Photos except the last, by Bro. Travis
Gunther, SDB (using your humble blogger’s camera)
Unless
you’re dealing with Earth’s geology or with astrophysics, 855 years is a lot of
years (even if it doesn’t quite catch up with the reported ages of the biblical
patriarchs).
855
is the total number of years that the New Rochelle Province celebrated on
September 8 as it honored 17 jubilarians and thanked God for their years of
ministry, primarily in our province. They included priests celebrating
anniversaries of ordination and/or religious profession and Bro. Sal Sammarco,
celebrating the 50th anniversary of his profession.
Led
by Fr. Tim Zak (left), the six priestly jubilarians renewed their commitment
after the homily. L-R: Frs. Steve Dumais, Ken Shaw, John Puntino, Mike Mendl,
Jim Berning, and Samson Anthony. |
The
other 16 jubilarians were Fr. John Masiello, 70 years professed and 60 years
ordained; Fr. Sid Figlia, 60 years professed and 50 ordained; Fr. Jan Bernas,
60 years professed; Fr. John Puntino, 50 years professed and 40 ordained; Fr.
Ken Rodes, 50 years professed; Frs. Rich Crager and Jim Mulloy, 40 years
professed; Frs. Steve Dumais, Jack Janko, Mike Mendl, and Ken Shaw, 40 years
ordained; Fr. Tom Provenzano, 25 years professed; and Frs. Samson Anthony, Jim
Berning, Alain Leonard, and Eric Wyckoff, 25 years ordained.
Only
ten of the jubilarians were able to be present for the celebration at the
Marian Shrine in Haverstraw, N.Y.—the other seven constrained by poor health,
distance, or pastoral responsibility—or, in Fr. Alain’s case, helping to host
the Rector Major in Montreal.
Priest
celebrants and other sacred ministers at the altar for the Eucharistic Prayer. |
Following
an assembly of Salesian Family
members earlier in the morning, the jubilees celebration attracted a large
crowd of Salesians, Salesian Sisters, Salesian Cooperators, Salesian Lay Missioners,
ADMA, Don Bosco Volunteers,
students from Salesian schools, parishioners from Salesian parishes, alumni, and
relatives and other friends of the jubilarians, nearly filling the Shrine
chapel for Mass and quite filling the pavilion after Mass for a buffet lunch.
Fr. Tim Zak (left) leads the profession
jubilarians in a renewal of their vows. L-R: Frs. Rich Crager, John Puntino,
Tom Provenzano, and Jim Mulloy, and Bro. Sal Sammarco. |
Bro. Sal Sammarco read the Mass’s first
Scripture passage, Romans 8:28-30. |
Repeating,
he said that “all works for the good for those who love God and work for him.”
This becomes true in Salesian lives, which we can see if we look back
reflectively and see where we tried to integrate into our lives what God has
sent to us. And so “we trust him for the future.”
Finally,
Fr. Tim applied that lesson to the lives of the 17 jubilarians and paid credit
to their faithfulness.
During
the Mass the priests present who were celebrating 25th and 40th anniversaries
renewed their priestly commitment, and the confreres celebrating 25th, 40th,
and 50th anniversaries of profession renewed their vows.
Fr. Puntino thanked God and others for
the
vocations of the priest jubilarians.
|
Music
was provided by staff and students from Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J.
Photos: https://pix.sfly.com/4iXtrb
Photos: https://pix.sfly.com/4iXtrb
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