A surprise telephone call recently came from Dr. Sebastiano Salvatori, new Italian Consul General in San Francisco, who offered our Salesian community an unusual treat for the holidays, an elegantly boxed "Millesimum," the renowned 20-lb. Tre Marie panettone from Italy! To the Italian Consul General and to his dear family, heartfelt thanks and welcome to San Francisco! Don't worry: your boys, Gianluca and Federico, will soon be at home at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club...

A recent heartwarming experience, just a couple of weeks ago: the Italian Catholic Federation's annual pre-Christmas Dinner in San Mateo! ICF's Branch #168 is well known among our Salesians because, way back in 1974, Mrs. Antoinette Boles asked me to suggest the name of one of our young men studying for the Salesian priesthood, and for the past 24 years her St. Matthew's Branch has been sending $25 each month for Nick Reina. They were thrilled to hear at their Christmas dinner that "their boy" was ordained in 1978 (I was privileged to preach at his first Mass), that he is now the Provincial of our Western USA (San Francisco) Salesian Province, and that he will thank them personally, soon, at one of their regular meetings! Present also was Mrs. Palmira "Polly" Malamo, who was president of Branch #168 when they decided to start their monthly contribution!...

A thought: A closed hand cannot receive. We Salesians were also asked recently to contribute to the Paulist Fathers' effort to rebuild their condemned St. Mary's Chinese School, damaged in the 1989 earthquake. We did our best, also to help keep alive their nationally famous St. Mary's Drum & Bell Corps See you again next time God willing.

Father Larry