100th Anniversary of Salesian Boys' and Girls' Club

100th Anniversary of Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club in San Francisco

By Frank Lavin, Salesian Cooperator, former Club member and past board president

(ANS – San Francisco – June 30, 2022) – On Saturday, June 18, the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco celebrated its 100th anniversary. Fr. Mel Trinidad, provincial of the SDB U.S. Western Province, presided at Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi assisted by pastor Fr. Tho Bui, SDB, before the evening celebration. Highlights of the evening included a reunion of sorts of over 450 former Club members and friends, performances by the Club youth’s theatrical group, and the premiere of a 40-minute video documentary chronicling the Club’s rich history.

Likely the oldest living former Club member, Fr. Armand Oliveri, SDB, enjoyed the evening and the “shout out” and applause given to him. The current Club directors, Randal De Martini and Sherri Hughston, are both Club alumni with Mr. De Martini ministering there for over 40 years. Former director Russ Gumina, who served for almost 50 years, was coincidentally on a pilgrimage to Salesian holy places in Italy and prayed for the Club at Don Bosco’s tomb during the festivities. Many past pupils enjoyed visiting their FMA teachers at the celebration; the FMAs have served at the parish school since 1950.

The Salesians came to North America at Sts. Peter and Paul in 1897 (so are celebrating 125 years this year). After many requests from the San Francisco archbishops, starting with Bp. Joseph Alemany, O.P., during Don Bosco’s lifetime, Blessed Michael Rua assented to Archbishop Riordan’s request and sent the first group of Salesians to minister to the Italian immigrant community. At the time Italian youths accounted for over 60% of juvenile delinquency in the city.

Over time, youth activities such as athletics, dramatics, and Scouting, in addition to catechetical and educational instruction gave Boys’ a positive direction under the care of those early Salesians. By 1921, an official Boys’ Club was born with a full-time director, Angelo Fusco, under the supervision of Fr. Oreste Trinchieri, SDB. Over the next 100 years, the Club would boast an unbelievable record of accomplishment in developing young boys into community leaders, successful businessmen, devoted Catholic fathers and husbands, and loyal Club benefactors.

Quite a number of Salesian vocations sprang from the Club during the 1930s to 1950s especially. Although an official girls club ran alongside its big brother oratory, the “wandering girls’ oratory” was finally folded into it, and the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club became a reality in 1994. Today the Club has over 600 youth members and is doing the same activities with kids since its founding: athletics, theater, educational support, a safe place for kids to congregate, accompanied by devoted lay ministers, many of whom are former Club kids themselves.

Last year, the club awarded over $250,000 in scholarships to approximately 50 members to assist with grammar, high school, and college tuition assistance. The Salesian Center at Sts. Peter and Paul Church has a lively parish, a grammar school, and oratory (Club) and is deeply rooted in the San Francisco community.

Photos: Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club