The Grand Centennial Celebration at SS. Peter and Paul's Church in San Francisco is over. Yet the Celebration continues in the various works of the San Francisco Province and then shifts to the New Rochelle Province (NY), concluding on May 3, 1998, in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City. In reflecting on stupendous events and the energy and money spent, it is right and just that honor be given those who made the Centennial a reality. This event had been discussed for several years, in fact, for thirteen years following the centennial of the founding of the parish of SS. Peter and Paul in North Beach, San Francisco, in 1984. The circumstances leading up to the coming of the Salesians in 1897 are described elsewhere (Cf. Salesian Bulletin, April 1997, 1:1).
As usual the discussions were mostly brainstorming: "What are we going to do" and "How are we going to do it?" The Army truism "Never Volunteer!" applied here. So it happened that there was not a great rush of persons falling over themselves to spearhead the project. Fr. David Purdy, SDB, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Church, the focal point of the Centennial and, subsequently, the eye of the
| Mr. and Mrs. Alessandro and Kathy Baccari proudly display the Papal "Benemerenti" Medal awarded to Alessandro for his work for the Church and the Salesian Centennial. | |
storm, serendipitously met Mr. Alessandro Baccari in 1995 at Caesar's Restaurant. Fr. David somewhat casually and informally asked Mr. Baccari if he would be interested. To use the image of a stampede would be inadequate to describe Mr. Baccari's enthusiastic acceptance.
What first began as a weekend celebration for Friday, January 31 (the Feast of St. John Bosco), Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 2, soon exploded into a three-month, fifteen-event extravaganza.
Mr. Baccari and his wonderfully supportive wife and collaborator, Kathy, went to work and set up a series of planning meetings. Mr. Baccari, throughout his life and in his business dealings, seemed to know every mover and shaker as far as the eye could see. This included political, theatrical, ecclesiastical, artistic, business and technical personages. Names were thrown into the suggestion hopper, and there emerged an ensemble of participants that boggled the mind. Let it be publicly acknowledged that the Centennial Celebration would have been a nice weekend celebration without any media interest, except to the locals, without Mr. Alessandro Baccari -- Ramrod!
Of course it was not a one-man show. He marshaled personnel from all over. For Salesian and ecclesiastical contacts Fr. Larry Lorenzoni, SDB, Fr. Gael Sullivan, SDB, and Fr. Joseph Boenzi, SDB, were vital in bring together major Salesian leaders and cardinals and bishops. Mr. Arthur Costamagna and Mr. Baccari himself scoured Congress, the statehouse and city hall for the dignitaries who were present for the plaque ceremony and gala banquet.
Eminent personages from the financial and business communities likewise felt the persuasive arm-twisting of Mr. Baccari et al. The number of persons involved was tremendous, and this magazine paid tribute to the Centennial Committee elsewhere. In truth, very little persuasion was needed since many of those contacted were either once "Salesian" boys and girls or well-disposed to matters Salesian because of the work and influence of those, who in the community of North Beach and throughout the country, served youth and addressed their needs.
Although contracted professionally, Maryanne Murry, an events coordinator, worked as Mr. Baccari's organizer, factotum and gofer. The amount of time, travel and detail juggling that she did was worthy of a place in the acrobats and circus-performers hall of fame.
As a result, the wheels of proper recognition, if that is possible, were set spinning and Fr. Larry Lorenzoni, provincial director of development, petitioned Cardinal Pio Laghi to obtain the Papal "Benemerenti" Medal from Pope John Paul II. The "Benemerenti" (meaning "to a well-deserving person") medal, originated by Gregory XVI, is awarded for military or civic service and bears the image of the reigning Pontiff. The award was granted and Cardinal Laghi bestowed it on Mr. Baccari during the gala centennial banquet at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel with 1400 celebrants looking on. Needless to say, Mr. Baccari was surprised, stunned and overwhelmed by the "well-deserved" honor. "The names of all of you who assisted me in this venture are permanently engraved on my heart," he said in accepting the award.
To all the volunteers who stuffed envelopes, sorted, stamped and counted; to the ushers and greeters who made the events run smoothly; to all the masters of ceremonies, and especially to all the principals who made this event a true spectacle: thanks from the Salesians (SDB; FMA), the Salesian Cooperators, the Volunteers of Don Bosco, the Friends of Don Bosco and the whole Salesian Family!
St. John Bosco has truly smiled on us and will bless us with many more dedicated religious and spiritually renewed and committed laity as his work continues into the second century and the new millennium. And his work is? -- Furthering the message of Jesus and the Church among the youth of our area, our country and our world. To tell the story that God is real, and loves them very much because we are real and we love them very much.