation journeys.
On the first full day of the gathering, Sr. Sandra addressed the young Sisters, pulling from Constitutions Article 50 and Pact of the Covenant to recall the beauty and the challenge of living the Salesian family spirit. The Sisters were also able to gather with their companions of profession and share about their experience of living the Constitutions articles on community life.
On the Lord’s Day, with the chapel filled and voices united, the Sisters shared in the Provincial House community celebration of the Eucharist, which included the commissioning of 9 VIDES volunteers. Fr. Thomas Klosterkamp, OMI, an experienced formator and theologian, gave three conferences on living of religious life today, drawing from the Old Testament, the Gospel, and the Vows themselves to pinpoint enduring models and insights.
The weekend concluded with a celebratory dinner at a local Texas-Mexican restaurant, provided for by the restaurant owners who are great benefactors. The Sisters left the weekend refocused on their religious vows, refilled with fraternal joy, and refreshed for the mission.
