13 Salesian Lay Missioners Commissioned

13 Salesian Lay Missioners Commissioned

2017 batch of Salesian Lay Missioners

with Adam Rudin (back row far left), Bro. Craig Spence (next to Adam),

Fr. Tim Zak (back row center), Clare Pressimone (middle row far left), and Fr. Mark Hyde (middle row far right).

On August 18 Fr. Tim Zak, provincial, blessed 13 missionary crosses and commissioned 13 new Salesian Lay Missioners during Mass at Don Bosco Retreat Center in Haverstraw.

The SLMs were completing three weeks of orientation that included talks on such topics as enculturation, Don Bosco, and the Preventive System; practical service in youth ministry and other ministries at St. John Bosco Parish in Port Chester, N.Y.; spiritual reflection; paperwork; and finally, a retreat at Haverstraw that included sharing meals and prayer with SDBs.

SDBs join Fr. Tim in praying the blessing over the SLMs

The orientation was coordinated by SLM director Adam Rudin, Salesian Missions director Fr. Mark Hyde, and returned SLM Clare Pressimone (Cambodia, 2014) with assistance from Bro. Craig Spence (SLM 2001-2003, Paterson, N.J., and New York City) and Fr. Ken Shaw of Salesian Missions.

SLMs make not only an oral commitment to a year's service but a written one too.

The SLMs will be missioned overseas to Bolivia, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Vietnam, and Zambia; and in the U.S. to Tampa.

Inspired by the collect of the Mass for ministers of the Church, Fr. Hyde’s homily (left) encouraged the SLMs (and the SDBs on retreat, too) to be “effective in action, gentle in ministry, and constant in prayer.” Fr. Hyde reminded them to serve others, like Christ, to turn to Mary in any difficulties they meet, and to be ready to sacrifice themselves in love, like Jesus. He assured them that the Salesians will pray for them.

On Thursday the 17th, your humble blogger took the SLMs on what has become something of an orientation tradition: a picnic and hike at Bear Mountain State Park, preceded by a short tour of the ruins of Fort Montgomery.

Eating sandwiches, etc., alongside Bear Mt.'s Hessian Lake

At scenic overlook, something like halfway up Bear Mt.

with Hudson River and Iona Island in the background