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
Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Today we remember the 9/11 event which took place eighteen years ago. It was a type of event, much like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, when people recalled exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard of the news. The 9/11 event changed our lives forever and today many of us still recall the … Continue reading Provincial Letter: September 11th, 2019
Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, I hope your Labor Day weekend activities were fruitful, enjoyable and relaxing. Our communities gathered for a barbecue meal and time together, in the Northern and Southern areas of California. Those in Northern California gathered at Don Bosco Hall, Berkeley and those in the South gathered at St. John Bosco, Bellflower. Since I was already in the Southland, I joined … Continue reading Provincial Letter: September 4th, 2019
Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Yesterday, the Directors, Pastors and Delegates of the different province departments met for our biannual meeting. Usually, we meet at the beginning of the scholastic/pastoral year and again in the Spring. We meet to plan, nourish our spirits, and reconnect as province leadership. I wish to thank all those who were able to make it. I realize that this is … Continue reading Provincial Letter: August 27th, 2019
By: Andres Neria On Thursday August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption, our Provincial Fr. Ted and his council met with the delegates and coordinators of the province. The purpose of this meeting, and future meetings to come, is to explore and implement better ways to serve our province at all levels. This idea was presented at this year’s Provincial Chapter and came out as … Continue reading Provincial Council, Delegates, and Coordinators Meeting
Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, Last Thursday, August 15th, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mother into heaven, the Western Province of St. Andrew had the blessing of witnessing the first professions of two of our brothers: Leo Imbert and Kris Tran. We wish to congratulate them and promise them our prayers. We wish to thank their parents for the love and … Continue reading Provincial Letter: August 20th, 2019
Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, I flew back into Los Angeles from San Antonio late last night. As I had mentioned before, the Salesian Sisters had invited me to preside at the Mass for Sr. Sydney Moss’ final vows. I arrived a day early and was able to concelebrate at the Mass of Renewal of vows for three Salesian Sisters presided by Fr. Pascual Chavez … Continue reading Provincial Letter: August 14th, 2019
Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, I am presently in Laredo, Texas for two days visiting my family and the Parish of San Luis Rey. I came to San Antonio, Texas last Friday, after our Board Meeting at Don Bosco Tech. The FMA Sisters had invited me to preside at their Jubilee celebration which took place on Saturday. I am grateful for the invitation and for … Continue reading Provincial Letter: July 24th, 2019
Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, I am presently in Los Angeles. I drove down yesterday evening, after visiting Camp St. Francis in Aptos. Today I visited Camp Savio in Bellflower. Tomorrow, I hope to visit our ministry in Boyle Heights. I am grateful to all those working hard to give young people a beautiful, enjoyable and Salesian summer experience. Wherever you go, you sense the … Continue reading Provincial Letter: July 17th, 2019
Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers, I am presently in Santa Cruz, at Villa Del Mar Retreat House ran by the Holy Names Sisters. The Provincial Council and I are here for a week of meetings: prayer, planning, reflection and some fraternal time together. We arrived on Sunday evening and will finish on Friday at noon. It is a beautiful setting, close to the ocean and … Continue reading Provincial Letter: July 10th, 2019
By Bro. Jhoni Chamorro, SDB (Camp St. Francis, CA) – Two months ago, I flew from New Jersey knowing that I was making a complete transition back to my province. My Provincial assigned me to the community of Richmond so that I could finish my undergraduate degree at St Mary’s University in Moraga. I can’t express how full of gratitude my heart is for the 3 years I … Continue reading Renewal of Profession, a Renewal of Gratitude & Joy
