By Susanna Carillo, Salesian Cooperator –

(Bellflower, California) – On November 23, 2025, the St. Dominic Savio community of Cooperadores Salesianos (Spanish-speaking)  gathered with love and gratitude to celebrate a Memorial Mass for their dear friends who now rest in God’s peace. The community honored the lives of Fr. Avelino Lorenzo, SDB, and their brother and sister Cooperators—Belia Polanco, Julio Pinchinatti, Benito Trujillo, Ana Garcia, y Mariano Morante. Family and friends of the departed also joined them for this special Mass, at which Fr. Fabian Cardenas, SDB, presided.

This year marked their fifth memorial celebration, and it was a beautiful team effort. The local coordinator, Armando Gonzalez, with his wife, Linda, led the entrance procession, followed by members of the local center and Fr. Fabian. After the procession, Fr. Fabian offered a brief reflection on the purpose of the gathering—reminding everyone that they were united in prayer as they remembered Fr. Avelino and their fellow Cooperators who had gone before them into God’s embrace.

The Cooperators prayed that the memory of their loved ones would remain a light on their paths, and that Mary, Help of Christians, would continue with them in eternity.

Following the Mass, the community gathered for a shared meal, reminiscing and exchanging stories about those they remembered.

Videos by Susanna Carillo