Salesian Family: "Diverse and Optimistic"
Mr. Richard Demeter
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Last January 31, St. Dominic Savio Church in Bellflower, Calif., marked the feast of St. John Bosco by celebrating the diversity of the branches of the Salesian family as well as the ethnic diversity of their members. "Our parish reflects the growing ethnic and cultural diversity of the Los Angeles archdiocese," explained Fr. Gael Sullivan, SDB, the pastor at the Salesian church, about his parish's mix of Vietnamese, Hispanic, Filipino and Anglo members. "Our recent celebration was an attempt to bring these groups together by encouraging common events and activities. Our differences don't have to divide us. While we use many languages, we're all part of St. John Bosco's family." |
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The focus of the event was a Mass concelebrated by eight Salesians: Fathers Peter Bui, Joseph Anh, Paul Caporali, Deacon Br. Thinh Nguyen, Gael Sullivan, and Mark Rougeau (pictured). Also present were Fathers Carmine Vairo (Vice Provincial), Alazar Kidane from Ethiopia, and Leo Baysinger, (associate pastor). |
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Those who played an active role in the liturgy represented different branches of the Salesian family in the parish. Two of them-the Salesian Society (priests and brothers) and the Salesian Cooperators (laypersons)-were established by St. John Bosco himself, while the Salesian Sisters (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) were cofounded by Don Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello. Although the Association of the Devotees of Mary Help of Christians was established in Don Bosco's time, the parish's other Salesian groups are of more recent vintage: the Salesian Women (Damas Salesianas), the Salesian Past Pupils and the Salesian Vietnamese Cooperators. |
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The unity within the Salesian family was symbolized when various representatives joined to create a canvas portrait of St. John Bosco near the altar. "As each of us put together the portrait, I thought of how so many people of different backgrounds and languages could be brought together by the same Salesian tradition," said Sr. Teresa Murillo, FMA, who acted on behalf of the four Salesian Sisters in the parish. "All the different Salesian groups were represented and united. It showed that we have Don Bosco's complete family in our midst." |
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Following the liturgy Fr. Gael unveiled a plaque donated to the parish by the Hispanic Past Pupils group. The memorial is inscribed with the legend "Celebrating the New Millennium with St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello." "This plaque represents the fact that Don Bosco and Mary Mazzarello are living through the Salesian past pupils, not only in this parish, but throughout the world," explained Maria Teresa Conti, an officer of the Hispanic Past Pupils and a graduate of a Salesian school in La Plata, Argentina. |
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During the Mass, Br. Patricio Botta, a 28-year-old Salesian from Argentina, renewed his religious vows. He had spent the previous four months at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Rosemead, Calif., improving his spoken English and learning about the Graphic Communications Department. |
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The largest number of participants at the day's events was a group of 200 Hispanic, Filipino and Vietnamese alumni/alumnae who attended Salesian institutions in their own countries. Known as Salesian Past Pupils, they are organized along ethnic lines, each group having its own officers. |
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The day's "One from Many" theme continued at the evening's potluck dinner, where guests savored a variety of ethnic dishes and forms of entertainment. "Language and nationality were no barriers," added Fr. Leo Baysinger, SDB, associate pastor at St. Dominic Savio, commenting about the day's events. "We all came together as members of the Salesian family united by the charism of St. John Bosco. We all joined in as one-and sang, worshipped, prayed and ate together." |
