Fr. Tim Zak Appointed Provincial

Fr. Tim Zak Appointed Provincial

On June 9 the Salesians of the New Rochelle Province were informed that Fr. Angel Fernandez, Rector Major, has named Fr. Timothy Zak as provincial.  Fr. Tim, vice provincial since July 1, 2015, had already been interim provincial following the resignation of Fr. Steve Shafran in March of this year.

Fr. Tim was born in Stoughton, Mass., in 1962. He made his novitiate in Newton, N.J., in 1982-1983, made his perpetual vows in 1989, and was ordained in Boston on May 26, 1991. After ministry in various province works, he was appointed director of the youth center in Orange, N.J. (2005-2007), director and pastor at St. John Bosco Parish in Chicago (2007-2013), and pastor of Holy Rosary Parish and director of the Salesian community of Port Chester (2013-2015) until his appointment as vice provincial.

 The Rector Major’s letter follows.

Direzione Generale Opere Don Bosco

    Via della Pisana 1111 – 00163 Roma

                     Il Rettor Maggiore

June 8, 2017

TO ALL THE CONFRERES

OF THE PROVINCE OF ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (SUE)

My Dear Confreres:

It gives me great pleasure to announce to you that with the consent of the General Council I am appointing as your provincial for the 2017-2023 period

Fr. Timothy John Zak, SDB

I wish to thank him for accepting this appointment with a spirit of Salesian availability, obedience, and deep love for all of you.

I want also to take this opportunity to thank him for the gentle yet steady leadership he has been offering the province during the time of Fr. Steve Shafran’s illness and absence.

And finally I wish to thank you, dear confreres, for the serene manner in which you are living this delicate moment of transition in your province’s history.  This was evident in the high percentage of your participation in the consultation, in your very instructive and illuminating comments, and in your near unanimity in recommending that Fr. Tim Zak be your next provincial.

We continue praying for dear Fr. Steve Shafran.  May the Lord through Mary Help of Christians help him to continue healing.  And may the good Lord, through the intercession of your patron St. Philip the Apostle, abundantly bless your new provincial and your whole provincial community, especially the young people to whom the Lord sends you.

Looking forward to my visit among you next year, I send a warm and fraternal embrace.

P. Ángel Fernández A.,SDB

Rector Major