Provincial Announces Appointments for 2012-2013

Provincial Announces 
Appointments for 2012-2013

On April 19 Fr. Tom Dunne announced that Fr. Steve Ryan (at right) will become director of the Salesian community and apostolic work at Mary Help of Christians Center in Tampa. The effective date is Sept. 1.

The Tampa community includes the 3 SDBs who serve at Mary Help of Christians Parish and 6 helping at Garry & Mavis Smith Salesian Boys & Girls Club and/or the MHC retreat center, and 6 retired SDBs at St. Philip the Apostle Residence plus 2 SDBs who assist them.

Fr. Steve will succeed Fr. Dennis Donovan, who has completed two 3-year terms as director.

For the last 9 years Fr. Steve has been the province's "delegate for youth ministry" and a member of the provincial council. His oversaw YM projects thruout the province, including vocation "recruitment," and organized several new ones at province level--most notably the Gospel Roads program and pro-life rallies (Washington every January, in conjunction with the March for Life) and for high school students in the spring at Seton Hall University.

Fr. Steve (in red stole) with the group of young SDBs and other volunteers who accompanied him to El Salvador  for Gospel Roads III earlier this month.  The Gospel Roads programs for high school and older adolescents combine a retreat experience with service to the community in both the U.S. and overseas.

Fr. Tom also announced the re-appointment to new 3-year terms of Fr. Steve Dumais as director of the provincial residence community, Fr. George Hanna as director of the community in Washington (Nativity Church and Don Bosco Cristo Rey HS), and Fr. Richard Authier as director of the community in Montreal (Maria Ausiliatrice Church).

Earlier in 2012, on Feb. 29, Fr. Tom announced that Fr. Dumais and Bro. Tom Dion had been confirmed for new 3-year terms on the provincial council--Fr. Dumais continuing as vice provincial, and Bro. Dion switching from province treasurer to a "general" councilor. Fr. Donovan will replace him as treasurer. Also, Fr. Abe Feliciano, presently serving as YM at DB Cristo Rey HS, will become a councilor with YM oversight responsibility (replacing Fr. Ryan). Also stepping down from the council is Bro. Bernie Dube of the Toronto community.

All the appointments required the approval of the Rector Major; in addition, the RM's council must consent to the nominations of provincial councilors.