By Fr. Mel Trinidad, SDB

Dear Friends of Don Bosco,

Peace be with you.

As I reflect on my years serving as Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco, USA West Province, I am filled with gratitude for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our Province and for the faithful support of friends like you. Your generosity has helped us provide education, faith formation, mentorship, and hope for thousands of young people and their families.

Today, I write with both gratitude and great excitement as I introduce our new Provincial, Fr. Joe Nguyen, SDB.

Fr. Joe brings a deep love for the Salesian mission, a heart for young people, and a strong commitment to ensuring that St. John Bosco’s work continues to flourish for generations to come. His work as Master of Novices was at the center of Fr Joe’s commitment and life’s project. He was a formator, and this gift will continue as he takes on his new role as Provincial, which he will lead with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering dedication to those we serve.

This leadership transition comes at an exciting moment in the life of our Province. Across our schools, parishes, youth centers, camps, and outreach ministries, we are expanding opportunities for young people to grow in faith, leadership, education, and service. We are strengthening scholarship opportunities, enhancing youth ministry programs, investing in the formation of future Salesians, caring for our elderly and infirm confreres, and building sustainable resources that will allow our mission to thrive well into the future.

None of this is possible without faithful partners who believe, as Don Bosco did, that every young person deserves to know they are loved and to have the opportunity to discover the life God has planned for them.

As Fr. Joe begins this new chapter of leadership, I invite you to continue walking alongside the Salesians through your prayers, your encouragement, and your financial support. Your generosity is an investment in young lives, in vocations, and in the future of our Salesian family.

On behalf of every Salesian and every young person whose life has been touched through your kindness, thank you. Your friendship has meant more than words can express.

Please join me in welcoming Fr. Joe Nguyen as our new Provincial. I know he looks forward to meeting many of you in the months ahead and sharing an exciting vision for the future of our Province.

May God bless you abundantly for your continued generosity and support, and may St. John Bosco and Mary Help of Christians always watch over you and your family.

With gratitude and prayers,

Rev. Fr. Mel Trinidad, SDB Provincial