SUODecember 6%2C 2012 :: Newsletters

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SUODecember 6%2C 2012

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SUODecember 6%2C 2012

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USA West Province Newsletter

Building Bridges Between Communities

Dec. 6

2012

Provincial’s

Letter

December 6, 2012

outreach the parish has

had to Filipinos, Lao-

tians, and Vietnamese.

Dear Brother and Sister

Salesians:

In accordance with our

Province Organic Plan

A JUSTICE FOR IMMI- (POP), an outreach to

GRANTS Project Confer- immigrants, especially

ence was held earlier this the undocumented, is

week in Atlanta, Georgia. one of our priorities (cf.

I am happy to announce Priority 5). The same

that our province sent two POP calls for us to pub-

confreres to attend. Both lish the positions we as

are working on the front a province community

lines in our pastoral out- take on certain issues

reach to immigrants. Fr. of social justice. Else-

Mike Gergen is pastor at where in this issue of

San Luis Rey Parish, Lar- InTouch you will find

edo, TX. The parish is a our policy statement on

beacon for immigrants immigration reform.

in that difficult border It contextualizes that

town. And the other is policy statement within

Fr. Gael Sullivan, pastor the history of the pres-

at St. Luke’s Parish, Stock- ence of Salesians in Cal-

ton, CA. We are only in ifornia and why Don

our second year of service Bosco’s first successor,

there, but last Sunday the Blessed Michael Rua,

first regular Spanish Mass sent us here in 1897. It

was celebrated. This in also contextualizes our

addition to the years’ long position in the present

day, when the immi-

grants we want to reach

out to and care for are

no longer families from

Italy, but rather young

adults, families, and chil-

dren from Latin America

and from Asia.

I do not pretend that this

policy statement reflects

the thinking of every

one of us in the prov-

ince community. But I

do want to state that it

is our official stance, it

reflects the priorities we

want to push on legisla-

tive fronts, it embod-

ies what we should be

teaching and preaching,

and it guides the deci-

sions we will make as re-

gards our presences, our

employment practices,

our pastoral programs.

This policy statement

challenges each one of

us to root our position

on such a hot button

issue as immigration

reform not on our po-

litical persuasion, but

on Gospel values as

taught by, in our case,

the US Bishops on this

specific issue.

The other context for

this statement is the

two feasts of Mary

coming up: the Im-

maculate Conception

and Our Lady of Gua-

dalupe. Mary was an

immigrant, undocu-

mented and homeless,

both at the birth of her

Son and as a refugee in

Egypt. She as mother

identifies with our

undocumented broth-

ers and sisters. She as

teacher points them

out to us as our field

of work. She as help

shows us how to stand

up for them.

Sincerely,

Rev. Timothy Ploch,

SDB

Provincial

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PROVINCIAL’S

CALENDAR

December 2012

6 Board Meeting, Salesian B&GC,

Los Angeles

7 Office Day

8 Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena,

alw“aRyesjo. Iicweiilnl stahyeitLoargdain:

Watsonville

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass,

Rejoice!”

Richmond Auditorium 10:00am

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass,

Education of the heart

St. Ambrose, Berkeley 12:30PM

BDoefogrneinfBenroiensncgcoe’sfarponemddtahogeuotgrays,uktnshdoeef rmSsttraaejnondrnipano2gi0n1ot3sf

are as follows.

Board Meeting, Salesian B&GC,

San Francisco

Office Day

Las Mañanitas, Stockton

5zCtontte.secthfiheonhnaateeercttneTiidianiirsosohaqnt.inlnlueintidavaolSainfwelogofloiessirosthnrdyeaattoimdhanenscodkriehsdhafcieCttuateuospDiitdhmvoperifuoirnenrutaicnsieylsngaeal,votyhlntBeibefliatcroedeoonytecxniusfhnit.pctchtieoFgieonhazifsronteiuisiserageneoopmxnndrsncrpe”dtcuiiiaharnageiclealeslghaiassptlttstniy“yhCoifegod:eoceldhoin,euiclirotcdinnisiivudeuis-o-gensl---,

14-19

Board Meetings:

• Trustees, Don Bosco Tech, AM

• Members, Salesian High School,

Richmond, PM

Visit Ratisbonne Studentate of

Theology, Jerusalem

Office Day

ture.

hh Fr. Pascual Chavez, SDB

STRENNA 2013

12-6-2012 3

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MARY THE IMMACULATE

HELP OF CHRISTIANS

Mother and teacher

of Don Bosco

Fr. Pascual Chavez, SDB

Fr Egidio Vigano,

in the Letter for the

presentation of the

renewed Constitu-

tions, speaking about

8 December, wrote:

“This feast of Our

Lady so full of mean-

ing for every Salesian

heart, is a date that

was very dear to Don

Bosco; it was the date

that he said marked

the offical birth of

our charism in the

Church. It may be in-

dicative to recall some

events associated with

this date: in the first

place the meeting

with Bartholomew

Garelli (1841) and

the Hail Mary that

began that prophetic

catechism lesson; the

opening of the Ora-

tory of St Aloysius

at Porta Nuova; the

announcement (in

1859) of the meeting

which would launch

the Congregation; the

consigning (in 1878)

of the first printed Rule

to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; the first ap-

pointment of one of our confreres as a Bishop (Bishop Ca-

gliero); and, in 1885, the important announcement of the

designation of Don Rua as Vicar of the Founder. On that

same 8 December 1885 our Father declared that “we owe

everything to Mary” and that “all our greatest enterprises

and events began and

reached fulfilment on

the Feast of the Im-

maculate Concep-

tion”.”11

But what underlines

the relationship be-

tween the title of the

“Immaculate Concep-

tion” and Don Bosco

is not only an histori-

cal or dogmatic coin-

cidence. At the foun-

dation of it we find a

fundamental aspect

of the “Preventive

System” which, and

we need to remem-

ber this once again, is

not so much a clever

educational insight,

as something “in-

spired by the love of

a God who provides

in advance for all his

creatures, is ever pres-

ent at their side, and

freely gives his life to

save them”. And so

“Don Bosco passes

this on to us as a way

of living and of hand-

ing on the goapel message”. It permeates our approach to

God, our personal relationships and our manner of living

in community, through the exercise of a charity that knows

how to make itself loved” (C. 20). In my view, we will never

respond sufficiently to the challenge which this way of un-

derstanding the “Preventive System” presents us with.

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Salesians of Don Bosco Province of San Francisco

Statement on Immigration Reform:

In 1897, Don Bosco’s first successor, Fr. Michael Rua, sent a small group of Sale-

sian missionaries to San Francisco to begin serving Italian immigrant young

people and their families in the United States. Today in our various ministries

of educating and evangelizing the young in California and Texas, we witness

firsthand the effects of an inadequate and broken immigration system on the

people we serve, especially the young, in our schools, parishes, and youth

centers.

Therefore, we, the Salesian Family of the San Francisco province, compelled by

the Gospel and in union with the United States Catholic Bishops’ campaign for

immigration reform, Justice for Immigrants, call on our federal and state gov-

ernments to enact a new immigration policy that is both just and comprehen-

sive.

We advocate for through education:

hh A realistic path to legalization and citizenship;

hh A plan that gives priority to a family-based immigration system so that

the waiting time/backlog to reunite families is significantly reduced;

hh A plan for addressing our employment-based immigration system, so

that migrant workers can enter and work in a safe, regulated, and hu-

mane manner;

hh Restoration of due process protections and reformed detention policies

for those detained in the immigration system;

hh Effective border security that recognizes the human rights of all people,

especially the young;

hh A process whereby young people who are children of undocumented

families can earn a college degree and become gainfully employed;

hh Policies to address the root cause of migration, such as the weak eco-

nomic development in poor countries.

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VOCATION

CULTURE

Gustavo

Ramirez

Br. Gustavo Ramirez, SDB. was born

and raised in Mexico in a small town

named Ahuacatepec; He immigrated

to the US in 1992 and been here since,

He always thought that God has a spe-

cial calling for him it took a long time

for him to discover it. In 2006 He met

the Salesians in Berkeley and consid-

ering his vocation to the priesthood

which he had explored before joining.

He professed first vows in August 15,

2008. He has been a Salesian since

then. He spent three years studying in

New Jersey. He graduated from Seton

Hall University, and moved to Rich-

mond to start practical training, He

is currently in his second year. One

the greatest blessings for Gustavo as a

Salesian is the accompanying of young

people in their journey, every day he

experiences something new from

them, they are the fuel for his voca-

tion. Gustavo loves how young people

are not afraid to be who they are and

how they embrace their youthfulness.

He works hard on trying to inspire

them to be the best they can be, to

instill good values and to bring them

closer to God.

Contact Fr. Jose Lucero, sdb

Vocation Director

infor@salesianvocation.org

salesian.vocation@facebook.com

“More, that vocational

campaigns be put into

action: families, parishes,

all our schools should be

able to create a pastoral mi-

croclimate where they can

grow and ripen vocations,

forming a genuine culture

of vocation

in which LIFE is

conceived and lived

as a gift,

as a vocation and mission,

amidst the diversity

of options.”

Fr. Pascual Chavez, SDB

Mary was an immigrant,

undocumented and homeless,

both at the birth of her Son

and as a refugee in Egypt.

She as mother identifies with

our undocumented brothers

and sisters. She as teacher points them out to us as our

field of work. She as help shows us how to stand up for

them. Fr. Tim Ploch, sdb

12-6-2012 6

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What’s New in

YOUTH MINISTRY

November 29-‐December 1, 2012  Orlando, Florida

Last week, close to 2,500 youth ministers from around the nation

gathered in Orlando, Florida for the biennial National Conference on

Catholic Youth Ministry. Among them was the Salesian Family. Coming

from the SUO SDB and FMA delegation was Sr. Ann Cassidy, Fr. Jose

Lucero, Fr. Joe Nguyen, and Bro. Al Vu. On Wednesday, November 28,

Bro. Al Vu assisted Fr. Abraham Feliciano, Province Youth Ministry

Delegate for SUE, in a presentation to the SUE CYMs on the Salesian

Youth Movement. The presentation followed by a fruitful discussion on

the need to continue to clarify the identity of the Salesian Youth

Movement and in particular in North America as well as understand the

movement in the context of our pastoral mission of education and

evangelization.

The Salesians also had a booth in which the eastern and western

provinces of the FMA and SDB collaborated in sponsoring. There,

NCCYM participants were able to engage with salesians in learning

more about Don Bosco, his spirituality, his pedagogy, and his mission

to youth here in the US and Canada. NCCYM participants also walked

away with a very cool poster of Don Bosco (designed by Bro. Travis

Gunther of SUE) in which were hidden various objects, symbols, and

sayings that related to our founder.

"Teenagers desperately want

to have meaningful

relationships with adults who

genuinely care about them."

Dr. Christian Smith

It was always interesting to hear how different people have come to

know Don Bosco. Most edifying were the encounters of various past

pupils from other countries.

In all the conference was an opportunity for rejuvenation and

networking. The next NCCYM will be held in San Antonio, Texas,

December 4-6, 2014.

So mark your calendars and see y’all in Texas!

“As Church, we gather so we

can be prepared to be sent

on mission: to serve others and

proclaim the reign of God.”

Jack Jezreel

12-6-2012 7

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PEACE

A D V E N T Young Adult

LOVE

EVENING OF REFLECTION

JOY

GIVING

DeCembeR

19th 7:00pm to 9:00pm

St. JoSeph SaleSian Youth Renewal CenteR

8301 Arroyo Drive, Rosemead, CA 91770

SaleSian Youth miniStRY offiCe

626.280.2574 / sdbyouth@salesianym.org

12-6-2012 8

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Salesian Volunteers

Refl ections

of a

Salesian

volunteer

By Jessie Smith

Well another month has passed here in Tijuana! I can’t

believe how the time has flown by! In the past few

weeks the weather has changed from nearly unbear-

able heat to cool mornings and evenings. I am now

wearing my Northface fleece to keep warm, and wear-

ing pants instead of shorts every day! In a few weeks

more at the end of November we’ll begin our rainy

season just in time for the Holidays.

First of all I want to share with you some short stories

that have really stuck in my heart of people I have met

here in Tijuana these past few weeks. I am beginning

to slowly understand more clearly the situation of

those around me especially through these encounters.

12-6-2012 9

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THEACLHIGRIHSTTIIANNTAHSELDAAMRPKLNIGESHSTER

Lighting a candle is a prayer;

When we have gone it stays alight

Kindling in the hearts and minds

Of others the prayers

We have

others

already

offered

for

them

and

for

For

and

the sad,

prayers

the sick, and the suffering

of thankfulness too.

lnwpoeilwwaAgioxlnagneohettttehdiructwstntehshlceetgdtaoeerheruhtlmehceeahiViehisamcniretahvimtdnlreiafpeunoigntactlangreihdrgnthlteehiMtihyingulhm.rthtpeametisnhtssmsadpsogetnhooor[sbtoeainn2uhn.ett0snehfgoBi0iobenuu2gwrhrirea]lt,itiesshcthItndyiheewlttraaoeyewtowmdyfmisrmonbotpkciwr.euonse.eiGlnudneTdabtlegohtdaeshdie,fntdnoahsyadutgverehspeweecekldeaooptnorbmhuaueeswoneloolwpddryndn--es

Lighting a candle is a parable;

Burning itself out,

It gives light to others.

Christ gave himself for others.

He calls us to give ourselves.

Lighting a candle is a symbol;

Of love and hope,

btnhfttCrTouiheiaahnlhrsiclnsnsidorkss.iciw.snyAhictTogsiatoahhu.tlnnflreeeoctuyiniarlreningbfpumeCeefaecofihetosohltrlromioaabsalwtellylwiilagabtfoonbhhoyfn,otretudtuhnluhseite.gesreTawfhlriaunehtgslfdolhloiitsigtgrwhmeehhhe,hwtetaysaighosithenaoroalnisvnoatedhherfeseeewlbwwelCedeefhhthahaaovcbrritnaeiksesesn-d--a

Of light and warmth.

Our world needs them all.

From A Canopy of Stars: Some Reflections for the Journey

by Fr Christopher Gleeson SJ [David Lovell Publishing

2003]

CtmaaTaihgInfarnhlufeiaetigenhrWmbhammmewetlpadlaeraaslarueiathynanghmtnilihdwn,eatfetuEtgeeetmdltnnorMo.acpgbcnarEborolekra,aaenruennycwrayaedehfasoesorhgtlsturiehnwigrmUoaeothhrtheftnetoihdrecilsyeovemhetoatrefooadu,irrsphssisirlsieeo:auitesogyposml,hpueaeatldaemrbeimnan,wopidncutblahoiateytgSnuehrhaBodrewtltfailehwessalbrba,inyo,etauyirinpowtnrwlhddeyugeeer.

PLEASRESPRRAY FOR

OUR SICK

MRS. PATRICIA LAWTON

sister of Fr. Tom Prendiville

12-6-2012 10

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PREORDER

Father Joseph Boenzi’s new book

St. Francis de Sales

Life & Spirit

Father Joe Boenzi, a Salesian of Don Bosco, is a well known scholar,

teacher and promoter of St. Francis de Sales and his spirit.

Here is what he says about Salesian Spirituality in the preface

of his book:

Salesian spirituality, molded by the experiences of Francis de

Sales, inculcated by Jane Francis de Chantal, articulated by Jean-

Pierre Camus, fostered by Louis Brisson, pastorally relaunched

by John Bosco, emphasizes what Vatican II would come to term

the universal call to holiness. It is an approach born of common

sense. God is sought in the ordinary events of life, where the pro-

fane is not separated from the sacred. The spirituality of Francis

de Sales and of those who follow his approach to the Gospel is at-

tentive to meeting the spiritual needs of lay men and women and

supporting them in their day-to-day commitments in the home,

in the workplace, and in society.

7 x 10, approx 300 pp.

Retail price: $24

SPECIAL PRE-ORDER price:

$20 if ordered by December 15

Publication date: January 2013

E-mail the following information to

desales@desalesresource.org or

fax/call us at 1-800-782-2270 to place your order.

No. of copies @ $20+ P&H ________________________

Name ________________________________________

Address _______________________________________

City, State, Zip _________________________________

E-Mail _______________________________________

INVOICE WILL BE SENT WITH YOUR ORDER.

Contents of the Book

Part I: Background, Vocation, Ministry

1. Historical and Political Context

2. Youthful Experience and Formation

3. Apostolic Vocation

4. Bishop and Shepherd

5. Francis de Sales and Calvinism

Part II. Foundation of the Visitation

6. Jane de Chantal: Making of a Founder

7. Visitation: A Community of Women for Women

8. A New Form of Religious Life

9. From Small Community to Religious Order

Part III. Legacy of a Devout Life

10. The Written Works of Saint Francis de Sales

11. Projects for Pastoral and Cultural Renewal

12. Last Days of Francis de Sales

13. Mother de Chantal: Living the Salesian Spirit

Part IV. Spiritual Theology

14. Francis de Sales and Theology

15. Historical Sources of Francis de Sales’s Spirituality

16. On Prayer

17. Love of God and Neighbor

18. Towards a Spirituality of Ordinary Life

19. The Devout Life and Practice of Virtue

20. Live Jesus!

Part V. Recognition of Virtues and Influence

21. Early Biographies

22. Process of Beatification and Canonization

23. Doctor of the Church

24. Patron of Communications

Appendix 1. Time Line for Francis de Sales

Appendix 2. Consecrated Life & Salesian Spirit

Appendix 3. Index of Persons

Selected Bibilography

Notes

These pages are the fruit of spoken sessions and living

experiences. I cannot claim to add anything to the great

work of so many scholars on themes that derive from

Francis de Sales and the Salesian tradition. I can only

hope that these pages continue to add to the conversa-

tion, allowing people to resonate with Francis de Sales

in their own circumstances. Joseph Boenzi, SDB

12-6-2012 11

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EDUCATIONAL

METHODOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

Education & Evangelization:

Girls & Young Women

Education & Evangelization:

Boys & Young Men

Individual & Group Rates (One Week)

1-2 participants $249 ea.

3-4 participants $225 ea.

5 + participants $198 ea.

These group rates include the required

texts, as well as a dinner each night.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The education and formation of young

people in today’s climate provides many

challenges as well as opportunities for the

educator. This two-part series of intensive

professional development courses present a

methodology for education in today’s

context. In the first part, Sr. Ann Cassidy,

FMA draws upon the research of contempo-

rary educators, as well as her own years of

experience, to highlight the effectiveness

of Salesian pedagogy, as well as to tailor

its educational methods to the education of

girls & young women. In the second part,

Fr. John Serio, SDB tailors it toward the

education and evangelization of boys &

young men. Although these two courses

may be taken separately, they are designed

to compliment each other.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS

Participants who complete the course work

will receive a certificate from the Institute

of Salesian Studies for 3 continuing educa-

tion units for each course.

GRADUATE UNITS

These courses are fully accredited by the

Dominican School of Philosophy & Theol-

ogy. Participants can obtain 1.5 graduate

units per course by registering as a “spe-

cial student” at DSPT instead of through

salesianstudies.org. For more information,

contact John Knutsen 510-883-2073 or via

email at jjkknnuutseenn@ddsspptt..eedduu.

salesianstudies.org/register

12-6-2012 12

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Nome società

Titolo n otiziario

Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation

A Publication of the Mission Department for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Mission

D ear Salesian missionaries

and friends of the Salesian

Missions!

A few weeks ago I received a very

valuable gift in Japan. Sr. Rosa, an

FMA of 82, painted during the Spiri-

tual retreat the whole journey of

faith of Mary. She drew on a 4 me-

ter roll of paper the journey from

the Virgin’s YES up to the upper

room while awaiting for Pentecost

with the Apostles. The roll recalls

the foundation of our Christian life

- the journey of faith can never be

stopped!

On the right hand side of the trip-

tych of Aparecida given by Bene-

dict XVI to the Church in America in

2007 there are three scenes from

the Bible depicting listening, and

on the left hand side three other

scenes of proclamation. The dy-

namics of a living faith are simple -

Listen to Jesus (Come to me!) and

be sent by Jesus (Go and proclaim)!

In the journey of Advent 2012 I in-

vite all to live with a heart more

open to Christ Jesus. We meet him

in the Word and the Eucharist, but

also in our young people, especially

non-Christians. Thanks to the young

people - who are awaiting our wit-

ness and word of faith – we can live

more fully the missionary mandate

of Jesus!

Fr. Václav Klement, SDB

Councilor for the Missions

Rediscover the experience of the Salesian

“sodalities” and of missionary groups

I n the November 2012 issue of the Italian Salesian Bulletin

Fr. Pascual Chávez wrote that «almost instinctively, Don

Bosco felt the importance of “social reinforcement” in the for-

mation of young people, especially those formed by friends and

peers. Young people need friends like the air they breathe. The

gang, peer group, group of friends can badly influence even

the well educated youth. Don Bosco, in his genial pedagogical

instinct, invented a “place” for friends which brings out the

best in them».

The Rector Major underlined that «social ties and friendships

are an important protective factor. A person is satisfied when

he feels recognised, endorsed, supported, treated with kind-

ness by people with whom he lives ... the “sodalities” devel-

oped from these insights as original and fruitful experience of

youth groups, and became part of the Salesian panorama. To-

day, the charismatic heritage is passed on to the Salesian

Youth Movement (SYM). It is an educative movement offered to

all young people, to make them subjects and protagonists of

their own human and Christian growth, with a will to have an

influence in the neighborhood and in civil society in which it is

inserted and make its contribution to the local church».

It is also in this light that the missionary groups in every Sale-

sian presence fosters the revival of the missionary conscious-

ness of young people and of the whole Educative Pastoral Com-

munity in order to achieve new levels of faith and commit-

ment, with a specific interest in sharing their faith in Christ,

witness of life, and Christian solidarity. As a result, the mis-

sionary group revitalises the enthusiasm for the faith and the

fascination for the Salesian charism. It helps to «overcome

faith fatigue and rediscover the joy of being Christians, of be-

ing sustained by the inner happiness of knowing Christ and be-

longing to his Church» (Benedict XVI). This, in turn, stirs up the

ardour that gives birth to new vocations.

May Christ be the centre of our Christmas celebrations!

Happy New Year 2013!

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God blesses the generous giver

While participating in youth groups during my adolescence I often heard

the experiences of missionaries who narrated to us their adventures and difficulties. This

awakened in me the desire to be a priest and work in foreign lands surrounded by many young peo-

ple. I think that for the first time it made me think seriously about God's call to follow him more

closely. On the other hand the witness of so many priests who were fully committed to their priestly

ministry while seeing in their faces the joy in what they did motivated me to give my response to

God. Seeing the problems of the world especially of the youth, later made me ask myself if Jesus

Christ had given his life for me why can’t I dedicate mine

for the good of others, as a response to His great love?

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of our Salesian

Congregation the Rector Major Fr. Pascual Chávez asked

each Province to send 1 Salesian as missionary. I had ap-

plied to be a missionary during my novitiate so I reminded

my Provincial of this desire of mine to which he graciously

acceded to.

Many people asked me «Mexico needs missionaries, why do

you want to be a missionary ad gentes? » Little by little I

discovered that faith must be lived without borders and

that if God gives one the gift of the missionary vocation he

must respond to it with generosity. God does not allow that

the place left by a missionary to go to other places remains

empty, God blesses the generous giver. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said «give until it hurts»,

which means give from our poverty. This is what my Province has done with my becoming a mission-

ary. Yet Mexico needs so many missionaries to awaken the lethargic faith of many people, to give

hope to many people living in fear, insecurity, spiritual and material poverty, it also needs mission-

aries who are passionate about the ideals of Jesus Christ. I truly believe that through our witness of

life and the joy of living this call of God, He Himself will raise up among our young people vocations

to work for the needy in Mexico and world over.

God has called me to work in Peru. As a Salesian missionary I am immensely happy in living my voca-

tion because I feel the close presence of God who has called me to share his mission in other lands,

with other young people. I know God has big plans for me and I'm willing to say "yes" with the help of

our Mother, Help of Christians.

To young Salesians I say: If God calls you to be a missionary do not hesitate to answer his call. You

will see that God will bless you greatly. Live your life worthily by giving it to God in the place where

He will send you. Be generous with him and you will experience the fullness of joy!

Fr. Alfonso Abarca Patricio

Mexican, missionary in Peru

Salesian Missionary Intention

Mission for Hispanic migrants in the United States

That the Salesians of the American continent are made aware of the

phenomenon of migration in order to prepare a regional plan in this regard .

International migration in the whole American continent is one of the most important

signs of our times. It has grown dramatically over the last twenty years. Statistics tell us

that now there are about 50 million Hispanic migrants in the United States, making up

70% of the Catholic community of the country. Due to the lack of pastors about 600,000 migrant Catholics in the

United States leave the Church each year. During the 2011 team visit to the 13 Provinces of the American continent,

the Rector Major has called on all Provinces in the region to raise the awareness of confreres regarding the phe-

nomenon of migration and to prepare a regional plan in this regard.

All previous issues of "Cagliero 11" are available at purl.org/sdb/sdl/Cagliero

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