Dear Salesian Sisters and...Dominic Savio Parish in Bellflower. St. Dominic Savio, or “Savio” as...

USA West Province Newsletter • San Francisco, California March 5, 2017

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK

Dear Salesian Sisters and Brothers,

I am finishing the visitation of St. Dominic Savio Parish in Bellflower. St. Dominic Savio, or “Savio” as we informally call the parish, has a spe-cial place in my heart. I spent seven years there as Pastor. It is a beauti-ful and very active Salesian Parish, filled with wonderful parishioners and imbued with a strong family spirit.

The Latino community has grown tremendously at Savio in the last several years. There is a great need to minister to this segment of the Parish. It is a challenge as we reflect and pray on how best to minister to all our parishioners but, in a special way, to this large Latino population. It is not only a question of saying a Spanish Mass or hearing a few con-

fessions in Spanish. But, rather, it is about accompanying our Spanish speaking families in all aspects of their lives. It requires a consistent and dedicated presence to the daily needs of these parishioners.

I am grateful to our three Salesian Priests (Fr. Chinh Nguyen, Fr. Aveli-no Lorenzo and Fr. Kristian Laygo) for their service and dedication to the people of Savio. I also wish to thank the Salesian Sisters who are doing a marvelous job of running a great school and Religious Edu-cation Program. Their presence at Savio makes a great difference and adds a significant presence to the Parish. It is a gift to have so many FMAs in residence and present to the parish community. So to my Salesian brothers and Sisters, a spe-cial THANK YOU!

Juan Carlos Montenegro, a lay minister who has lived with us for more than 14 years, also resides in the Rectory with the Salesians. His presence, apostolic energy and pas-sion have been a great contribution to the community life of the Sale-sians and to the Parish. Juan Car-los also runs the Salesian Boys and Girls Club in Boyle Heights. With the help of very dedicated volun-teers and paid workers, Juan Carlos has been able to continue the work for the poor in the East Los Angeles area. I wish to Thank Juan Carlos

Fr. Harold Danielson..........01Br. Joseph Reza..................10Fr. Bob Stein.......................11Fr. Chris Rosales................17Br. Joe Lockwood...............27Fr. Armand Oliveri.............30Fr. Itchan Laygo..................31

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

Fr. Steve Shafran, SDBBr. Bruno de Pretto, SDB

Fr. Mario Rosso, SDBFr. Armand Oliveri, SDB

Fr. Arthur Lenti, SDBFr. Larry Lorenzoni, SDB

Fr. Jesse Montes, SDB

Doris RocheMother of Fr. John Roche.

RIP on Jan.23rdFr. Amable Lorenzo, SDB

the brother of our Fr. AvelinoRIP on Jan.18th

Archbishop Patrick FloresArchbishop of San Antonio, TxHe was a Salesian Cooperator

RIP on Jan.9th

REST IN PEACE

1 INTOUCH • March 5, 2017

for his dedication and untiring work in trying to keep the Club doors open. It has been a huge challenge for Juan Carlos but he continues to move forward.

I will try to use these next two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, as office days. On Wednesday, March 8, I will be attending the Members meet-ing at St. John Bosco High School, which usually entails several hours in the afternoon.

On Thursday, March 9, I will drive up to Watsonville for an interview for their building campaign. I will remain overnight in Watsonville and drive up to Berkeley on Friday to be-gin the visitation of Don Bosco Hall, Berkeley that same evening. The visitation dates have been extended until March 24th, since I have had to plan several other events during the original scheduled visitation days. During those visitation days, I have Provincial Council meetings in Santa Cruz and on the following weekend I will attend The Salesian Family Day and Rock Out Poverty in Bellflower.

On the evening of Saturday, March 25th, the provincial council and I will leave for Cochabamba, Bolivia to attend what is called “Team Meet-ings.” The meetings include all the provincial councils of our Inter-American Region plus most of the General Council from Rome. Our Inter-American Region consists of fourteen provinces. Fr. Angel, our Rector Major, will be present with us during those days. The meet-ings start on the evening of Monday, March 27th and go until Saturday night, April 1. I will be back in San Francisco on the afternoon of Mon-day, April 3.

We have entered into the first week of Lent. This is a sacred time which the Church offers us in order to help us re-prioritize our values and goals. It is a time that reminds us that God not only needs to be cen-tral in our lives, but without him we cannot sustain ourselves. We live and move and have our very existence in and through Him. The Gospel for our First Sunday in Lent, focused on the three temptations which Jesus encountered during his

stay in the desert. The three temp-tations presented by Satan enticed Jesus to rely on himself rather than on God. These were temptations of arrogance and pride. The evil one wanted Jesus to show forth his pow-er and control rather than his trust in God, the Father. Of course, Jesus comes out victorious and gives us a powerful witness of surrendering to God’s goodness and power through trust. Later, at the end of Jesus’ life, Jesus will give us his final testimony of trust as he surrenders himself to-tally to the Father, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

As we journey through this Lenten Season let us pray that we too may learn to have greater trust in God. May we learn to strip off all “Ego,” selfishness and pride. May we learn to let go of our own arrogance and power and surrender to the God of Surprises. Enjoy the Lenten Ride!

With warm regards,

Fr. Ted Montemayor, SDB


Province Calendar

Province Calendar 2017 Province of St. Andrew the Apostle

San Francisco, California As of February 22, 2017

January, 2017 1 SU Mother of God 3-5 TU-TH Provincial Council Meeting, Salesian Preparatory, Richmond 4 WE Provincial Council Presentation: Care of the Elders 5 TH Provincial Council: Report on Novitiate 10-19 TU-TH Provincila Visitation, Salesian Community, Bellflower 16 MO Martin Luther King, Quarterly Day 17 TU Province Financial Advisory Mtg. 18 WE Board Members @ 1:30 PM SJB Bellflower 24 TU St. Francis de Sales, Patron 31 TU St. John Bosco, Founder February, 2017 1 WE Mass for Deceased Confrere 1 WE Members Board w/Dinner @ 4:00PM St. Francis High School 2 TH Members Board @ 12:00 PM Salesian, Richmond 2-6 TH-MO Provincial Visitation, SS P&P, San Francisco 7 TU Pius IX 7-10 TU-FR Visit, Curatorium, Orange, NJ 9 TH Bl. Eusebia Palomino Yenes, vir. 12-14 SU-TU Provincial Council Meeting, Don Bosco Tech, Rosemead 13 MO Provincial Council Presentation: Sharing the Mission with the Laity 16 TH Trusts Meetings 17 FR Board Meeting, Bosco Tech, Rosemead @ 10:00 AM 17-20 FR-MO Provincial Visit, St. Mary’s Parish, Los Angeles 20 MO President’s Day 23-26 TH-SU Religious Ed Congress 25 SA SS. Louis Versiglia & Callistus Caravario, Salesian Protomartyrs March, 2017 1 WE Ash Wednesday 3-6 FR-MO Provincial Visit, St. Dominic Savio Parish, Bellflower 8 WE Board Members @ 1:30 PM SJB Bellflower 10-17 FR-FR Provincial Visitation, Don Bosco Hall, St. Ambrose, Berkeley 13 MO Provincial Council Presentation: On-Going Formation

13-15 MO-WE Provincial Council Meeting, Villa Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz 17 FR St. Patrick’s Day 19 SU Salesian Family Province Day, Bellflower, followed by Rock Out Poverty, Bellflower 26-2 SU-TH “Conjunto”, Cochabamba, Bolivia April, 2017 5 WE Directors-Pastors Meeting, 10:00 AM to Dinner, Corpus Christi, San Francisco 6-7 TH-FR Provincial Council Meeting, Provincial Residence, San Francisco 11-17 TU-MO Provincial Visitation, San Luis Rey, Laredo 16 SU Easter Sunday 24-26 MO-WE North American Salesian Conference New Hampshire 28 FR Board Meeting, Bosco Tech, Rosemead @ 10:00 AM 28-3 FR-WE Provincial Visitation, Provincial Residence, San Francisco May, 2017

2 TU Province Finance Advisory Committee, San Francisco @ 5:20 4 TH Members Board w/ Dinner @ 4:00 PM Salesian, Richmond 5-6 FR-SA Provincial Council Meeting, Provincial Residence 6 SA St. Dominic Savio 9-12 TU-FR ESA, Medellin, Columbia 12-14 FR-SU Provincial Visit, St. Bridget Parish, Los Angeles 13 SA St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello 16 TU St. Louis Orione 17 WE Members Board @ 10:00 AM St. Francis High School 18 TH Board Members W/ Dinner @ 1:30 PM, SJB Bellflower 19-22 FR-MO Provincial Visitation, Corpus Christi, San Francisco 24 WE Mary Help of Christians 29 MO Memorial Day 31 WE Trusts Meetings @ 9:30 AM

Province Calendar 2017 Province of St. Andrew the Apostle

San Francisco, California As of February 22, 2017

January, 2017 1 SU Mother of God 3-5 TU-TH Provincial Council Meeting, Salesian Preparatory, Richmond 4 WE Provincial Council Presentation: Care of the Elders 5 TH Provincial Council: Report on Novitiate 10-19 TU-TH Provincila Visitation, Salesian Community, Bellflower 16 MO Martin Luther King, Quarterly Day 17 TU Province Financial Advisory Mtg. 18 WE Board Members @ 1:30 PM SJB Bellflower 24 TU St. Francis de Sales, Patron 31 TU St. John Bosco, Founder February, 2017 1 WE Mass for Deceased Confrere 1 WE Members Board w/Dinner @ 4:00PM St. Francis High School 2 TH Members Board @ 12:00 PM Salesian, Richmond 2-6 TH-MO Provincial Visitation, SS P&P, San Francisco 7 TU Pius IX 7-10 TU-FR Visit, Curatorium, Orange, NJ 9 TH Bl. Eusebia Palomino Yenes, vir. 12-14 SU-TU Provincial Council Meeting, Don Bosco Tech, Rosemead 13 MO Provincial Council Presentation: Sharing the Mission with the Laity 16 TH Trusts Meetings 17 FR Board Meeting, Bosco Tech, Rosemead @ 10:00 AM 17-20 FR-MO Provincial Visit, St. Mary’s Parish, Los Angeles 20 MO President’s Day 23-26 TH-SU Religious Ed Congress 25 SA SS. Louis Versiglia & Callistus Caravario, Salesian Protomartyrs March, 2017 1 WE Ash Wednesday 3-6 FR-MO Provincial Visit, St. Dominic Savio Parish, Bellflower 8 WE Board Members @ 1:30 PM SJB Bellflower 10-17 FR-FR Provincial Visitation, Don Bosco Hall, St. Ambrose, Berkeley 13 MO Provincial Council Presentation: On-Going Formation

13-15 MO-WE Provincial Council Meeting, Villa Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz 17 FR St. Patrick’s Day 19 SU Salesian Family Province Day, Bellflower, followed by Rock Out Poverty, Bellflower 26-2 SU-TH “Conjunto”, Cochabamba, Bolivia April, 2017 5 WE Directors-Pastors Meeting, 10:00 AM to Dinner, Corpus Christi, San Francisco 6-7 TH-FR Provincial Council Meeting, Provincial Residence, San Francisco 11-17 TU-MO Provincial Visitation, San Luis Rey, Laredo 16 SU Easter Sunday 24-26 MO-WE North American Salesian Conference New Hampshire 28 FR Board Meeting, Bosco Tech, Rosemead @ 10:00 AM 28-3 FR-WE Provincial Visitation, Provincial Residence, San Francisco May, 2017

2 TU Province Finance Advisory Committee, San Francisco @ 5:20 4 TH Members Board w/ Dinner @ 4:00 PM Salesian, Richmond 5-6 FR-SA Provincial Council Meeting, Provincial Residence 6 SA St. Dominic Savio 9-12 TU-FR ESA, Medellin, Columbia 12-14 FR-SU Provincial Visit, St. Bridget Parish, Los Angeles 13 SA St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello 16 TU St. Louis Orione 17 WE Members Board @ 10:00 AM St. Francis High School 18 TH Board Members W/ Dinner @ 1:30 PM, SJB Bellflower 19-22 FR-MO Provincial Visitation, Corpus Christi, San Francisco 24 WE Mary Help of Christians 29 MO Memorial Day 31 WE Trusts Meetings @ 9:30 AM

MARCH SALESIAN MISSIONARY INTENTION

For Salesians in the Middle East

That Salesians may continue to be signs of faith and hope among the persecuted Christians of the Middle East.

The Salesians continue to be present in sensitive places of conflict, such as Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Israel, Turkey and Lebanon. Alt-hough these are places with ancient and deep Christian roots, the disciples of Christ are still considered foreigners. The Salesians through their mission as educators and witnesses of Christ, make the discriminated and persecuted Christians in Islamic context feel the affection, solidarity, communion and faith of the Universal Church.

IN THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTION


N. 99 - March 2017

Newsletter for Salesian Missionary Animation

A Publication of the Missions Sector for the Salesian Communities and Friends of the Salesian Mission

“The voice of Blessed Óscar Romero continues to resonate today to re-mind us that the Church, a convocation of brothers around their Lord, is the family of God, in which there should be no division. Faith in Jesus C-hrist, when correctly understood and its final consequences accepted, ge-nerates communities that build peace and solidarity. This is what the Chur-ch in El Salvador is called to today, in America and in the whole world: to be rich in mercy and to become a leaven of reconciliation for society. “Archbishop Romero invites us to good sense and reflection, to respect for life and harmony. It is necessary to renounce “the violence of the sword, of hate” and to live “the violence of love, that left Christ nailed to the Cross, that makes each one of us overcome selfishness and so that there be no more such cruel inequality between us”. He knew how to see and he expe-rienced in his own flesh “the selfishness that hides itself in those who do not wish to give up what is theirs for the benefit of others”. And, with the heart of a father, he would worry about the “poor majority”, asking the powerful to convert “weapons into sickles for work”.“May those who hold Archbishop Romero as a friend of faith, those who invoke him as protector and intercessor, those who admire his image, find in him the strength and courage to build the Kingdom of God, to commit to a more equal and dignified social order.”

Pope Francis (letter on the occasion of the beatification of

Msgr. Romero, 23 May 2015 )

Conquer the violence of hate with the violence of love

In his missionary appeal last December 8, the Rector Major told us: “There are pres-ences of the Congregation that we can no longer support because in some countries of the five continents we do not have Salesians ... I think especially of the young

people who are waiting for us in the context of Project Europe, the Middle East, in countries with a Muslim-majority, the islands of Oceania, in South Sudan, Mongolia, Si-beria, Cambodia and Malaysia, as well as among young migrants in the Americas ... and in many other places!”Interesting. We seem to be listening to Don Bosco himself. We seem to see him in his office-room at Valdocco, on the upper floor, turning the globe round and round , and looking at all the places on earth where he wanted to send his children. We could take

each of these nations and these youth missionary frontiers and (1) pray for them, (2) seek information about them, (3) make them known. In this way neither indifference nor ignorance will paralyze us.

“Don Bosco is alive”, Don Ángel repeats this to us. He is very much alive, especially he wishes to keep alive the missionary spirit in each of his children. Thanks… and have courage!

Fr. Guillermo Basanes, SDB Councillor for the missions

e, especially he wishes t

GuGGGGGGGG iiiiiiiiliiii lermo Basanes SD

24 March Martyrdom of Blessed Óscar Romero

REMEMBRANCE DAY OF MARTYRED MISSIONARIES


Salesian Missionary Intention

The Salesians continue to be present in sensitive places of conflict, such as Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Israel, Turkey and Lebanon. Although these are places with ancient and deep Christian roots, the disciples of Christ are still considered foreign-ers. The Salesians through their mission as educators and witnesses of Christ, make the discriminated and persecuted Christians in Islamic context feel the affection, solidarity, communion and faith of the Universal Church.

Witness of Salesian Missionary Sanctity Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni SDB, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints

Venerable José Vandor (1909-1979), hungarian missionary in Cuba, always paid much attention to the training of young apprentices especially those coming from poor families for whom he did not hesitate to ask for help: "This training centre has as its purpose the technical and practical formation of apprentices. Our students are mostly children of peasant or average families and among them there is a significant number of orphans”.

W hen I came to know the Salesians the whole Congregation was full of missionary fervour not only because of Project Africa, but also because Fr. Viganò had asked every Province to take up a mission territory. Many Salesians of my Province had already gone as missionaries. My

heart was restless because I also felt that inner call to leave behind familiar shores and set my heart upon the deep. When my missionary application was accepted my initial joy quickly turned to dis-belief when I realised that I was assigned to Papua New Guinea! “Could I survive in such a tough place?” My fear and anxieties soon became a firm resolve to learn

well the language and culture of ‘my people’! Together with 4 other Salesians we started a new presence in the capital. Don Bosco was practically unknown yet in the country. Pioneering was tough. We had to improvise everything. But those years were full of initiatives, enthusiasm and joy. After my ordination I was sent back to this work. This time we worked to form our local lay collaborators. I also started the first group of Salesian Cooperators and the ADMA. I could literally see before my eyes the Salesian charism taking root. Then, one day, the Provincial informed me that the Bishops’ Conference was asking me to be the Director of the national Liturgical-Catechetical Institute. I initially refused this totally new field for me. I was not sure I wanted to walk past horizons that I know! Yet, again, I was restless. I felt a stirring deep within to go beyond the fears which were closing me in! Looking back, I realised that accompanying the work of evange-lization of the 23 dioceses widened my ecclesial and missionary horizons! Later, while I was working on my thesis in Rome, out of the blue, I received a call from the Councilor for the Mis-sions asking me to be part of the Missions Sector at the Generalate. This time I was deeply troubled. But I also realized that the Lord was inviting me to get out of the fortress of my mind, and learn again to trust in Him and set out once more. I accepted only after an agonizing discernment. Now I am grateful for the worldwide perspec-tive I have of the Congregation, after meeting missionaries in 5 continents and often in difficult situations. I have already started preparing to conclude my service in the Missions Sector. Then one morning the Rector Ma-jor called me to his office and asked me to be the Superior of the new Vice Province of Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands. While he was explaining to me his choice, my mind was clouded with questions and doubts. But I also felt an inner voice whispering to me, to dare and set out one more time!

Hence, to me being a missionary is living in a permanent state of restlessness, always ready to dare the improbable so that we may learn to trust the Lord, who invites us to constantly set our hearts upon the deep!

Fr. Alfred Maravilla SDB Filipino, missionary in Papua New Guinea

For Salesians in the Middle East

That Salesians may continue to be signs of faith and hope among the persecuted Christians of the Middle East.

PERMANENTLY ‘RESTLESS’ TO SET MY HEART UPON THE DEEP!


Thousands of the religious, catechists and young people from all over U.S. gather at Anaheim Convention Cen-ter for Los Angeles Religious Education Congress every year. This year, I was blessed to attend this Religious Congress again along with over forty-thousand other people. The theme for the Religious Congress was called Embrace Trust.

After seven hours on the road, Fr. Tom, Damien and I ar-rived to St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower. We were full of excitement, I was very happy to be back at Bosco’s community, to see the Salesians and many people from there. The same night, after the Youth Day, the students from Salesian Richmond, St. Francis High School and St. John Bosco High School gathered in the oratory to hangout, talk and play table games. Meanwhile, the boys from St. John Bosco High School also gave Salesian Richmond and St. Francis High School a tour around the campus. I saw the welcoming, friendship and home en-

vironment in the oratory among them. Though they were tired after a day of cheering and fun with over fifteen thousand teenagers at Youth Day, they took this time to relax, meet new friends from their brother/sister’s school and share their youthfulness at the oratory. I believe this was a chance for them to meet and learn from each other about other Salesian schools and how we are related.

Three days at the Religious Education Congress, filled with religious, catechists and many young people, gave us all a chance to share our faith. This was my forth Re-ligious Congress, each time it is a different experience. On friday morning, we were walking toward the salesian booth, when we happened to run into the salesian sisters and many familiar faces with greetings and smiles in the exhibit hall. We were able to meet our salesian family members and friends throughout the weekend. I always get excited to see the salesian booth when I arrived at the congress. Each year the Salesian Youth Movement puts

Religious Education Congress 2017By Quang Nguyen, Novice


together a very attractive and beautifully decorated booth, to promote the salesian family, vocations and to provide salesian merchandise. While at the booth, I had time to be with the salesians and young people there. Besides being at the booth, it was also a chance for me to be updated in our faith and for young people in the church by attending many workshops and interaction with others. And especially a place where I learned more about my faith, and it motivated me seeing others gathered as a living Church. This helps strengthen my vocation. I was blessed to be at the Religious Congress this year, it was a fruitful moment for me to wit-ness thousands of people gathered at this event learning about their faith.

Quang Nguyen, Novice


9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

REGISTRATION & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:45 AM

WELCOME & OPENING PRAYER

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

SESSION 1

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

LUNCH

12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

SESSION 2

2:45 PM

MASS

4:00 PM

ROCK OUT YOUTH POVERTY

* No cost to attend

S C H E D U L E O F T H E D A Y


TEDAYRISS & RACH

GHOST LIT KINGDOM

ROCK OUT YOUTH POVERTY

f /Salesian.Youth.Movement.USAWestwww.salesianym.org @symusawestsym_usawest


Healing Mass

What is a Healing Mass? A healing mass is a special celebration of the mass that aims

at helping people find healing in whatever areas they may need it. Although, the mass itself has certain healing elements.

The healing mass at St. Mary’s was celebrated by Fr. Beto Chavez, S.D.B., on Monday night. The church was filled with parishioners seeking a holy prayer and anointing for illness.

After the mass was over Fr. Beto, S.D.B., anointed all of the parishioners and Fr. Jesse Montes, S.D.B., with a small prayer to heal the person of both physical and spiritual aliments.

The healing mass was organized with the prayer group called Maria Auxiliadora and Fr. Beto, S.D.B., which proved to be a great success.

Picture right features Maria Castañeda, Salesian Cooperator, after being anointed.


Ash Wednesday was a busy day for the three priests at St. Mary’s Church. The day was spent giving out ashes during the services throughout the day, lasting until ten in the evening.

Also, Fr. Jesse Montes, S.D.B., and celebrated mass at Sacred Heart High School. He and his associate pastors administered ashes at Promise Hospital, White Memorial Medical Center, and Infinity Rest Home. Fr. Jesse also served those going to school or work or just passing by at the corner of Fourth and Chicago streets.

The Sacred Heart High School Ambassadors are in charge of organizing the mass with the help of Dominican Sister Catherine Marie.

With the help of volunteers like Maria Tejada, Fr. Jesse, S.D.B., was distributed ashes to the patients and staff at the White Memorial.


MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2017 "The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift" Dear Brothers and Sisters, Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God “with all their hearts” (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and to grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is the faithful friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive (cf. Homily, 8 January 2016). Lent is a favourable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. At the basis of everything is the word of God, which during this season we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply. I would now like to consider the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (cf. Lk 16:19-31). Let us find inspiration in this meaningful story, for it provides a key to understanding what we need to do in order to attain true happiness and eternal life. It exhorts us to sincere conversion. 1. The other person is a gift The parable begins by presenting its two main characters. The poor man is described in greater detail: he is wretched and lacks the strength even to stand. Lying before the door of the rich man, he fed on the crumbs falling from his table. His body is full of sores and dogs come to lick his wounds (cf. vv. 20-21). The picture is one of great misery; it portrays a man disgraced and pitiful. The scene is even more dramatic if we consider that the poor man is called Lazarus: a name full of promise, which literally means God helps. This character is not anonymous. His features are clearly delineated and he appears as an individual with his own story. While practically invisible to the rich man, we see and know him as someone familiar. He becomes a face, and as such, a gift, a priceless treasure, a human being whom God loves and cares for, despite his concrete condition as an outcast (cf. Homily, 8 January 2016). Lazarus teaches us that other persons are a gift. A right relationship with people consists in gratefully recognizing their value. Even the poor person at the door of the rich is not a nuisance, but a summons to conversion and to change. The parable first invites us to open the doors of our heart to others because each person is a gift, whether it be our neighbour or an anonymous pauper. Lent is a favourable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ. Each of us meets people like this every day. Each life that we encounter is a gift deserving acceptance, respect and love. The word of God helps us to open our eyes to welcome and love life, especially when it


is weak and vulnerable. But in order to do this, we have to take seriously what the Gospel tells us about the rich man. 2. Sin blinds us The parable is unsparing in its description of the contradictions associated with the rich man (cf. v.19). Unlike poor Lazarus, he does not have a name; he is simply called “a rich man”. His opulence was seen in his extravagant and expensive robes. Purple cloth was even more precious than silver and gold, and was thus reserved to divinities (cf. Jer 10:9) and kings (cf. Jg 8:26), while fine linen gave one an almost sacred character. The man was clearly ostentatious about his wealth, and in the habit of displaying it daily: “He feasted sumptuously every day” (v. 19). In him we can catch a dramatic glimpse of the corruption of sin, which progresses in three successive stages: love of money, vanity and pride (cf. Homily, 20 September 2013). The Apostle Paul tells us that “the love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Tim 6:10). It is the main cause of corruption and a source of envy, strife and suspicion. Money can come to dominate us, even to the point of becoming a tyrannical idol (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 55). Instead of being an instrument at our service for doing good and showing solidarity towards others, money can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace. The parable then shows that the rich man’s greed makes him vain. His personality finds expression in appearances, in showing others what he can do. But his appearance masks an interior emptiness. His life is a prisoner to outward appearances, to the most superficial and fleeting aspects of existence (cf. ibid., 62). The lowest rung of this moral degradation is pride. The rich man dresses like a king and acts like a god, forgetting that he is merely mortal. For those corrupted by love of riches, nothing exists beyond their own ego. Those around them do not come into their line of sight. The result of attachment to money is a sort of blindness. The rich man does not see the poor man who is starving, hurting, lying at his door. Looking at this character, we can understand why the Gospel so bluntly condemns the love of money: “No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money” (Mt 6:24). 3. The Word is a gift The Gospel of the rich man and Lazarus helps us to make a good preparation for the approach of Easter. The liturgy of Ash Wednesday invites us to an experience quite similar to that of the rich man. When the priest imposes the ashes on our heads, he repeats the words: “Remember that you


and the greater part of the parable takes place in the afterlife. The two characters suddenly discover that “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Tim 6:7). We too see what happens in the afterlife. There the rich man speaks at length with Abraham, whom he calls “father” (Lk 16:24.27), as a sign that he belongs to God’s people. This detail makes his life appear all the more contradictory, for until this moment there had been no mention of his relation to God. In fact, there was no place for God in his life. His only god was himself. The rich man recognizes Lazarus only amid the torments of the afterlife. He wants the poor man to alleviate his suffering with a drop of water. What he asks of Lazarus is similar to what he could have done but never did. Abraham tells him: “During your life you had your fill of good things, just as Lazarus had his fill of bad. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony” (v. 25). In the afterlife, a kind of fairness is restored and life’s evils are balanced by good. The parable goes on to offer a message for all Christians. The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, who are still alive. But Abraham answers: “They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them” (v. 29). Countering the rich man’s objections, he adds: “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead” (v. 31). The rich man’s real problem thus comes to the fore. At the root of all his ills was the failure to heed God’s word. As a result, he no longer loved God and grew to despise his neighbour. The word of God is alive and powerful, capable of converting hearts and leading them back to God. When we close our heart to the gift of God’s word, we end up closing our heart to the gift of our brothers and sisters. Dear friends, Lent is the favourable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbour. The Lord, who overcame the deceptions of the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need. I encourage all the faithful to express this spiritual renewal also by sharing in the Lenten Campaigns promoted by many Church organizations in different parts of the world, and thus to favour the culture of encounter in our one human family. Let us pray for one another so that, by sharing in the victory of Christ, we may open our doors to the weak and poor. Then we will be able to experience and share to the full the joy of Easter. FRANCIS


Last month (February 2, 2017), Fr. Al Mengon presided at the funeral of Sister Xaveria, a Carmelite Sister who was the TURN SISTER at the Carmel of Christ the Ex-iled King Monastery, Kensington, California. The Sale-sians at Salesian College Preparatory, Richmond were the Chaplains for the Monastery. The Turn Sister was an official position in the Monastery. She was appointed by the Superior to welcome all visitors at the turn table as you entered the Monastery.

One might ask: “How did the Salesians become chap-lains for the Carmelites at Kensington?” It began in 1949, Fr. Edgar Rocha, SDB was the pastor of the Mary Help of Christians Church and the family of the future Sister Mary Magdalen of the Resurrection were regular parishioners of the parish. She was baptized, made her first confession, received her first Holy Communion and other Sacraments there and other Catholic instructions from the Salesians that ministered the Parish of Mary Help of Christians. Mary Magdalen was very fond of Fr. Rocha because of his kindness and friendliness.

Mary Magdalen, wanted to become Carmelite Sister and professed as a Sister with the name, Sister Mary Magda-len of the Resurrection. Sister Mary was one of the first Carmelites to live at the new Monastery. Mother Con-stance of the Sacred Heart was the Superior of the newly established religious community.

Mother Constance of the Sacred Heart, Prioress needed a regular chaplain for daily Mass and Benediction on Sundays and Holy Days. Sister Mary Magdalen of the Resurrection told Mother Constance about the Salesians in her home Parish of Mary Help of Christians, Oakland, California. She told her about her Sacramental life and her devotion to Mary Help of Christians and to St. John Bosco and the kindness of the Salesian priests. Mother Constance contacted Fr. Rocha about being chaplain of the Monastery. Fr. Rocha suggested to Sister Constance to contact Fr. Alfred Broccardo, Director of Salesian Ju-nior Seminary, Richmond, California. Sister Constance contacted Fr. Broccardo and he accepted in the name of the Salesian Community to be Chaplains to the Carmelite Sisters of Kensington. Sister Mary Magdalen of the Resurrection was one of the first local vocations for the

new monas-tery and the other sisters came from Santa Clara Carmel Mon-astery, Santa Clara, Cali-fornia.

The just deceased Sister Xaveria, the Turn Sister, knew all of the news about the Salesians and the school in Richmond. The Salesians continued to be chaplains to the Monastery and they would inform Sister Xaveria about what was happening at the school and especially about the sports program at Salesian College Prepara-tory, Richmond, California. Another Sister Mary of the Angeles remembers Fr. Larry Byrne was always on time for Benediction and of course with the latest news. Fr. Ralph Murphy as a student served the first benediction that was celebrated in the new monastery.

The Salesians were chaplains from 1950 until 2010.

Let us remember Sister Xaveria in our prayers. And I would like to thank Mrs. Toni Candido for helping me to contact Sister Mary of the Angels who helped me with this article and Brother Larry King, the Archivist for the Province. The Province Archives are so organized; it was very easy to find the information about the past; thank you Brother Larry King, The Archivist.

Sister Xaveria - TURN SISTERBy Brother Joseph R. Lockwood, SDB


I am approaching the subject of weight gingerly. Why? I

don’t want people to think that I am critical of you just

because you might be on the “heavy” side. I want to

have a deeper understanding of weight and how that

affects your health. For the coming weeks, we will

unravel how our weight could change our health and

more importantly what can we do about it. I dare not

offend you by making broad statements about weight

or obesity. Hence I was extremely happy to come across

this website “Weight Matters” in their introductory

statement about why weight matters. It begins with an

opening statement which reflects my belief and my

motivation to begin our conversation on weight.

The issue of weight matters to people in many different

ways. It evokes many different emotions and can often

be difficult to talk about with your healthcare provider,

spouse, friend, loved one or others.

The most important reason why weight matters is

because of your health.

There are many health implications that accompany

excess weight, such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep

apnea and others. Sometimes weight can even affect

emotional health as well. It is not uncommon for some-

one dealing with weight issues to be affected by

depression or a lack of self-confidence.

Gaining excess weight and realizing the health implica-

tions is not always the easiest thing to recognize. In fact,

most Americans do not realize that they are affected by

Weigh In OnYour HealthBy Sheila Kun RN, BA, BSN, MS(Salesian Cooperator)

excess weight or obesity, or even at risk for weight-

related conditions. This is why it is so important for you

to realize that YOUR WEIGHT DOES MATTER!

Let me begin by going into the physiological compo-

nent of a fat cell this week. From Wikipedia in its defini-

tion of Adipocyte: Adipocytes, also known as lipocytes

and fat cells, are the cells that primarily compose

adipose tissue, specialized in storing energy as fat.

Your homework assignment from the Care Ministry this

week: get your weight and height ready. Next week we

will need these measurements to know your BMI (Body

Mass Index).

The Care Ministry welcomes your

comments/suggestions: [email protected]

Knowing the Path to Diabetes and Self-Help

Since one out of three U.S. adults have prediabetes, I feel the more knowledgeable we are about diabetes, the better we will be to lower the risk. This week we will familiarize ourselves with the Hemoglobin A1C test to monitor diabetes, what leads to type 2 diabetes and the ways to avoid type 2 diabetes – an abstract from the Nu-trition Action Health Letter January and February issue 2017.

Hemoglobin A1C, a long-term measure of blood sugar, is the easiest way to test for diabetes and is a good blood test as an indicator for diabetes. Normal is below 5.7%, prediabetes is 5.7% to 6.4% and diabetes is 6.5% and higher. Checking fasting glucose is one way to check your sugar level, but the Hemoglobin A1C tells you of an average measure of blood sugar within the last few months. In another words, it predicts your sugar level by giving you the average score rather than the episodic level.

What leads to type 2 Diabetes? The trigger seems to be insulin resistance (or insulin insensitivity). Insulin acts

as a key that allows blood sugar to enter cells, where it can be burned for fuel or stored for later. But in some people, especially those who are overweight, the key can’t open the lock.

To compensate for that insulin resistance, the pancre-as pumps out more and more insulin. If it’s not quite enough, blood sugar creeps up to “prediabetes” levels. “But after years of stress on the pancreas to produce more insulin, the pancreatic cells deteriorate and can’t keep up with the demand,” says Harvard’s Walter Wil-lett. That is when blood sugar reaches the “diabetes” range.

What can you do to cut down the risks of diabetes? Cut-ting back on unhealthy carbohydrates – basically white flour and other refined starch, sugar, and potatoes – is helpful. There is about a 25% increase in the risk of dia-betes for each 12 oz. serving of sugar-sweetened bev-erages per day”, notes Willett. Both processed and un-processed red meat are related to a higher risk for type 2 diabetes, consistently and quite strongly in all of the

Abstracted by Sheila Kun, Cooperator


studies. If you want to keep diabetes risk low, replace red meat with some beans, nuts or other plant sources of protein, or some dairy, poultry, or fish. In the dairy prod-uct category, it looks like yogurt seems to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. In Willett’s studies, each daily cup of coffee was linked to a 4 to 8 percent lower risk of diabe-tes. People who consume more magnesium–rich-foods – like leafy greens, beans, nuts and whole grains – have a lower risk of progressing from prediabetes to diabetes. Some studies suggested people with low vitamin D lev-

els have a higher risk of diabetes. These studies were not conclusively thus far. Stay tuned.

Your homework assignment from the Care Ministry this week: Can you name a few food that would lower your risk of diabetes?

The Care Ministry welcomes your comments/suggestions: [email protected]


Dear Salesian Sisters and...Dominic Savio Parish in Bellflower. St. Dominic Savio, or “Savio” as...

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