By Michael Alvarez, Salesian Cooperator
(Los Angeles, California) – On Saturday, January 18, 2025, the Cooperators of St. Dominic Savio Center hosted a retreat at the Don Bosco Mission Center in Boyle Heights for the Southern California Cooperator Centers. Participants came from the Cooperator Centers of St. Joseph in Rosemead, the English and Spanish Centers of St. Dominic Savio Parish in Bellflower, the St. Bridget Center in Chinatown, St. Mary’s in Boyle Heights, several candidates in the process of initial formation, and those inquiring about the Cooperator vocation from the Search Retreat community.
Nearly every chair in the main conference room was filled, and the day was filled with joy, enthusiasm, and reflection on our Salesian vocation and continuing formation into the spirit and mission of Don Bosco. As is a Salesian custom, the Cooperators gathered together to learn, reflect, and share the 2025 Strenna message of Father Stefano Martoglio, the Vicar of the Rector Major, entitled “Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with Young People.”
After some morning coffee, tea, pastries, and much conversation, the day kicked off with warm-ups and icebreakers led by Enrique Diaz, a member of the Savio Center and the Salesian Youth Ministry Team. Margarita Hernandez, an ADMA-Y leader and Cooperator candidate, also led the opening prayer. Then, the participants broke up into two groups to hear presentations on the 2025 Strenna. The Spanish-speaking group went into one of the classrooms with Father Fabian Cardenas, the Province Delegate for Youth Ministry, and the English-speaking group stayed in the conference room with Brother Al Vu, the Province Coordinator of Schools.
Then, after a short break, Father Peter Douc Le, the Mission Center Coordinator, presented a brief history of the Mission Center and invited everyone to wander around the facilities to see the renovated classrooms, accommodations, and offices. One highlight was visiting the SUO Cooperator province’s office space, allowing a common base for our work and archives.
Just before noon, everyone met with their Center groups to reflect on what was learned and how to apply those ponderings into action. The day concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist and a wonderful luncheon prepared by Elva Quintero and others from the Homelessness Outreach team for the Mission Center.
Many found the day a profoundly spiritual experience, resulting in a recommitment to the Salesian vocation of service to the poor and the young. Susanna Carillo from Savio Spanish Center shared, “I was inspired by Fr. Fabian’s teaching of the Strenna for 2025. He explained the importance of all of us being the hope that is needed in these critical times in which we live – to be Pilgrims of Hope.”
A number of the participants were in discernment of becoming a Cooperator, and expressed further interest and readiness to take the next steps. Evelina Jimenez, a Searcher, shared, “The Salesian retreat was a profoundly enriching experience. Initially, I was uncertain about what to expect, but by the end, I was truly moved. I deeply admire the unwavering commitment to guiding young people closer to God and fostering a stronger connection to their faith.” Frances Victoria, the 2025 Search Core Team President, also shared, “The Salesian Cooperator Day retreat was a pivotal experience for me, solidifying my decision to finally embark on the formation process to becoming a Salesian Cooperator. The retreat’s insightful program and engaging atmosphere left a lasting impression, and I eagerly anticipate participating in many more Salesian events in the future.”
In summary, there was a general deep feeling of appreciation and gratitude to God for the blessing of our Salesian vocation, our connection to the Salesian Family, and the possibilities of who we can be for the young and the poor, also through initiatives that may develop at the Don Bosco Mission Center.
