By Luis Chacon

Edited by. Fr. Peter D. Le, SDB

(Boyle Heights – Los Angeles)  – On the Feast of St. John Bosco (January 31, 2024), the Salesian parish communities of St. Mary’s and Santa Isabel Church, along with young people from the Salesian Family Youth Center, came together to celebrate the inspiring legacy of the father, teacher and friend of youth, St. John Bosco.

This year, Salesians Fr. Jim Nieblas (Community Director), Fr. Marco Cesar Riveros (Pastor) and Fr. Hector Franco (Associate Pastor), in collaboration with parish lay leaders and local youth leaders planned for a meaningful and joyful celebration to mark the renewal of Salesian youth ministry in the area.  The Salesian festivities in the parishes included two beautiful Eucharistic celebrations, organized games and activities, distribution of toys donated by Bosco Tech (Don Bosco Technical Institute, Rosemead), and an abundance of food.

At St. Mary’s Church, the Mass for St. John Bosco was celebrated by Fr. Jim and Fr. Marco. At Santa Isabel Church, the parish community was blessed with the presence of Provincial Fr. Mel Trinidad, who concelebrated at the Mass with Fr. Hector.  Each parish community invited attendees present to share in a festive meal thereafter.

On this special occasion to celebrate the Saint of youth, new young altar servers were commissioned and sent forth to serve their communities.  In this spirit of service, members of the newly formed youth ministry animation team for the Salesian Family Youth Center and two parish communities were also introduced as part of a six-year educational youth ministry project for Boyle Heights.  The process for the relaunching of Salesian youth ministry efforts includes a thorough survey of parishioners and collaborators of the Salesian parish communities, analysis of data collected, and regular meetings to brainstorm and discuss ideas for this renewed effort to serve the young people of the Boyle Heights area (Follow the efforts on Instagram @sym_boyle_heights).  May the missionary zeal of St. John Bosco continue to be present among the entire Salesian Family in Boyle Heights as they work for and with young people and their families.