Saturday, Feb. 1

--Morning.

The next day the celebration continued with a 10:00 a.m. Mass memorializing all the deceased Salesians of the entire Society. This Mass was presided over by Bishop John S. Cummins of Oakland assisted by Archbishop Adam Exner, O.M.I., of Vancouver, B.C., Very Reverend Juan Vecchi, S.D.B., Rector Major of the Salesian Society and the above mentioned Salesian Provincials.

Father David Purdy, S.D.B., Pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul church, was the homilist. Keeping to the theme of the day, he reiterated the belief that death is no longer to be feared. This is due to the reality of the Resurrection of Jesus and his promise that we are called to share in it. The remembrance of those Salesians who labored for youth and the spread of the Gospel is not to be one of sadness but of celebration for the "good and faithful servants" of the Lord.

Before the final blessing the Honorable Justice John B. Molinari contributed his comments and memories of the Salesian presence in North Beach. Following Judge Molinari's comments there was a dedication of a memorial plaque on the front of the church. Prior to the dedication a presentation from the California Assembly was made to the Salesians by Assemblyman Kevin Shelly. Another presentation from the California Senate was made by Senator Quentin Kopp and the Proclamation of "Salesian Day in California" was made by the Lieutenant Governor of the State of California, the Honorable Gray Davis.

A crowd of 400 assembled on the steps of the church, spilling into the street, heard comments by Bishop Cummins, Archbishop Exner and Fr. Juan Vecchi. Pio Cardinal Laghi was able to return from a conference at the archdiocesan seminary, St. Patrick's in Menlo Park, to join in the general festivities and offer praises for the accomplishments of the Salesians during the past 100 years. The unveiling of the plaque was made by Fr. Vecchi and Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis. The performance of the Stars and Stripes Forever, The Star Spangled Banner and the Washington Post March was provided by Mr. Roger W. Torrey and thirteen fellow musicians as their tribute to the occasion.

The text of the plaque is as follows:

On March 11, 1897,

Fr. Raphael Piperni, Fr. Valentino Cassini,

Bro. Nicholas Imielinski and Bro. Joseph Oreni,

Salesians of Saint John Bosco,

came to the Italian community of North Beach

to care for the social and spiritual welfare

of all, especially the young.

The Salesian Family looks back in gratitude on

one hundred years of dedication,

and now looks forward with hope and optimism

working for the youth of the United States

in a new century, on the threshold of a new millennium.

Dedicated: February First

in the Year of the Lord:

One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Seven

Saturday, February 1^st

--Evening.

The Gala Banquet. Words cannot really describe this event. The banquet was in honor of the Salesian Rector Major, Very Reverend Juan Vecchi, S.D.B. It was held at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel in the Grand Ballroom. Over 1,300 participated, making it one of the largest public banquets to be held in San Francisco for many years. Beginning with a reception at 6:00 p.m. the seating for the dinner was at 7:00 p.m. A gourmet repast was served and throughout the meal various entertainments took place on three stages which were relayed to two large monitor screens for better viewing.

Members of the Salesian Boys and Girls Club grabbed the attention of all at the Banquet with their rendition of "There's Nothing like a Dame."

On Stage One was Miss Gabriella Artale, an young up-and-coming concert pianist. Her performances at the Salesian Centennial and the Italian Cultural Center were her United States debuts. At the Banquet she played pieces from Chopin and Gershwin. On Stage Two were the Sts. Peter and Paul Salesian Boys and Girls Club Singers. Paolo Biondi, George DeBrunner, Randal DeMartini, Tony Etcheveste, John Gumina, Lance Hughston, Vince Manfreda, Valentina Simi and Lola Simi, pianist, were featured. On Stage Three the St. Francis [Watsonville] Penny Club Youth Band and Dance Troupe under the direction of Fr. Jesse S. Montes, S.D.B., Gail Orozco and Michael Wolf were featured. The Penny Club's virtuoso performance stole the show. Back on Stage One the Bel Canto Singers featuring Maria Pignati, Peter Rossi, and Lola Simi, pianist belted out operatic arias and classical pieces.

Toward the end of the meal His Eminence Pio Cardinal Laghi, who had to leave early to catch an early flight back to Rome, his "chauffeur" being Archbishop William Levada, spoke to the assemblage, again praising the Salesians, their work and all gathered who collaborate with them for the sake of youth. He was also called upon by the able emcee, Fr. Larry Lorenzoni, S.D.B., to present the Papal medal "Benemerenti" to Mr. Alessandro Baccari for his outstanding service in organizing and ram-rodding the whole fifteen events of the Centennial Celebration.

The San Francisco Provincial, Fr. William Schafer, S.D.B. offered heartfelt thanks to all participants and organizers and introduced the Very Reverend Juan Vecchi, S.D.B. Fr. Vecchi spoke in Italian with Fr. Lorenzoni translating. Again Fr. Vecchi expressed his amazement at the scope of the celebrations and commended and encouraged all, especially the laity to continue to work for the welfare of youth, especially the disadvantaged. He received a standing ovation from the party-goers.

Sunday, February 2^nd [continues]