Salesian History Wiki
From Salesian History Wiki
Brief History of Salesian Eastern Province, USA 1991 to 2003
Between years 1991 to 1997, the Eastern Province was integrated into the Inter-America region (mostly Spanish speaking), replacing the English-speaking arrangement. Despite this, the province was still very involved with the missionary work in Sierra Leon. Residential buildings were built to house Salesian missioners; before they were living in huts.
During these years, there were great collaborations between the Eastern and Western province. From this collaboration, Fr. Tim Ploch was elected Provincial of both provinces. The joint Novitiate were located in California.
During this time, the province experienced a lowering number of confrères and vocation. Fr. Ploch was challenged to keep confrères faithful to their vows. In this spirit, he began the province-wide Jubilee Celebration for confrères on the jubilee anniversary of their Salesian profession and priesthood ordination; celebrations before were much smaller and localized to each community. As directed in the General Chapter 23, the “C-Day” (Community Day) was instituted throughout the province.
Due to the changing time, the province had to close a few communities and ministries. Financial strains led to the let-go of Dominic Savio High School in Boston, MA and the closure of Don Bosco Multimedia Media Center. Administration of LaSalle High School in Miami, FL was given over to the Salesian Sisters (FMA).
In 1997, the Western Province had the Centennial Celebration of Salesian presence in San Francisco, CA. A year later, Eastern Province celebrated its Centennial Celebration in New York. These two significant celebrations drew attendance of the Rector Major Juan Vecchi and many bishops throughout the U.S.
“Three Mexican Men”
During the Western Province's Centennial celebration in San Franciso in 1997, three Mexican men approached the Rector Major, Fr. Juan Vecchi. They asked for the Salesians to come to Chicago. Father Rector Major referred him to Fr. Tim Ploch, the Provincial. Fr. Tim said the Province do not have men and resources to open in Chicago. The following year, the same three men approached Fr. Pat, now Provincial, about bring Salesians to Chicago. Again, Fr. Pat said the Province does not have men or resource to start work in Chicago. Frustrated, these three men pointed at a picture of Don Bosco in Fr. Pat's office saying, Don Bosco will bring the Salesians to Chicago regardless.
Determined these three men approached the Bishop of their diocese of Chicago. After repeated insistence and petitions from parishioners, the Bishop invited Fr. Pat to Chicago. After the meeting, the Bishop allowed Salesian to be present in Chicago but said that St. John Bosco Parish was not available. After this meeting, there was some confrontations between the Mexican parishioners and the pastor that lead the parishioners to takeover the church. At this point the Bishop of Chicago allowed Salesians to administer the parish. This then become a joint project between the Eastern and Western Province.
This became the fulfillment of a promise that Don Albera had made in 1903 to the Bishop of Chicago; that the Salesians will come to Chicago.
Fr. Pat Angelucci was Provincial of the Eastern Province from 1997 to 2003. During his administration, the province established the new Pre-Novitiate program. Thus Initial Formation consisted of periods of Candidacy, Pre-Novitiate, Novitiate, and Post-Novitiate. There was a renewal in the philosophy of prayer. The “Help us in the varied activities…” prayer is said at each community prayer.
At the time, there were three houses in South Orange, NJ. It was decided that two of these houses be sold off, leaving Self Place as the house of formation. The parish of Our Lady of the Valley in Orange, NJ and, eventually, the convent next door was acquired. Again, the Novitiate was joined with the Western Province and novices were sent to England. After a year, the Novitiate moved to 12th Street, New York City where novices can have a first hand experience of the conditions of poverty.
The Province had made a commitment to Hispanic ministry, thus theology students were sent to Mexico.
The province was in serious financial debt, and Fr. Angelucci initiated a new financial reform. He began establishment of a foundation for the province. Don Bosco Tech of Boston, MA was draining a lot of money and was eventually closed. Don Bosco Tech of Paterson, NJ also suffered the same plight and were closed also. The houses in Ipswich, MA and Harlem, NY were closed.
Despite closures, Fr. Angelucci gave new optimisms to the Province. He revived Dominic Savio High School in Boston by putting Salesians back into the school. The province acquired St. Petersburg Catholic High School from the St. Petersburg Diocese. Two new works began in Tampa, FL: a parish was formed and the construction of St. Philip Residence for retiring confrères. The Cardinal of Washington, D.C. gave Salesians the Nativity Parish. In Birmingham, AL there were good cooperation between SDB and FMA.
In 2002, the Provincial Centennial was celebrated. Each community was given a Centennial Cross.
