Esteemed brothers and sisters:

     We communicate the sad news of the death of the father of our Rector Major d. Pascual Chávez in the city of Saltillo Coahuila this morning around 10:00 local time. Let us join together in prayer as we offer our condolences to the rector major and his family.

     At this time the only concrete information that we have to share with you is that the rector major has been notified. He will travel to Mexico tonight and, God willing, will arrive in Saltillo tomorrow morning. The funeral rites for his father will take place on Thursday, 3 February, in the city of Saltillo. As of this moment, we do not have any indication of the time or place. We will communicate all these details as soon as we receive them from the Chávez family after the rector major arrives. Please be ready to check your email again later in the day: we will send you further news as soon as we have any specifics.

     With regard to the planned celebrations for the Centenary of the arrival of the Salesians in Guadalajara and the participation of the rector major, I can inform you, because the rector major has communicated as much to the provincial superior, that the celebrations will PROCEED AS PLANNED. That means that those celebrations will take place on Friday, 4 February, as previously scheduled.

     May God bless you as we all unite in prayer.

     Yours faithfully
     Fr Cleo Murguía
     Vice-Provincial Mexico Guadalajara