God is still calling!

My name is Tony Diaz. I am seventeen years old and a junior at Salesian High School in East Los Angeles. One of the first things I learned at my school was about a great man, St. John Bosco. I learned about his love for Jesus Christ and his passion to serve Jesus in young people. His experience of God was so real that he wanted all young people to come to know this God. Because of his example I started doing volunteer work at the Salesian Boys and Girls Club here in Los Angeles. Originally, I volunteered to fulfill my Christ-ian Service Hours for school, but after my requirement was met, I decided to volunteer my whole time to the club and to the kids there. They have made me feel great every time I go to the club. Finally I undersood what St. John Bosco was all about! He has inspired me to give my love and devotion to those young people at the club and in this way to serve God. The kids have moved me in a way that no one ever has before and I want to continue to help them in any way that I can.

Recently, the director of the club, Fr. Bill Schafer, saw me playing among the kids and he told me that I reminded him so much of St. John Bosco. That same day he asked to speak with me. He asked me if I had ever considered becoming a Salesian priest or brother. My first response was to hold off and I told him I was not ready yet. I thought, "Hey, I’m just a kid and I want to go out and have some fun!" But ever since he spoke with me, his invitation has stayed with me; things at the club, at home, and at school have made me think a lot about such a choice. The kids continue to talk to me about God, and this goes on constantly. Between the chat with Fr. Bill and these encounters with the kids, I have taken a serious interest in the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Today, I still look up to St. John Bosco because he has given me the chance to love and care for young people in the same way that he did. I have come closer to God by my service to youth. I am proud to be a Salesian student and volunteer and that is why I am now considering life as a Salesian. I hope you will pray for me!

"It is not enough that you love the young, you must show them that you love them."

–Don Bosco

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