SUONovember 29%2C 2012


SUONovember 29%2C 2012

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USA West Province Newsletter
Building Bridges Between Communities
Nov. 29
2012
Provincial’s
Letter
November 29, 2012
Like all the apostles,
Andrew heard the
Dear Brother and Sister Lord’s call to “Go and
Salesians:
make disciples of all na-
“You crown the year with tions.” That is the very
your goodness,” we pray
in Psalm 65. We find our-
selves in the final week of
the liturgical year. Last
Sunday we celebrated
Christ, King of the Uni-
verse, a feast that sums
up all the mysteries of
salvation we have lived
and at the same time a
feast which heads us to-
wards Advent, the time
of waiting and preparing
nature of being an apos-
tle, a close friend of the
Lord’s sent to spread the
Good News. Legend
has it that our patron
Andrew went as far as
the southern borders of
modern-day Ukraine,
along the Black Sea and
that he travelled up the
Dnieper River and actu-
ally reached the future
location of Kiev.
for Christ to come again. What is not legend
And during this very rich about our patron St.
week so full of grace and Andrew is found in the
blessing, we here in the Gospels. In fact in his
western province also recent message for next
celebrate the feast of our year’s World Youth Day,
patron, Saint Andrew the Pope Benedict refers to
Apostle (November 30). our province’s patron!
“You crown the year with He writes, “To evange-
your goodness.”
lize means to bring the
Good News of salvation
to others and to let them
know that this Good News
is a person: Jesus Christ.
When I meet him, when
I discover how much I am
loved by God and saved
by God, I begin to feel not
only the desire, but also
the need to make God
known to others. At the
beginning of John’s Gos-
pel we see how Andrew,
immediately after he met
Jesus, ran off to fetch his
brother Simon. Evangeli-
zation always begins with
an encounter with the
Lord Jesus. Those who
come to Jesus and have
experienced his love im-
mediately want to share
the beauty of that meet-
ing and the joy born of
his friendship. The more
we know Christ, the more
we want to talk about
him. The more we speak
with Christ, the more
we want to speak about
him. The more we are
won over by Christ, the
more we want to draw
others to him.”
The entire text of the
Pope’s World Youth
Day Message is avail-
able on online. I urge
everyone to access and
read it! The challenge
he gives there to young
people is given to all of
us educators and evan-
gelizers too, Salesians
of the West. The best
way to celebrate our
province’s feast day, es-
pecially in this Year of
Faith, is to cherish our
personal and commu-
nity encounter with
the Lord Jesus, the
King who is, who was,
and who is to come.
And then to honor
our patron Andrew by
sharing this encoun-
ter, especially with the
young.
Happy Feast of Saint
Andrew!
Sincerely,
Rev. Timothy Ploch,
SDB
Provincial

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PROVINCIAL’S
CALENDAR
November 2012
29-30 Office Days
December 2012
1-2 Office Days
alw“aRyesjo. Iicweiilnl stahyeitLoargdain:
3-5
6
Rejoice!”
Education of the heart
7
8
BDoefogrneinfBenroiensncgcoe’sfarponemddtahogeuotgrays,uktnshdoeef rmSsttraaejnondrnipano2gi0n1ot3sf
9
are as follows.
10
5zCtontte.secthfiheonhnaateeercttneTiidianiirsosohaqnt.inlnlueintidavaolSainfwelogofloiessirosthnrdyeaattoimdhanenscodkriehsdhafcieCttuateuospDiitdhmvoperifuoirnenrutaicnsieylsngaeal,votyhlntBeibefliatcroedeoonytecxniusfhnit.pctchtieoFgieonhazifsronteiuisiserageneoopmxnndrsncrpe”dtcuiiiaharnageiclealeslghaiassptlttstniy“yhCoifegod:eoceldhoin,euiclirotcdinnisiivudeuis-o-gensl---,
11
12
13
ture.
Provincial Council Meeting,
Soto Street
Board Meeting, Salesian B&GC,
Los Angeles
Office Day
Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena,
Watsonville
Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass,
Richmond Auditorium
Board Meeting, Salesian B&GC,
San Francisco
Office Day
Las Mañanitas, Stockton
Board Meetings:
• Trustees, Don Bosco Tech, AM
• Members, Salesian High School,
Richmond, PM
Fr. Pascual Chavez, SDB
STRENNA 2013
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VOCATION
CULTURE
Delano Pereira
LET US CONTIN U E TO PRHAYEAFRORTHAELLCVAOLLCTATOIOBENCSOIM N EARSEPLEICGIIAOLUW S AAYN DTHPARTIEM STAS.NY YOUNG PEOPLE WILL
HigmtsttyMyrmhepiwwSooa,vamtywereitdTieiaufioeh,inaonmnttlsaesvuhrtmCoiiehcpdshkeseespaeeshk.heseoiyrGsltawtEntacytlcyrhnthoayrfhnvhooioigahoetngsanaweeoacudsgitrgn,gldymcch.ieelttCioierMyhsohuhtefWcjcftwAtetunkhnatoooimagaashnsesegia.anumcstiltsteevslgatroyosttacrekepCni,retecaylblvmhbagissraiakdlowbleicfnoaaleeadtiteoeuculbtIcihnnihootadooierrtteateaoeguesheeresipmtnsemncesnatat.yooeciGndheetlfneStownalifr.ioseaoiofaIvtonuadoImarehirtnoamptbtneluhrtmomghflll,ergaehwvroeelteoiyfectiiaeoeoanuutpvtduaorhhokdj.fngheytnaoaruebfleoIosseosrodyiratpetgnaiaaauhtmhlraaasscahnoedmntartlheetortslribeodeenhsahipoaenrhlorskeoe1dseemtneachtafaorfaa6srrforoyuevstosntnfai,imapmaotobhasetrzmhdlmisihptaulruewliofkpo,lnnoauytottetraepwmaahhifghdrenulgnpopenrateho,erdremieneutaroimeaonsisodlLtrmnyfctxesciiutienuoaoohpcnioospharptewcsciurhauiiegeophwcdsoaepitcthvrryotSanethiso.uteierepoetnptlevItreyioroe.dpgtnojnttotrywdLunwesy,rrpacilcldoaustpvoschkraenlaethtcuhue.kuuoheinaa.ttenldhdpaeOgtmdohIiedthp’icntaesrMhseaegpnedp.aldhaecrneyaoMhaOm,eeeaoecwSjduttrtwmedsuluheIaivutsprspthmonies.reiogunasceeysosanriReyspgivedntoonbpptoethre,eefaruhitdehvaeitantarnceoyrotacniaeesynegm,teghnlvotrlootonessdpwlesyamyoewcapnhttpfanolhrhvdunooeSeiynseelvdgeneoanurrte,ueseekshnunivircketncefrrttnhoinieeoeeoe,dhdsndrohorvtelnuipcneheaahigtuiawehefpdaeinttytoaefrsrr.ivitrdol.seebnwryoheAntebhvroIxsooitunwneteiyeocehnltt’iungess.ncheinaiihweoiphhstcetMoatrmaeyohtemtaitetrtmehfphlslosptsyeaecfviieieyotedkegoaetnIejwaghtroiorln,icawlngchrroioneioiioynohoJtttnanefmbeipeshtmawgunvrsiehdesopsiafeteeruttmi.tuotgooneaetahhnhhbsWyoiglarfsxldeu.g.veeoweotwecwatTsiunereuahthLnlnca,nhhenoanictjetoyg-teaohne-vebliosryktnrieyddyn-d.
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VOCATION
CULTURE
Contact Fr. Jose Lucero, sdb
Vocation Director
infor@salesianvocation.org
salesian.vocation@facebook.com
Peter
Le
Bro. Peter Duoc Le grew up in California. He is the oldest of five children in the
family. He attended high school in Oakland and went on to college in Berkeley,
California. For a number of years he worked in Berkeley. During this time he was
also a Salesian candidate taking courses at the Institute of Salesian Spirituality and
Studies and was a member of the Don Bosco Hall Salesian community.
Bro. Peter completed his prenovitiate and novitiate formation years at St. Joseph
Salesian Center in Rosemead, California. From 2012 to 2014, he will be attending
Seton Hall University to work on his philosophy studies.
He can be contacted at levanpeter@gmail.com.
This past weekend St.luke’s youth were involved in a fall retreat. Friday night was
full of fun activities it was very busy. Saturday came and it was my turn to give my
talk about goals dreams and Jesus. Throughout my talk, I was starting to get hot
and I felt a burning tingling sensation in my face. Afterwards I did not remember
what I said, and then realizing it was the Holy Spirit that spoke through me. The
day continued on and Father Jose gave his talk about the religious vocation. Break
came and I was sitting down thinking what will I do after high school, I originally
planned to become a veterinarian yet, I felt like I was called to do something
else .Then I got up and was about to go to the next room but for some reason
something told me to go and talk to father Jose. As we were talking, I told him
about what I was feeling and I asked about the Salesian sisters, as the conversa-
tion continued tears just started to run down my face. I believe that was the Holy
Spirit confirming that I was on the right path . As the day progressed it was time
for adoration, I prayed and cried that whole time knowing what God might have
planed out for me. After adoration I told my peers, they were very supportive.
Sunday came and it was time to come back home. I met a lot of cool people and
had a great time. I will continue to pray for my vocation and to continue to work
with the youth.
“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
Theresa Marie
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Thanksgiving Day
Celebration
at Stockton with the confreres of the North
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Thanksgiving Day
This last Thursday afternoon, the Salesians of southern Cali-
fornia gathered at Don Bosco Technical Institute to celebrate
Thanks Giving Day. The celebration began with games and
fraternal sharing with some preferring the beautiful day out-
side and others the comfortable inside. Later, we gathered in
the dining room for a fairly traditional Thanksgiving Day sup-
per with other choices available for less traditional tastes. All
seemed to enjoy the day and the Don Bosco Tech. community
would like to thank all those that came to share in the celebra-
tion and especially thank those that helped in a variety of ways
to make the day be so enjoyable. - Bro. Bob Hennings
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Living Social Justice:
Tijuana Project
By Fili Cortez
This group of
young men reaf-
firm my believe
that if we as
teachers, parents,
and leaders give
opportunities to
our young people
to serve there will
always be young
people ready to
accept the chal-
lenge.
In our busy schedules we make time for just about everything, but sometimes we
don’t make time for Jesus. We make time for our studies, sports, work, family, par-
ties, vacation, among many other things. But rarely do we intentionally serve those
most in need. Whether this is done intentionally or not the fact of the matter is
that in our busy schedules it is difficult to include Christ in our lives.
I must be honest, it was quite a challenge getting the group of students to go to
Tijuana and serve the less fortunate, not only because people have this impression
of Tijuana being an unsafe city, but also because it entails going out of our comfort
zone. Nevertheless, I was determined to bring students to El Desayunador, a soup
kitchen located a block away from down town Tijuana. El Desayunador feeds
about one thousand needy people six days a week. This project was founded by El
Padre Chava a Salesian priest.
I was excited that four brave young men decided to embark in this missionary
project. Their parents were very supportive and enthusiastic about their children
getting this unique opportunity to serve Jesus. I am grateful to these parents who
not only put their trust in Saint John Bosco. I am also thankful to Dr. Rodriguez
who supported my idea of taking students to serve in Tijuana. I would also like
to thank the Spanish prayer group Maria Auxiliadora from Saint Dominic Savio
who gave a donation of $140 to buy razors, toothpaste and toothbrushes for the
deported immigrants living in El Desayunador.
Among some of the highlights of our service project was praying the rosary with
the deported immigrants staying at El Desayunador, receiving Holy Communion
before serving, and interviewing deportees who were as young as nineteen. An-
other amazing experience was when the Bosco men got on the bus El Veloz (the
fast one); Loaded with a raucous and enthusiastic group of young people from the
different Salesian oratories of Tijuana as we made our way to La Lupita Oratory
for a sports tournament. The Bosco men also got an opportunity to talk to mis-
sionaries from Austria and the US. I knew this was going to be a learning experi-
ence, however, this project surpassed my expectations. At the end of each workday
students reflected on their service. Perhaps one of the most powerful experiences
was when students reflected on their service, this really brought the team together,
both spiritually and socially.
This group of young men reaffirm my believe that if we as teachers, parents, and
leaders give opportunities to our young people to serve there will always be young
people ready to accept the challenge. I am very proud of these young men for their
generosity, and courageous heart to help our less fortunate brothers.
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November 12, 2012
Social Justice
By Luis Nunez
Men of Service
From
Omar
LUrtuoeRt:aT, iamnodtJhuyliuMsuDñeoszla, tLeuis
Nuñez,
During my community service in Tijuana, Baja California I
witness and experienced many noticeable changes in myself
that impacted me very much; to the point where I thought
I became a new man. These changes were the result of me
helping so many innocent people that were in dire need of
help and through my humble service to others I was able to
answer all of my questions that I had during the trip. This
change was not a physical one, but rather a spiritual one that
helped me get closer to God through the service of others
and helped me confront my fears that I held secret in the
depths of my soul. I was always skeptical when it came to
donation, because I did not have any trust in it and I even
came to the point of doubting whether my donation even
reached the innocent people who I sought to help. To con-
front this paranoia I had of donation I went out to Tijuana
with my fellow classmates so I could witness with my own
eyes if I indeed am helping people or rather to answer the
question if I could even help make a positive significant
change to others in need.
This journey that I went on help me open my eyes and re-
alize that not all is what it seems to be and that there are
many good people in this city that the media condemns
to be crime infested. What I saw was hundreds of people
gather together to make a difference in their ill repute city
and not only did they try to help, but were unbelievably
successful in their mission of service. They were proof that
anybody can contribute positively to others and they did
this without violence, but rather through charity and love
for others as human-beings. My question on donations was
answered on the first day I arrived, because I saw that they
were in fact using these gifts to help the poor and home-
less effectively. This impacted me greatly, because it made
me ponder the idea of joining them and help them on their
mission of charity and love for others. During my stay in
Tijuana I helped in the soup kitchen which was a sort of res-
taurant for the poor and here is where they (the homeless)
received their meals that helped make it through another
day. I saw in their eyes that they were in fact suffering, but
what I also saw in their eyes was eternal gratitude for us
as we were serving them their meals. This made me realize
that we helped them not just to receive a meal, but also we
were able to help them and encourage them to have faith
that there is still hope in our world that we are living to-
gether as human beings of God. This is by far the most fun
I had in helping others and by far the most life changing
experience I ever went through.
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November 6, 2012
Social Justice
By Omar Urueta
Time for reflection on serving others.
When I first heard about the Tijuana trip, I wasn’t sure if I
wanted to take part in it. I really wasn’t sure what to expect
but because I needed hours and because I thought it would
be different I went.
This trip was more than just a trip. It was a chance to learn
about myself and to learn about others. I have been to
Mexico before, but I’ve never stayed in Mexico at a Salesian
residence with the focus of helping others. I went on this
trip with two other juniors and another senior whom, be-
fore that trip, I have never talked to. At the end of the trip
we were having so much fun and joking around with each
other.
As mentioned earlier, I learned a lot about myself. I have a
history of having trouble opening and really telling people
what’s on my mind. However on the first day of the trip, on
Friday night, I was able to say some of the questions and
things that were really on my mind and so did my peers.
The community service and work was also a major high-
light of this trip. We went to the soup for a majority of Fri-
day and Saturday. There they had us cut nopales, clean, and
even refill coffee. The part that probably had the biggest im-
Oratory time! Playing a basketball game with
our young friends of Tji uana.
pact on me was the fact that these people were homeless
and struggling and the fact that a lot of people were there
because they were deported. The unfortunate circumstanc-
es that these people were in were sad, but it made realize
how great it was that these volunteers from the soup were
making a difference.
Then there was the part where we visited different oratories.
I was able to see the full home, school, church, and play-
ground in full effect outside of Bosco. The people who were
at the oratories seemed very happy to be there and I’m sure
the oratories make a big difference in their lives.
In total, this trip has had a huge impact on me and made me
learn a lot about myself and about the Salesian mission out-
side of Bosco. I wish more people could experience this and
I wil try to convince people to attend the next one. Nothing
I do or show, not even this paper, can really show what this
trip was like and the effect it can have on people.
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November 6, 2012
Tijuana Trip
By Timothy Munoz
kitchens in Los Angeles and unfortunately the people were
very picky and kind of wasn’t grateful for the food they re-
ceived. Not Tijuana surprisingly the people we so respectful
and kind whom a lot of people would not expect from that
of someone is homeless. It is very sad to see all these people
once had a life here in the U.S. and for whatever lost all of
it from maybe a small mistake that everyone would make.
They have families back in the U.S. and even children that
they have to take care of but lost everything. A young boy
named Gio recently was deported and went to Narbonne
High School in Torrance. I lived in Torrance and my cous-
ins go to that school. I found this to hit me close to home, he
knew about the neighborhood and all the things that every
normal kid here would know. To have all that taken away
and have to move to a foreign country because of one sim-
ple mistake makes no sense in my eyes. I honestly wish that
our country did not have to do this to hardworking people
but it does and I will continue to go down and help them in
anyway that I possibly can. I only hope that more students
would realize that is happening only two hours away from
their perfect lives. That they too would get up and say that
they may not be able to stop this from happening but are
willing to go help ease some pain and suffering of another
human being.
This trip to Tijuana for three days was a life changing expe-
rience for me and the rest of the students that went. I found
that this trip was very healthy for me to escape some stress
at home and school and see a different perspective on ev-
eryday life. A different view on what we should be grateful
for and what we cherish every day. Some of us only focus on
materialistic happiness and other things that we feel make
us happy and feel safe and secure. During this trip I real-
ized that other people have different problems then what im
going to do this weekend but rather what am I going to eat
or sleep. I’ve always seen poor people in the streets and beg-
ging for money every day because I lived in such a horrible
neighborhood but not to this degree. Thousands of immi-
grants, deportees, and other homeless people flock to this
soup kitchen for possibly their only meal all day. The food is
by far the most amazing thing I saw because it was prepared
with such love and care and anyone could eat it and love it.
In fact we did eat the food and it was great that is something
I didn’t expect from a soup kitchen. I could almost say my
expectations were very low since it was in Mexico and a very
poor area of Mexico but the “Desayunador,” as they called
it really changed my perspective of Tijuana and how much
they really want to help these people. I have seen other soup
Just one of the many elderly people who
benefit from El Desayunador.
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La Lupita Oratory: Before the girl’s basketball tourna-
ment the ladies practice with the Bosco men.
Community Time! With the Austrian Missionaries
and the American Missionaries at the Salesian Resi-
dence in Tijuana.
Left: Omar Urueta showing some dribbling skills at
La Lupita Oratory.
Children also receive services at El Desayunador
Before serving at El Desayunador Bosco men receive
Holy Communion.
Left: Luis Nuñez setting the table as he places a slice of
bread. Right: Timothy Muñoz fills cups with water as
they set the table for the next group to eat.
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BOSCO TECH
OFFERS FREE
DIGITAL ARTS
WORKSHOP
FOR MIDDLE
SCHOOLERS
ROSEMEAD, CA–November 21, 2012–Los Angeles area middle school
students will learn to create computerized art at Don Bosco Technical In-
stitute’s (Bosco Tech’s) Digital Art Workshop (DrAW) on Saturday, De-
cember 15, 2012.
The free DrAW workshop will feature instruction in Photoshop on com-
puter tablets. A Wacom tablet will be raffled off to a workshop participant
and a Bosco Tech scholarship will be given to a future incoming student
who shows creative ability.
“It’s a fun opportunity for kids to learn more about, and try out, digital art
software using professional-level computers,” says Luis Garza, chairman of
the school’s Integrated Design, Engineering and Art department (IDEA).
“Bosco Tech’s high school students have the chance to use these tools every
day and the workshop exposes middle schoolers to the same equipment
and programs that companies like Disney, Apple and Pixar are currently
using in computer animation, product design and video games.”
The three-hour DrAW workshop begins at 10 a.m. Lunch will be provided.
Interested students can register by contacting Garza at (626) 940-2079 or
lgarza@boscotech.edu. Space is limited.
Bosco Tech is the only all-male Catholic high school in the state that
uniquely integrates college-prepa-
ratory curriculum with a compre-
hensive, four-year, project-based
science and technology program.
The academic curriculum allows
students to meet university admis-
sion requirements while complet-
ing extensive integrated course-
work in one of five technology and
engineering-related fields: Archi-
tecture and Construction Engi-
neering; Computer Science and
Electrical Engineering; Integrated
Design, Engineering and Art; Ma-
terials Science, Engineering and
Technology; and Media Arts and
Technology. For further infor-
mation about Bosco Tech, please
call (626) 940-2000 or visit www.
boscotech.edu.
Don Bosco Technical Institute
1151 San Gabriel Boulevard
Rosemead, CA 91770-4251
www.boscotech.edu
(626) 940-2000
Contact: Karen Krynen
Phone: (626) 392-9967
E-mail: kkrynen@boscotech.edu
www.boscotech.edu
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FOCUORNTHGRWEOSRSLD
OF THE
SALESIAN COOOPERATORS
by: Sr. M. Guadalupe Medina, FMA
Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians - Turin
The 4th World Congress of Salesian Cooperators met in Rome from November 8 to November 11 to approve the Statutes
and Regulations of the Association. The days of reflection, prayer, and review of the commitment to personal holiness and
mission brought about a renewal of fervor.
Present at the Congress were the Rector Major, Father Pascual Chávez; his vicar, Father Adriano Bregolin; Mother General
Sister Yvonne Reungoat; the Salesian Family Delegate, Sister Maria Luisa Miranda, and Father Giuseppe Casti, the World
Delegate of the Salesian Cooperators.
Sister Leslye Sandigo was named to replace Sister Maria Trigila, World Delegate of the Salesian Cooperators; Ms. Noemi
Bertola was named to replace Dr. Rosario Maiorano, as World Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators.
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Recor Major and Diane
Basilica of Our Lady altar - Turin
It is important to note that St. John Bosco, founder of the
Salesian Priests and Brothers, (SDB’s), and the Salesian Sis-
ters (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians- FMA’s) also
founded the Cooperators and ADMA, (Association of Dev-
otees of Mary Help of Christians). These groups and others
founded by Salesians form a powerful group known as the
Salesian Family.
It was Don Bosco’s great foresight to envision the Salesian
Family, living the Salesian charism and spirituality, as a force
that moves forward in our world.
Thirteen of us from the Inter American Region met in Tu-
rin on November 3rd. and made a pilgrimage to Salesian
“holy grounds” accompanied by Hermán López Castro, the
Coordinator of the Inter American Region. Our journey
included Turin, Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Pizza, As-
sisi and Rome.
The Rector Major portrayed the profile of the new Salesian
Cooperator as “a true Salesian lay person who must bring to
society the social and pedagogical insights of our founder, re-
visited in light of the current needs of a multiethnic, multicul-
tural, very often undermined by the dangers of subjectivism
and rampart relativism.” His strong message was “to leave
the comfortable positions, to leave ‘the sacristy’, to meet the
new sociopolitical and cultural realities; ---to deal with the
challenges of the new evangelization, with renewed strength
and enthusiasm to be more and more active leaders in the
Church.”
The last day of the Congress was enriched by a visit to the
Vatican and the opportunity to listen to the Holy Father’s
weekly message. After the Congress ended, we welcomed
another opportunity to go to the Vatican celebrating this
Year of Faith, the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II, and the
20th Anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the
Catholic Church.
This opportunity to attend the Congress enriched us in
many ways with an increase of faith and love of God, our
from left to right: Suzie, Antonio, Fr. Alejandro,
Sr. Guadalupe, Elizabeth, Julio, Norma, Betty,
Diane, Herman, Nayeli, and Jose Luis
Visit to the Vatican to listen to the Pope’s
Angelus message
beloved Mother, Mary Help of Christians, and our dear Don
Bosco, Father and Founder. United we go forth to share our
experience in a spirit of mission and apostolate.
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Parents of a Salesian
celebrate 50 years
of Marriage
I had the honor and priv-
eledge of presiding at my par-
ents’ 50th Wedding Anniver-
sary in Moriarty, New Mexico
on November 24, 2012, their
anniversary date in effect.
It was great having my Salesian
brothers accompanying me,
Fr. Joe Farias and Fr. Leo Bay-
singer. My parents have got-
ten to know
both Fr. Leo
and Fr. Joe in
recent years
and it was
truly a bless-
ing to have
them present
with our fam-
ily.
There were
about 200
guests at
my parents
celebration
which began
a Holy Mass
at 2pm Satur-
day. All of the
ministries
were done by their grand-
children. At the presentation
of the gifts, a few of the gifts
brought up before the bread
and wine were a blessing from
the Archbishop, an Apostolic
Blessing from the Pope, an
acknowledgement from the
President, a Hand made quilt
with images of their children,
grandchildren and great chil-
dren on it, and finally a hand
made portrait of my parents
chapel presented to them by
their grandchildren.
It was an amazing night see-
ing my parents so happy sur-
rounded by their children,
grandchildren,
their siblings
and friends
and family.
I’m
very
blessed to
have my par-
ents with me
and the fact
that they have
completed
this milestone
of 50 years
together as
husband and
wife. What a
great exam-
ple they have
been to ev-
eryone in our
community. I love them very
much and I must say that they
have also been a great example
to me of perserverance and
steadfastness in my own vows.
God bless them abundantly.
Jose Lucero, sdb
11-29-2012 16

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The dining hall with the new chairs
The crucifix donate by Corpus
Christi Parish, San Francisco
DE SALES HALL
Que Paso?
Bro. Joseph Lockwood, SDB, muniz carlos
Last week after inspecting the entire
building, Jeff Gannaway City of Bell-
flower Building Inspector told us that
we can move in the furniture.
On Tuesday, November 22, 2012,
with the help from Mr. Larry Arel-
lano; Benjamin Pullido, Luke Torres,
Benjamin Rocha and Carlos Hernan-
dez moved in the dining room table,
the two conference tables (one for the
Director’s office and the other for the
small meeting room), couches for the
lobby, two couches for the communi-
ty room, other items and conference
table chairs. The conference room
looks really great.
The Asia Kitchen Supplies, Rosemead,
with the help of Bro. Khoa Luong,
delivered the freezer and refrigera-
tor with the rest of the dining room
chairs. The dining room looks great!
The main altar, Blessed Sacrament
altar and the tabernacle were put in
place. From the picture you can see
the chapel carpeting. The statue of
Mary Help of Christians, which was
hand carved in Italy and shipped to
us, was mounted on the wall. The cha-
pel chairs were moved in and put in
place. The statue of St. John Bosco and
St. Francis de Sales was mounted. The
crucifix (donated by Corpus Christi
Parish, San Francisco) was mounted.
The cleaning of the rooms is still tak-
ing place.
Now the other news: Mitsubishi is
again holding up the final inspection.
Alex DeLeon from Vincor phoned
Mitsubishi’s office and asked about
the installation of the elevator floor-
ing. The response was that a deputy
inspector needs to be hired (by the
owner) and be present while the floor-
ing is being installed. Alex questioned
Mitsubishi’s representative about the
flooring installation being part of the
contract. The answer was that accord-
ing to the building code the owner
needs to hire an inspector to be pres-
ent. When Inspector Jeff Gannaway
was inspecting the building last week,
we asked Jeff if it is a true statement
(about having an inspector on site
during the flooring installation). Jeff
told us that he has not heard of any
such regulation and told us to ask
Mitsubishi to give us the regulation
number about the inspector. Well, we
found out that there is no such regu-
lation. They were just blowing smoke
. . . . . . Mitsubishi has scheduled to
be out after Thanksgiving weekend
to open the elevator so the floor can
be installed. The deputy inspector
did show up on Tuesday, November
27, 2012 to watch the floor being in-
stalled. Now we can schedule the state
inspector to come out (we hope) to is-
sue the permit to operate the elevator.
Mitsubishi’s technicians were on site
to calibrate the conveyance so it will
stop level at each floor with the pas-
sengers. The maximum weight that
this conveyance can carry is 5,000
pounds. To check the maximum
weight, they used two wheel carts (see
11-29-2012 17

2.8 Page 18

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D E S AQLu eEP aSs o ? H A L L
The lounge area before entering the dining hall.
The new statue of Mary
Help of Christians
the picture) each weighing roughly
600 pounds. These carts are placed in
the car while it moves between floors.
All of the safety features (telephone,
alarm bells and the three safety doors
that close when the alarm goes off) are
checked and then certified that they
work. When they finish checking the
safety elements and the conveyance is
calibrated, the technicians will notify
the State of California Industrial Rela-
tion, Division of Occupational Safety
and Health to come out to the site and
certify that the conveyance is safe.
Then the State issues the certificate.
United System (the fire alarm com-
pany) was on site installing all of the
strobe lights and smoke detectors in
each bedroom, the chapel (4), dining
room, and hallways. The technicians
connected the window smoke detec-
tors. On each floor a fire alarm power
supply box was installed in the data
closets. When the technicians finish
testing the equipment, the Los Ange-
les Fire Marshall will inspect the fire
safety of the building. The evacuation
plan for each room has been complet-
ed and is ready to be posted in each
room.
You remember that there was a roof
leak over the community room. Vin-
cor gave us a bid to repair the roof
where they thought the leak was. Af-
ter removing the existing roofing ma-
terial from the suspected area, they
decided to replace the complete roof
at no extra cost to us.
The roofing contractor removed the
existing roofing material down to the
plywood sheathing and inspected it
to see if there was any dry rot or any
other water damage. They did not
find any, the plywood sheathing was
sound. The roofers replaced all of the
roof jacks before tacking down the 30
pound felt. Once the felt is in place,
then the roofers hot mop over the felt
with hot tar. Then they put another
layer of felt and repeat the same pro-
cess. Then they put the cap sheet over
the hot tar.
The flooring company is finishing the
installation of the non-slip flooring
material on the two stair cases. The
chapel carpeting is installed.
The plumbers have finished install-
ing the coffee counter sink in the din-
ing room and the counter sink in the
community room.
Part of the finishing is to do a thor-
ough cleaning of the building and that
means to wash all of the windows,
clean the floor and check for little
nicks and marks on the walls. The
cleaning began on the third floor this
week.
The basketball back board is installed
and ready for a half-court game, even
at night with the great court lights.
The Crucifixion relief, the
center for the Stations of
the Cross mediation
11-29-2012 18

2.9 Page 19

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MAY THEY REST IN
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
ADVENT READING
RSR
e
Rev. Arthur Humphrey
November 24, 2012
Archdiocese of Newark
former Salesian Novice 1966-1967
fqe
PLEASE PRAY FOR
OUR SICK
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made
Judah.
to
the
house
of
Israel
and
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot;
he shall do
the land.
what
is
right
and
just
in
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”
Jer 33:14-16
f
MRS. PATRICIA LAWTON
sister of Fr. Tom Prendiville
f
Sr Lucy Ballestrieri, FMA
aw1oydt e9fPaotcha8sftonrrrhe0onbospesgsrdm.arrcoviotSahtueivhm1Sorogit9eyonnh5Dwnltcis6m.aeohotoSn,twmeposhdnhoiiebn1noriten9ctthsiaal6ecpoetun0ihnStptgt…heaaghafevlisrRtgioisatofuesponnohlrBlidrietMgsthesai,acloeobflghnfuonNaulourosidtomnowtEaslhryhiedbbtne;rheuee,gprtgcibHhrseaaooaeotanofvtilp,noheelne-e
of St Dominic Savio parish and school.
f
RSR
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.
11-29-2012 19

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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
11-29-2012 20

3 Pages 21-30

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3.1 Page 21

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INTENSIVE
SALESIAN COURSES
SALESIAN
PEDAGOGY
Education & Evangelization:
Girls & Young Women
Education & Evangelization:
Boys & Young Men
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
11-29-2012 21

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3.3 Page 23

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Mission for Hispanic migrants
in the United States
THE
PRAYER
CAMPAIGN
www.sdb.org
That migrants throughout the world may be
welcomed with generosity and authentic love,
especially by Christian communities.
HOLY FATHER’S MISSIONARY INTENTION :
That Christ may reveal himself to all humanity
with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem
and is reflected in the face of his Church.
SALESIAN MISSIONS 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 phenomenon of migration and to prepare a
regional plan in this regard.