Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Today, Holy Thursday, I returned to the Provincial House after my 14 days of quarantine.    I came back on time to join the provincial community for their Holy Thursday Mass and dinner. I wish to thank Fr. Jospeh Mathew Paradayil, Pastor and Director of the St. Francis Salesian Community and the entire Watsonville Salesian community for their very kind and … Continue reading Provincial Letter: April 10th, 2020

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Greetings from Camp St. Francis, in Aptos, where I am in my third day of my 14 day quarantine.   I give thanks to God for my return from Northern Italy and the beautiful space made available to me for my time in quarantine.    The Salesian community in Watsonville (which includes Br. Mike Herbers) has been most gracious and hospitable.   My … Continue reading Provincial Letter: March 26th, 2020

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Last night I flew back to San Francisco after several days in Orange, New Jersey.  Along with Fr. John Itzaina, our formation delegate for the province, Fr. Tim Ploch, our regional, Fr. Tim Zak, Provincial from the Eastern Province, Fr. Steve Ryan, formation delegate for the New Rochelle Province and the formation team in Orange, we met all day on … Continue reading Provincial Letter: February 6th, 2020

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Many of us are still basking in the glow and wonderful experience of our PAD (Province Assembly Days) held in January 12-14.   My thanks to all those who made the effort to be present and participate.    I have only heard good and positive things about our two and a half days together in San Juan Bautista.   My thanks also to … Continue reading Provincial Letter: January 30th, 2020

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, In five days we will be celebrating Christmas Eve.   Many of you will be traveling and will be busy with different types of preparations for that beautiful day when we celebrate Christ’s birth and God’s incarnation, God becoming one with us through Jesus.   I wish to extend to all of you a very blessed and beautiful Christmas.   May you be … Continue reading Provincial Letter: December 19th, 2019

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, We have entered the beautiful season of Advent.   It is one of my favorite seasons of the Liturgical year.  This season of Advent always invites me to a spirit of reflection, prayer, slowing down and connections with friends and loved ones.  It is a time that focuses on preparation for the feast of Christmas but which sometimes includes more celebrations … Continue reading Provincial Letter: December 11th, 2019

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, The following story comes from an article on Gratitude by Ron Rolheiser: “There’s a Jewish folk-tale which runs something like this: There once was a young man who aspired to great holiness. After some time at working to achieve it, he went to see his Rabbi. “Rabbi,” he announced, “I think I have achieved sanctity.” ”Why do you think that?” … Continue reading Provincial Letter: November 27th, 2019

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Two weeks ago, November 7-8, the two provincial councils of the SDBs in the United States met for our annual meetings.   We from the west,  flew out a day early for our own provincial council meeting before joining the Eastern Provincial Council.  And, several of us stayed two extra days afterwards to visit our men in formation in Orange, New … Continue reading Provincial Letter: November 19th, 2019

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, On Sunday, October 27th, I flew back from Quito, Ecuador, where I spent the last week with Fr. Tim Ploch, our Regional and most of the 13 provincials from our Inter-American Region.   Two of our provincials could not enter the Ecuador for different reasons. The annual Inter-American provincials gathering took place in Quito this year.   We stayed at a retreat … Continue reading Provincial Letter: October 29th, 2019

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Last week, the Provincial Council, minus Fr. Tho Bui and Fr. John Itzaina, flew into San Antonio, Texas, rented a car and drove to Laredo where the provincial council met the staff of San Luis Rey and gathered for two days of provincial council meetings.   Although, we were missing two provincial council members, the four of us present, were able … Continue reading Provincial Letter: October 15th, 2019

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Today we celebrated the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux or also known as St. Theresa of the Child Jesus or the Little Flower.   She entered the Carmelite convent at 15, with special permission from the Pope, and died when she was 24 years of age in 1897.   She lived a secluded, cloistered life as a Carmelite nun.  But, she … Continue reading Provincial Letter: October 1st, 2019

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Yesterday morning, I drove down from the provincial house in San Francisco to Los Angeles.  The Salesian Sisters had invited us to attend their “medal ceremony” for the new postulants.   We wish to congratulate the nine new postulants (five from the Eastern Province and four from the West) on this new and official step in their journey towards their profession … Continue reading Provincial Letter: September 26th, 2019

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, On Tuesday, September 17th, I met with the small Board of Directors of our Salesian Family Youth Center in Boyle Heights.  I wish to congratulate Juan Carlos Montenegro for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the young people from the east side of Los Angeles.   Their summer camp was a big success, and there are many projects being initiated … Continue reading Provincial Letter: September 19th, 2019