(ANS – Rosemead) – On Saturday 8 October, members of the Salesian Family in the Western United States Province took part in the Province Marian Day Celebration at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Rosemead. There had been months of preparations by the Salesian Famly Commission under the guidance of Fr. Chris Woerz SDB.

Over three hundred people of all ages participated in the Province Marian Day which focused on “Celebrating Mary’s Yes to God.” Our Salesian devotion to Mary was expressed in the first movement of the day, a rosary procession remembering the life of Jesus and Mary’s role in it followed by our own act of entrustment of the Salesian Family to Mary Help of Christians.  Leading this prayer were representatives of the three Salesian Family branches that Don Bosco himself founded: Fr. Tim Ploch, SDB Provincial, Sr. Patricia King, FMA Provincial, and Diane De LaTorre, Provincial Coordinator of Cooperators.

The day continued with a keynote talk from Sr. Mary Greenan, FMA, who reflected on Mary’s presence at the wedding feast of Cana and in the Church of today, reminding us as followers of Christ to “do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:5)  Young people of the Salesian Youth Movement then provided a captivating musical play demonstrating the possibility everyone has to become saints, just as Laura Vicuna, Dominic Savio and others have done through friendship with Jesus and Mary. 

After Lunchtime which included a great barbeque enjoyed as a family surrounded by music, exhibits provided by Salesian Family organizations and Province Offices, as well as family games, in the afternoon, to deepen participants’ understanding of the role of Mary in the life of the Church, Don Bosco and the Salesian family, there were thirteen workshops from which to choose in two rounds of sessions. Representatives from Salesian Family organizations offered the presentations with insights from their personal and collective devotion to her.  There were sessions offered in English, Spanish and Chinese. 

The family spirit of the day was fully expressed in the closing celebration of the Eucharist, at which the Provincial Fr. Tim Ploch presided, with liturgical music, led by a Vietnamese choir and children from St. Dominic Savio Church. 

Published 14/10/2011