By: Elizabeth Gamarra
Province Delegate for Salesian Family

---

Approximately 70 members of 4 of the major groups of the Salesian Family in Southern California participated in a “Day of Recollection” held at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California which also included various local sites of the Salesian Cooperators throughout the province.

Two groups were formed to accommodate the English and Spanish participants.  The theme chosen for this Day of Recollection was the 2021 Strenna, emphasizing the role that HOPE has played in our ministries and apostolates so far.  Lessons learned and many experiences adjusting to the times of the pandemic were included.  An interesting and beautiful exercise was a reflection as to how Don Bosco taught us, by his own example, the importance of HOPE which nourishes our spirituality.

The talks were followed by Mass and lunch for all the attendees.

Fr. Ted Montemayor, SDB and Fr. Michael Gergen, SDB were our outstanding presenters.  

The joy of being together in person, celebrating the gift of our Salesian Family permeated every moment of our joyful gathering.

The groups are looking forward to the next Strenna as future themes will be integrated in our Salesian Family groups’ respective Plans of Action and future activities of our SF groups.