InTouchNovember1 2012b


InTouchNovember1 2012b



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USA West Province Newsletter
Building Bridges Between Communities
Nov. 1
2012
Provincial’s Letter
“ “Our entire
educational
and evangelical
mission is to
form honest
citizens and
good Christians.
Honest citizens
vote.
As important as
it is to vote, we
must go beyond the
campaign rhetoric
and reflect on the
issues and political
choices. We
ought to study the
issues well before
heading to the
polls, forming our
positions carefully,
not according to
party affiliation,
but according to the
Gospel.”
November 1, 2012
Solemnity of All Saints
It has been said that Don
Bosco advises us to avoid
politics. What can that
mean as we here in the US
face an election day next
Tuesday?
Our entire educational
and evangelical mission
is to form honest citi-
zens and good Christians.
Honest citizens vote. As
Catholic Christians we
cannot disengage and re-
main uninvolved in the
big discussions about
taxes, unemployment,
healthcare, immigration,
the economy.
As important as it is to
vote, we must go beyond
the campaign rhetoric
and reflect on the issues
and political choices. We
ought to study the issues
well before heading to the
polls, forming our posi-
tions carefully, not accord-
ing to party affiliation, but
according to the Gospel.
Yes, communities ought
to discuss the candidates,
the issues, the proposi-
tions, the referendums, all
in an atmosphere of atten-
tive listening, respect for
other views, and search
for the common good.
The US bishops have pub-
lished a handy document
that we ought to reflect
on, Forming Consciences
for faithful Citizenship: A
Call to Political Respon-
sibility. “The document
does not offer a voter’s
guide, scorecard of issues
or direction on how to
vote.” Rather it gives us
a chance for a new kind
of political engagement,
an engagement shaped by
the moral convictions of
well formed consciences
and focused on the digni-
ty of every human being.
So I encourage us all to
vote, but to vote in a pre-
pared and informed way,
a way informed not only
by study and reflection
but also by prayer. As
Salesians we are about the
transformation of society
into, as we say in our daily
prayer to St. John Bosco
after spiritual reading, “a
civilization of love.”
And finally, I urge myself
and everyone to enter
this process with great
openness to one another,
especially to those who
take different positions
from ours. Discussing
politics can lead to argu-
ments. This is what Don
Bosco advised against,
but on the other hand he
also said “In those things
which are for the ben-
efit of young people in
danger or which serve to
win souls for God, I push
ahead even to the extent
of recklessness” (C 19).
This Tuesday’s local, state
and national elections
offer us Salesians a mo-
ment in which to grow
one in heart and soul
with each another, and at
the same time to contrib-
ute to the transformation
of society for the good of
the young and the poor.
Sincerely,
Rev. Timothy Ploch, SDB
Provincial
I encourage us all to
vote, but to vote in a
prepared and informed
way, a way informed
not only by study and
reflection but also by
prayer.

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PROVINCIAL’S
CALENDAR
Year
of Faith
November 2012
1 Members Meeting,
St. Francis High School, Watsonville
alw“aRyesjo. Iicweiilnl stahyeitLoargdain:
Rejoice!”
2 Review Board Meeting
3-6 Office Days
7-9 Provincial Council Meeting,
Camp St. Francis
10 Bosco Fest, Richmond
Education of the heart
11-13 Office Days
IowSainyBhfamlypioaiotrspSpmruhaetsglaeagnccyelmttiaeogeelhnnniys?rt:eesitnbiaOietnsidaonyoetnslelinsditdattcshiatsemanbfihyeenrdaec,eepectiflo“hincoesapvriodaurpesaetmnasbtedalegeteariunurvrohctalcdnehglaaaraidauyetptbytitly,sisroiolroeseiwentfdltnhlaitsthobichhleaweiiontneetrnnhyfaytop,oepiwsttcrwfwuhpuehekneoraecgnmlwcereoPodoltdnao”oowrinisseseknuwscsrvihngcoanaieiottfttvcnsoaihiweentDoutcinritgnlesvolhttdleisoeouynendf-
14
15
West Contra Costa Salesian
B&GCA Board Meeting
Office Days
rWttAoitohehrdeesteaaem(Sycg1ahrir5lgieanec0nhcsoh0teitc,ae-arr1oncas,of7ktoem,0Jdore0apuus)nculc.raeassatneetbColltvhrehhe?urebsmiWy:usdttae,honneaitmnitthteyredpt,htoyioyneonttuchMoeonemyegythnsamfteliniincuvhddaenelnaitacdheBraduetotrlodobtersy?fy,,
etc.?
Fr. Pascual Chavez, SDB
STRENNA 2013
2 11-1-2012

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Provincial Council Meeting
October 1 – 3, 2012
Agenda Summary
Location: Don Bosco Tech, Rosemead
1. Shared Reflections
Fr. Tim Ploch led personal re-
flections on the four sections of
the letter of Fr. Pascual Chavez
on Mary the Immaculate Help of
Christians.
2. Province Delegations
The Council discussed the reor-
ganization of the two delegations:
Social Communication and The S
Programs. Both the leadership of
the delegations and the support-
ing committees were approved.
3. Invited Speakers
a) Jose Lucero: Covering both
topics, Jose Lucero reflected
with the Council on prepara-
tion for the coming Provin-
cial Chapter, April 1-5, 2013.
Along with a time-line of
deadlines to prepare for the
Chapter, the election of the
local community delegates for
the Chapter will be held in the
month of October. Vocation
Ministry: Jose Lucero intends
to visit each community and
review the local vocation plan.
A discernment weekend will
be scheduled when De Sales
Hall is open and ready.
b) Juan Carlos Montenegro: Juan
Carlos led a discussion of sev-
eral topics: (1) Preparation for
the regional meeting of pro-
vincials in Rosemead is com-
plete. (2) A Salesian Mission
rosary Day is scheduled for
Oct. 15, 2012. (3) A discus-
sion on the steps required for
the placement of a Volunteer
in the province. (4) The con-
ference in Quito on the impor-
tance of a missionary culture
within the province.
4. Formation
Nick Reina introduced these top-
ics: (a) Summer evaluations of
Salesians in initial formation. (b)
Report on the regional meeting of
province formation delegates in
Santo Domingo. (c) Salesian sum-
mer retreats.
5. Finances/Administration
Joseph Farias led a discussion of
these topics: (a) The organiza-
tion and funding of a pilgrimage
to places of Salesian heritage in
2015. (b) Financial arrangements
in the houses of formation. (c)
Information on the newly reorga-
nized Province Finance Advisory
Committee.
6. Preparation for the Extraor-
dinary Visitation
Along with the reports for the
individual communities of the
province, the over-all view of the
province is being prepared by
provincial council members: Tom
Mass on the geographic, social
conditions of California and Tex-
as; T. Prendiville, a history of the
province and charts; Tim Ploch
on the implementation of the last
extraordinary visit and structures.
A revised draft will follow. Next
month will include Formation by
Nick Reina and Youth Ministry by
Al Vu.
7. Other topics
Personnel; Coming Events; Evalu-
ation of Leadership Meeting, Sept.
17; Province committee for the
Bicentenary; Care Ministry.
3 11-1-2012

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Thank you
letters from
the Provincials
who participated
in our Inter-America
Meeting
Our Province Rocks!!!
Fr. Santo from Peru
wrote: “Once again,
thank you to the entire
province for all their
kindness. This experi-
ence has been some-
thing really beautiful
and well organized.
This was truly Salesian”
Fr. John Jairo from Colombia
Medellin wrote: “Thank you so
much to all the people who
organized this meeting. To all
of you many blessings from
above! The fruits from this
meeting are fraternity, good
environment, happiness, work
… Salesianity! Everything was
excellent.”
Fr. Cleo from Mexico-
Guadalajara wrote: “The San
Francisco Province has made
us feel at home and really
happy. The things I have to
thank the province for are
limitless. You made us feel
good in the middle of the
work and this family
dynamic that we lived as
provincials was great”
Fr. Cristobal from Bolivia wrote: “I just gave the good night to the pre-novitiates and I
shared with them that the thing that I valued the most in this meeting was the whole
participation of the Salesian communities and the Salesian family. Thank you so
much”
4 11-1-2012

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You may NOT want
to read this one…
Dear brothers and sisters,
This past week has been a blessing for
all of the provincials from our InterA-
merica region, as well as for all of us
in the province of San Francisco. The
generous hospitality that was shown
to the provincials of our region by our
various communities and different
branches of the Salesian Family has
caused me to reflect and be grateful
for the gift of so many in their energy,
willingness, and love shown to the
provincials and their meeting.
In particular I would like to thank the
team that Fr. Tim appointed to work
alongside me to host this meeting: Fr.
Joseph Paradayil, Bro. Tom Mass, Bro.
Al Vu, and Myriam Rodriguez. Since
February, this team met to brainstorm,
plan, and prepare that every detail
for the provincials meeting would be
ready. Along the way the team ex-
panded and we invited Lisa Dreyer
and Gina Robles to collaborate.
No sooner did these brainstorms of
ideas become reality. Homemade eth-
nic foods by different groups of the
Salesian Family were being prepared
not only to quench the appetite of the
provincials, but also to introduce to
them to the rich cultural diversity of
our province. Special souvenirs and
gifts from our schools, parishes, and
various people of generous heart were
gathered to be given as reminders of
our strong identity as Salesians. Menus
for dinners by our local communities
were drawn up to help the provincials
gather to not only to unwind after a
long day of work, but also to come to
know the good work we are doing on
behalf of the young in this province.
5 11-1-2012
Finally, letters from our young peo-
ple welcoming the provincials to our
province were collected; this by far
was one of their favorite gifts!
All of this may sound impossible, but
we are Salesian and with that we en-
listed over 75 volunteers. YES, 75 peo-
ple came together to help make this
meeting the best ever. I cannot thank
all these amazing SALESIAN people
enough for their time, availability,
love and support. This example of col-
laboration and love has shown me
that when we work together amazing
things will happen. This is a hallmark
of this province. Whether it be prepar-
ing for this meeting of the provincials
or the relics of our founder, we as a
Salesian family know how to come to-
gether and share the gifts we have for
the greater good.
I am challenged to imagine if all of us
continue to support our future Prov-
ince events in this very same way what
kind of witness then we become for
the young and the kind of vocations
we will receive because they saw how
generous and readily willing people
were to give of their lives to the Sale-
sian Mission. I think the Holy Spirit
continues to work in our province and
it is moments like this that I believe
the Spirit is challenging us to find the
many opportunities to work alongside
each other, share our gifts, and witness
our love of Christ to the young.
May each of you be blessed for the
generosity you shared with the pro-
vincials, whether in small ways or in
extraordinary contributions.
Humbly in the Lord’s service,
Jc

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VOCATION
CULTUREDiocesan Vocations
coming from our Salesian Works
SCeeIaabmOtviaoOncineetwnuanpdchgrrtnraoldyoFtooJsdmSholotryfiiaaevaichedeCdllntedensamaPzahostpyatnieBreehaekisdOnaoenrekntlisssundochowtwoctsmeadawonoootwswasebnrnrwyadskeehut”atrhtrsvahsmose:taos2aofNrtmeecr6taeonnnwai,DpecstmtoIiopiaikeotontwnrrnenTDnatcteatielanhiBsstoltdfmosoteiwnohocatbistohwfBsnshTcernuoocsoooehcopalsomceupayryecomoelsroirosnnlidiSnuooveestTgaensgt.iSseottdtygBesuhacheenarlhrfomareniotateotdtswsrleepdidogenacnthee.nnhtaadoothWwelesnsple.aibhodPAlenyeoouSagscrhtettracohhofarioyhrusavdwfothdvltihdhmceaeieaoeevarsnccceetDGa“oaderCoyclmsyiolanoJeiatdunlteheclleo.lsgeea-fnotfdsrtitueLnoohatmoesosf
AIhBItciLnconratwoeigohlgdltanedi.gtnslusToeewikgssdhtGr.hscieietsooroaaiingndtsnaitd’stsvggitenereicjeneusosaiatenilmJltntugthetieosnhvtatghgeaptinrentrtte’shasthatehyecheteigafoerPsousnueverrycgi,otseNohwacsputaitotcuhrtDhkiaryooegosoaoynuenundmimwndnBagegaaonJnsyumstdthcsfnottoeReoiosnineTttrselaebaicergrcneaeeeihlddojyl.roiuoenfiinossungprnliNitnoafgoeignlcl.mtdktyhhi’eosenenucgPSnarrtasegoielesempsGastoti-eoanSnnddt’s.s-.
6 11-1-2012
Blessings,
P. Jose

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VOCATION
CULTURE
Benito Guerrero, Jr. is a native Tex-
an, born in San Antonio but raised
in Austin. He is the eldest of three
boys. Both of his younger brothers
are married and have children. He
has lived his entire life in Texas so
being away from home, from his
parents, family and friends took
some adjusting. But by the grace of
God, things get better and better as
each day passes.
After several years of discerning
Contact Fr. Jose Lucero, sdb
Vocation Director
infor@salesianvocation.org
salesian.vocation@facebook.com
Benito
Guerrero, Jr.
candidate
God’s call, Benito decided to enter
the candidacy program with the
Salesians. Many have found this
decision quite surprising, but those
of us with faith know that God cer-
tainly works in mysterious ways.
He was baptized in the Church as
a baby but not brought up practic-
ing his faith. It wasn’t until 2005,
as an adult, that he received the
Sacraments of First Holy Commu-
nion and Confirmation. From that
point on he never left the Church.
His adult formation classes were
taught by one of the Salesian Sis-
ters. Once Benito received the Sac-
raments, he immediately become
involved in various ministries of
the parish. First starting out as a
Lector and Eucharistic Minister.
The Eucharist became extremely
important to him and so he sought
ways to bring others closer to the
Sacrament. Inevitably, he began
helping in the religious education
program run by another Salesian Sis-
ter. He eventually became a catechist
preparing children to receive their
First Holy Communion and contin-
ued assisting in the program in many
ways for the next 7 years.
In working so closely with the Sale-
sian Sisters, Benito learned about St.
John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello.
He quickly fell in love with their en-
thusiasm for working with the young.
He even underwent formation to be-
come a Salesian Cooperator. As the
years passed, people would tell him
that he should consider joining the
priesthood but he would just laugh off
their comments. Even though he was
extremely involved in parish life there
was no way he was going to become
a priest. Benito recounts a joke where
this is concerned; “How do you make
God Laugh? Tell him YOUR plans!”
“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
After much reflection, he began won-
dering if all these comments were
God’s way of “calling” him. He kept it
in prayer and spoke to various people
and then finally decided to speak to
the Salesians about discernment op-
tions. Benito is now in the candidacy
program in Bellflower discerning
God’s call for his life. While it may
seem a little bit scary, he encourages
all those who may have the slightest
feeling that God is calling them to the
priesthood or religious life, to follow
that call. We pray that God gives Beni-
to and all others the courage and the
strength to seek out their vocation.
7 11-1-2012

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the 10th Anniversary of the dedication of
St. D ominic Savio Church
“Let Us Go to the House of the Lord.”
On the evening of Friday, October 26th the commu-
nity of St. Dominic Savio parish celebrated the 10th
Anniversary of the dedication of the new church.
The church was filled with parishioners, old and new
friends. Bishop Alexander Salazar was the main cel-
ebrant. It was also a great privilege to have the Provin-
cials from the Inter-American Region present concel-
ebrating the Mass as well.
The celebration began with a beautiful liturgical dance
by students from St. Dominic Savio school. They
danced to the song “Go Light Your World.” Which
seamlessly lead to the lighting of the four candles lo-
cated in each of the corners of the church. In his hom-
ily, Bishop Salazar reminded us that like our baptism,
after the construction of a new worship space, the
church also gets “baptized.” When we are baptized, we
receive the anointing of the Holy Chrism and so does
the altar of the new church. We receive a candle to re-
mind us to continue to look to Jesus as the light of the
world and the church also receives a candle so that all
8 11-1-2012
who enter the sacred space are reminded to keep the
love for Jesus enkindled in our hearts.
A true sense of unity and family spirit was palpable
and very much filled the church. I was moved when
during the prayers of the faithful, the response was re-
cited in four different languages. Thus symbolizing the
various cultures that make up the parish community.
The preparing of the altar for the Liturgy of the Eu-
charist was another touching moment. Various mem-
bers of the community brought forth beautiful ethnic
cloths to adorn the altar, which to me was yet another
sign that each of our cultural backgrounds is like a del-
icate thread that when weaved together make a beauti-
ful quilt.
While there were many poignant moments through-
out the evening’s celebration, one of my favorites was
seeing Fr. Ted Montemayor and Fr. Gael Sullivan up at
the altar during the consecration. It only seemed fit-
ting since Fr. Gael was responsible for the construction

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of the church 10 years ago and now Fr. Ted is charged
with continuing that legacy.
The music throughout the liturgy was very uplifting
and vibrant. Many commented on how much the mu-
sic added to an already spectacular event. Those in at-
tendance were fortunate enough to have the choir and
cantors among us utilizing their talents in order to
honor and praise God.
After Mass, outside the church we were greeted by a
mariachi band and folklorico dancers, which would be
the entertainment for the evening. Everyone began to
make their way to the parish center to enjoy a variety
of dishes prepared by the various parish ministries.
Many acknowledgments to everyone involved in the
night’s planning and especially to those who helped
make the construction of the new church possible were
made at the end of Mass, which reminds us that alone
we can do nothing, but with God all things are pos-
sible. In the spirit of gratitude, let us keep the parish
community of St. Dominic Savio in prayer, so that they
may deepen the sense of unity amongst all parishio-
ners. For all the intentions of the parish community, let
us ask our Heavenly Father to continue to:
Óyenos Señor;
Dinggin mo kami;
Xin nham loi chúng con;
Hear our prayer, O Lord.
- Benito Guerrero, Jr.
Various parish community members
about to process in with the tapestries
that will be placed on the altar.
The sharing of the Word of God.
bTpehegerifnsotnurimndgeinnogtfsttohhfeeiSrEtlu.itDcuhoragmriicisnatiilccdSCaaenvlceieobrasatcthtiohoneo.l
The choir, who
fitting for the
pervoevniidnegd’esxcceellleebnrtamtiouns.ic
9 11-1-2012
Members
of the parish bring
offertory gifts.
in
the

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cSiaallseosifatnhseoIfnUteSrA-AWmineegsrtiMcaaannsdsR.tehgeiovnisictoinngcePlreobvriant--
Fr. Gael Sullivan,SFaovrimo ePraPriashst.or of St. Dominic
Father Tim vPilsoitcihnginPtrroodviuncciinagls.each of the
What a beautfiofurml moefsdsaagnecer.elayed in the
“Let Us Go to the House of the Lord.”
Bishop AlexpaonigdneranStalhaozmarildye. livering his
Fr. Ted MontemSaayvoior,PPaarsistho.r of St. Dominic
Parishitohneefrisnarel alidnyeinngupthoenmthseelvaeltsatro. place
10 11-1-2012
Fr. Leo BoafySsti.nDgoerm, FinoircmSearviAosPsoacriisahte. Pastor

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Saints Peter & Paul
Community Celebrates the
Feast of Blessed Michael Rua
By Bro. Joseph Lockwood, SDB
Blessed Michael Rua is very close to the Saints Peter & Paul Commu-
nity, Fr. John Itzaina, the Director and Pastor, explained to the parish-
ioners at the Mass of Blessed Michael Rua. It was Don Rua who, in
1895, had summoned Father Raphael Piperni to Turin, Italy, and given
him the assignment to come to San Francisco, California, and begin
the Salesian apostolate with the Italian immigrants.
In 1897 the first Salesian work in the United States was founded right
here. In gratitude the community celebrated the Feast of Blessed Mi-
chael Rua.
What does Don Rua teach us? How was he able to rise to the glory of paradise
and to the exaltation that the Church gives to him today? Just by teaching us to be
continuers; that is, followers, pupils, teachers, if you like, provided we are disciples
of a higher Teacher. Pope Paul VI
11 11-1-2012
The first Salesians
to the United
States: Seated left
to right: Fr. Ra-
phael Piperni, (first
Director and Pas-
tor of SS Peter and
Paul Church, San
Francisco) leader
of the expedition;
Blessed Michael
Rua, St. John Bos-
co’s successor; Fr.
Valentino Cassini
(first pastor of Cor-
pus Christi Church,
San Francisco);
Standing: Seminar-
ian Brother Joseph
Oreni; Coadjutor
Brother Nicholas
Imielinski.
a
5

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Salesian Family San Antonio , Texas
DON
Oct.
BOSCO,
27, 2012
the
educator
By Maria Elena Vasquez
Our first Salesian Family Day was held at St. John
Bosco Elementary in San Antonio, Texas on October
27, 2012. Present at the event were about 125 people
from several different communities and ministries.
Attendees from the Salesian Family were members
from the SDBs, FMA, Salesian Cooperators, ADMA,
Past Pupils, VIDES, teachers and staff from Salesian
schools, catechists who work closely with the Sisters
and a Spanish speaking ministry group from Austin
called Jornada Juvenil who listened to Sr. Dolores
Riojas translate the event’s main presentation.
We gathered in the school gym where we listened to
joyful music playing in the background and watched
a slide show of the activities which had taken place
in different branches of our Salesian family. We en-
joyed refreshments and hot chocolate provided by
Salesian Cooperators, Martin & Irma Bijarro from
San Antonio, who later also provided a delicious
Tex-Mex lunch. Many were happily catching up
with old friends, however, most of us were being in-
troduced to members we’ve heard stories about but
never had the privilege to meet until this day. It tru-
ly was a family reunion! It was touching to see past
pupils recognize their past educators as they greeted
the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians who now
reside in the Provincial House nearby.
The master of ceremonies, Claudia Jimenez, from
Laredo, expressed our gratitude to our Heavenly Fa-
ther as she lead us in a song, “This is the Day”. Unit-
ed in Mary, we prayed with Sr. Theresa Sironi and
listened to a reading from the Gospel of Luke 1:46.
Sr. Patricia King introduced our guest speaker,
Fr. Joe Boenzi, who was brought to us, via Skype,
from Rome. We received him with a warm Texas
greeting. In his presentation, he painted the vivid
images of the economical, political, industrial, so-
cial and spiritual circumstances Don Bosco faced
among the people of Italy during his ministry. He
also explained how Don Bosco created a sense of
unity by drawing the youth to our Blessed Mother.
With her help, the youth became honest citizens and
good Christians. After Fr. Boenzi’s presentation,
we were given an opportunity to break into small
groups where we shared any insights from what
we’ve learned and formulated questions for further
information about how Don Bosco accomplished so
much with the youth and overturned so much cor-
ruption in businesses and how we can apply these
lessons to our present time.
The event was closed with a short walk to the cha-
pel at the Provincial House where we celebrated the
Holy Mass. Our celebrant was Fr. Michael Gergen
who joined us from the only Salesian parish in the
state of Texas, San Luis Rey parish in Laredo. Just
as we opened this day, with our Blessed Mother, Fr.
Mike invited us to look at Mary to imitate her in her
service and to place our trust in her just as St. John
Bosco did.
We thank God for such a successful event and pray
for the intercession of the Blessed Mother and Don
Bosco as we continue side by side in spreading the
Salesian Spirituality wherever we go. Every attendee
played a very important role in making this a suc-
cessful event and we appreciate everyone’s presence.
We look forward to doing this again next year.
12 11-1-2012

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Don Rua:
Loyalty and Kindness
Lead to Grand Works!
By Benito Guerrero, Jr.
This past Monday, Octo-
ber 29th marked the Feast
Day of Blessed Michael
Rua. In order to celebrate
this important member
of the Salesian Family, the
candidates were asked to
present various aspects of
Don Rua’s life to the De
Sales Hall and St. John
Bosco communities. Also
present were the Salesian
Sisters and the Postulants
from St. Dominic Savio.
Throughout the course
of the presentation, we
learned that when young
Michael Rua first met Don
Bosco, he was told by Don
Bosco that they would
go halves in everything.
While Michael Rua didn’t
fully understand what
that meant at the time, he
would eventually come
to find out God’s plan for
him and we would come
to know how important
he would be to Don Bos-
co and the entire Sale-
sian Family. Michael Rua
would come to stay at the
Oratory in order to begin
13 11-1-2012
his studies for the priest-
hood. Soon he would be-
come the spiritual direc-
tor of the Salesians before
even being ordained a
priest himself. Once or-
dained, he would become
the first member of the
Salesians and even ac-
companied Don Bosco to
Rome to meet with Pope
Pius IX in order to present
Don Bosco’s plans of start-
ing a religious congrega-
tion. Don Rua quickly be-
came extremely important
to Don Bosco and vice
versa. Don Bosco became
a model for Don Rua,
he admired Don Bosco’s
works and actions. Don
Bosco entrusted the boys
of the Oratory only to Don
Rua’s care. Don Rua often-
times would even have
to take over Don Bosco’s
own duties.
As the years progressed
Don Bosco began to wor-
ry about who would carry
on his works, but I’m sure
he knew that Don Rua
was more than capable.
However, just to be sure,
Don Bosco sent Don Rua
to Mirabello as Rector of
the Salesian school. It was
during this time that Don
Rua began to fully embody
the spirit of Don Bosco. It
was said that in Mirabello
Don Rua acted just as Don
Bosco did in Turin. The
children flocked to Don
Rua just as they did with
Don Bosco. It appeared
that Don Rua was doing
remarkable work, how-
ever, he would soon be
called to return to Turin.
Upon his return, Don
Bosco quickly began to
hand over much of the
day-to-day responsibili-
ties to Don Rua. It was
obvious, with Don Bosco’s
declining health, that he
was grooming Don Rua
to be his successor. Sure
enough, in 1888, Pope
Leo XIII, at Don Bosco’s
request, named Don Rua
as Rector Major. Don Rua
would hold this office lon-
ger than other other suc-
cessor to date.
Don Rua’s humility and
kindness and his desire
to carry on the work that
Don Bosco began lead to
increased vocations, in-
creased numbers of Sale-
sian communities and the
creation of more prov-
inces. In fact, because of
Don Rua’s works and ac-
complishments, Pope Paul
VI said at Don Rua’s be-
atification ceremony that:
“The Salesian Family owes
its origin to Don Bosco, to
Fr. Rua its continuation...
he developed the Saint’s
example into a school, his
Rule into a spirit, his ho-
liness into a model. He
turned the spring into a
river.”
We certainly owe a debt
of gratitude to Don Bosco
for starting the Salesian
Family, but also to Don
Rua for courageously em-
bodying the spirit of Don
Bosco and furthering the
entire Salesian movement.

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A little miracle
in this Year of Faith
Fr. Jim Nieblas, SDB
As we come to the end of the foot-
ball season and the month of the ro-
sary, I would like to share with you a
little miracle which took place after
one of the football games at Bishop
Mora Salesian High School.
At present our record is 7 wins and 1
loss. The head coach of the football
team is Mr. Roddy Hiatt who does
an outstanding ministry, along
with the other coaches on staff
here at Salesian. Mr. Hiatt is a
very devoted person to Our Lady
of the Rosary, and before and af-
ter each game the whole team says
the rosary.
So after our victory over Whittier
Christian High School, the team
was reciting the rosary and they
were on the third decade. Leading
the rosary was a student, Moses
Dominguez, who is the team man-
ager and aspires to be a priest some-
day. Moses asked Mr. Hiatt what
the intention for the third decade
should be, Coach said, “For a safe
trip home.” Some moments after a
car suddenly blocked the bus
and the driver ran out. The coach
told the team to stay in the bus and
after a short conversation with the
driver, the coach ran back and told
the team, “the bus is on fire.. .get
out!!”. The team moved fast and I be-
lieve our Blessed Mother kept them
all safe. The bus was not totaled but
it was a late night for the members
of the team.
Was this a miracle? Well to our stu-
dents, staff and myself it was Our
Lady and Don Bosco protecting our
boys. In this Year of Faith and Evan-
gelization our students, along with
their teachers and parents have had
their faith renewed in this little life
moment situation.
14 11-1-2012

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Opting for the poor
E.L.A. Salesian Youth Movement
Serving the least
In E.L.A. our youth leaders are on the move
in our option for the poor and the least. Start-
ing this school year, our leaders have organ-
ized various projects that will be taking place
throughout the year.
Our kick off was at the L.A. AIDS WALK
2012. In which we fundraised $500 for Pro-
ject L. A.’s cure for AIDS. We also had our
highest participation of 45 youth walking
9miles to support this effort.
Following that week we made a monthly
commitment with our sister parish Dolores
Mission a Jesuit parish that is pretty much a
leader on helping the poor and homeless.
Dolores Mission hosts a men’s shelter every
day starting with a hot meal and prayer. Our
Salesian Youth Movement at the parish and
clubs started by hosting a pozole and hor-
chata dinner. The men at the shelter were
impressed to see our young people so humble
and friendly.
Our young people are enjoying this new area
of ministry at our parish that focuses on a
living gospel and walking the talking of our
faith.
Enjoy the pics and keep our ministry for the
poor in your prayers.
Ministries in the Southland, if you would like to join us
in our monthly service to the poor, please contact Gaby
for more info.
15 11-1-2012

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By: Bro. Joseph Lockwood, SDB
SCE finally
showed up!
DE SALES HALL, BELLFLOWER
12
1. Wood panel in the chapel refinished.
2. Stained glass window: The stain glass window for the Blessed Sacrament Altar (installed)
3. SCE crew installing the new transformer.
Tuesday (October 30, 2012) the SCE construction
crew showed up to provide power for De Sales Hall.
The work began with the running of high voltage
lines from the power pole to the transformer. The
crew installed the necessary conduits to the pole
and pulled the wires to the transformer. Once the
transformer is installed, the high voltage lines and
the lines from the meter panel will be connected
to the transformer. Then the switch will be turned
on. We will see.
In the meantime, the painters have refinished the
wood panels and done all the touch up in the cha-
pel. The chapel is now ready for the carpeting. The
door stops have also been installed in the rooms.
The Public Works up-grades (the entrance apron
for the parking lot, the removal of the apron in
front of the pedestrian’ gate and sidewalk repairs)
have begun.
Now it is time to schedule all the different inspec-
3
tions.
16 11-1-2012

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MAY THEY REST IN
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
e
PETER NGUYEN NGO
October 26, 2012
brother-in-law of Fr. Peter Bui, SDB
TIMOTHY WONG
October 28, 2012
DBTI alumnus
youngest son of Maria Wong.
Salesian Cooperator
fqe
PLEASE PRAY FOR
OUR SICK
f
Odila Martinez
96 years of age
mother of Bro. Ernest Martinez, SDB
Doris Roche
mother of Fr. John Roche, SDB
Gina Robles
Youth Ministry Office
Bro. Tony Freitas, SDB
hospitalized
Ray MacRae
severe stroke
father of Aline Cox
longtime Edmonton supporter
f
17 11-1-2012
Memorial Mass
for
Deacon
Michael Doherty
f
WHEN:
November 10, 2012
DAY:
Saturday
TIME:
1:00pm
WHERE:
Holy Name
of Jesus Church
1555 - 39th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
We continue to pray for
our brother Michael
INTOUCH
PROVINCIAL NEWSLETTER
GD3
Salesians of St. John Bosco
1100 Franklin Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
E-­mail: intouch@salesiansc.org
Weekly publications will be
distributed on Thursdays. Please
submit news for publication by
Friday of each week.
Send contributions to:
intouch@salesiansc.org.
GD3

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INTENSIVE
SALESIAN COURSES
SALESIAN
PEDAGOGY
Education & Evangelization:
Girls & Young Women
Education & Evangelization:
Boys & Young Men
18 11-1-2012
For the Salesian Family, the entire academic year
2012-2013 is dedicated to the study of St. John
Bosco’s Educational Methodology, a Salesian
Pedagogy. Therefore, the Institute of Salesian
Studies is offering two week-long intensive
courses. The first week presents a pedagogical
approach to the education and evangelization of
girls & young women, and the second week for
boys & young men.
Although these two weeks of courses stand on
their own, the two weeks are designed to compli-
ment each other. You may register for one or two
weeks.
Week One
Sr. Ann Cassidy, FMA draws upon the research of
contemporary educators, as well as her own years
of experience, to highlight the effectiveness of
Salesian pedagogy, as well as to tailor its educa-
tional methods to the education of girls & young
women.
Week Two
Fr. John Serio, SDB, tailors his course toward the
Salesian educational and evangelical approach
for boys & young men.
Continuing Education/Graduate UNITS
If you wish to take these courses for graduate or
continuing education units, email:
info@salesianstudies.org
Or contact Fr. John Roche at 510-204-0801
salesianstudies.org/register

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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
Migrants: brothers & sisters to be welcomed & a resource for the Congregation
D. .
ear Salesian missionaries
and friends of the Salesian
Missions!
At the end of No-
vember the Provin-
cials of Europe will
meet for the fourth
time. Project
Europe, launched in
2008 has already pro-
duced some fruits for
the revitalisation of
the Salesian charism
and the new evange-
lisation of the Old
Continent. Among
the topics for discus-
sion is also the result of the re-
search on the Salesian commitment
for migrants in Europe. According
to official statistics, there are about
40 million migrants in Europe: 20
million from other continents, 10
million from countries of the Euro-
pean community, 10 million Gyp-
sies. We Salesians are engaged in
various works for migrants.
The Commission for Project
Europe pointed out in 2011 that the commitment to migrants in
Europe is really about revitalising our charism, a contribution
to the new evangelisation, and it provides a resource for en-
dogenous regeneration of our charism. In the same way that Bar-
tholomew Garelli, a young migrant in Turin, marked the begin-
ning of the Salesian mission so was
our work for Italians in Argentina the
starting point of the Salesian mission
ad gentes. Some fundamental in-
sights could help inspire the journey
of the 28 Provinces of Europe: the
work with migrants is a prophetic
field to become credible in front of
the Church; it is a humanitarian wit-
ness - visible to non-believers; it is a
vocational field; it is a new field for
learning how to work in synergy; it is
a field with the full involvement of
the laity; it could easily involve other
Provinces outside Europe in the context of Project Europe. It is
also a field of formation and specific preparation of the Sale-
sians.
A European missionary in the Italian Salesian Bulletin of July
2012 wrote about Nicolas, a boy from Ghana who, though eco-
nomically poor, prays for the evangelisation of Europe! Let us
allow ourselves to be surprised by the dynamics of a quickly
changing world! The migrants present in Europe are brothers and
sisters to be welcomed and a resource for the Church and for
the Congregation.
Fr. Václav Klement, SDB
Councillor for the Missions
NOVEMBER - Upcoming Events
5-9 > Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Study Days on the Initial Proclamation of
Christ in Africa and Madagascar
10-12 > Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Meeting of PDMA of Africa and Madagascar
24 > Macas, Ecuador: Beatification Sr. Maria Troncatti
All previous issues of "Cagliero 11" are available at purl.org/sdb/sdl/Cagliero
19 11-1-2012

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Don Bosco wanted his Congregation to be profoundly missionary
T he11th of November is a powerful reminder about the missionary dimension of our Congregation. All
members of the Church, by baptism, are called upon to live her missionary dimension. This does not
exclude that some of the baptised (lay, consecrated, priests) may dedicate themselves to the mission-
ary activity of the Church. Indeed, our Salesian vocation places us at the heart of the Church (Const.6)
which is missionary by her very nature (Ad Gentes, 2).
At Valdocco Don Bosco’s ministry to young people was deeply permeated by the missionary dimension
as a dynamism that animated all his endeavours. He used the means of communication of his time to spread
the faith and make known the Congregation’s missionary activities . This missionary zeal – synthesised in Da
mihi Animas - was the animating force which undergirded all his initiatives: «He took no step, he said no
word, he took up no task that was not directed to the saving of the young... Truly the only concern of his
heart was for souls» (Don Rua). It is in this light, that immediately after the approval of the Constitutions
(1874), on 11 November 1875, he sent the first missionary expedition.
Don Bosco handed on to us this missionary ideal as a constitutive element of his spiritual and apostolic
heritage. Thus, the Special General Chapter had emphasised that the missionary dimension is an «essential
part of our charism» . To keep this missionary ardour alive it also insisted that «right from the very beginning
of their formation we should present to young Salesians the missionary ideal in an objective and attractive
manner, clearly demonstrating its value. We should spread the knowledge of and promote the missionary un-
dertakings of our Congregation; we should study the lives and the personalities of our great missionaries, and
above all we should cultivate the apostolic zeal and spirit of supernatural generosity which forms the founda-
tion of every missionary vocation» (SCG , 476).
The missionary dimension of the Salesian charism does not preclude but actually implies that there are
Salesians who have a specific vocation to be engaged in the missionary apostolate among those who have not
yet heard the Gospel and where the Church is not yet fully established (ad gentes), or where there is an
abandonment of the faith, outside their own homeland, cultural milieu and language group (ad exteros),
through a life-long commitment (ad vitam). A Salesian who feels called to be a missionary should seek, first
of all, the help of a spiritual guide to discern the call of God, purify and deepen his own motivations, ascer-
tain his qualities and attitudes in view of determining his basic suitability for Salesian missionary life . This is
the initial and most important step in the process of missionary discernment that will lead to the writing of
the letter offering oneself to the Rector Major to be a missionary which will conclude with the giving of the
missionary cross and missionary send off.
Members of the 143rd Salesian Missionary
Expedition
Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB
Missions Department
Salesian Missionary Intention
The animation of Project Europe
in all the 28 Provinces of Europe
That Project Europe may open new horizons and stir up new hopes to foster
the endogenous revitalisation of the Salesian charism in the continent.
In the last five years all the Provinces of Europe began the process to revitalise the
Salesian charism in Europe from within. Thus new horizons were opened for 6,300
confreres present in the continent. The Committee for Project Europe which meets
every six months and the Assembly of the Provincials of Europe which meets every two years - have identi-
fied two specific topics of this process. Besides the Salesian contribution for the new evangelisation of young
people it aims at more focused commitment for young migrants and their families in Europe. There are
about 40 million migrants in Europe (20 million came to Europe from other continents, 10 million moved
within the continent and about 10 million Gypsies - Roma) most of them are Christians.
20 11-1-2012