This week, we welcomed Brothers Krystian Lipinski and Maciej Sokalski to the Province of St Thomas of Canterbury. They have been studying at the Salesian seminary at Lodz, and the Wyszykski University, Warsaw, reading philosophy and pedagogy, and will continue their formation as Salesians of Don Bosco in the UK.

Both were involved in World Youth Day in Krakow, where Br Krystian accompanied a group from an orphanage, and Br Maciej was a volunteer with the Salesian team, transporting pilgrims from the airport to the seminary where they were accommodated, and helping with the organisation of the Salesian Youth meeting. The highlight of WYD for Br Krystian was seeing the Pope, which happened by chance: his group was on a sightseeing trip, when a lady leaned out of her window to tell them to wait, as His Holiness was due to pass by at any moment. But Br Maciej says he doesn't mind missing Pope Francis, because the young people were able to see him, and that's what the event was all about.

With very little time to recover from WYD, the two young men arrived in Bolton in a busy but joyful week, joining the Salesian Sisters at Blundellsands to celebrate the jubilees, and then dashing off to London for Br Kevin's ordination. They will be spending a few weeks at Thornleigh House, attending language school in Manchester to brush up on their English (which is already very good!) and getting used to life in the UK, before taking up their new roles in September. Br Maciej will go to the community in Bootle, where he will work in the chaplaincy at Savio Salesian College, and Br Krystian will remain in the Thornleigh community, working at the school (and, we hope, helping us at Salesian Link too!)

We wish them every blessing during this stage of their formation, and hope they enjoy life in Bootle and Bolton.