Twenty Salesians celebrated the anniversaries of their professions and ordinations in Haverstraw, N.Y., in 2020, including a priest who made his profession 70 years ago.
Due to distance, health, and COVID-19 restrictions, only five jubilarians were physically present at the celebration last September. Joining them in celebration and to see them renew their commitments were 49 Salesian priests, brothers, and candidates, and 30 family members and friends.
Among the jubilarians celebrating from afar was Father Rufo “Junji” Zarate, assistant pastor at Our Lady of Good counsel Parish in Surrey, B.C. Father Zarate made his first profession in 1980 and was ordained in 1990. He arrived in Canada in 2014 to serve the Filipino community at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish.
Father Timothy Zak, provincial superior, called the jubilarians “living witnesses” to Salesian ideals. “The jubilarians have found in Christ the happiness for which we were created … they are living memorials of our Lord.”
The New Rochelle Province includes Salesian efforts in eastern U.S. and all of Canada. The Salesians of this province celebrating anniversaries in 2020 were:
Father Jan Bernas of Woodbridge, N.J.: 70 years professed
Brother Gerard Richard of Sherbrooke, Que.: 65 years professed
Father John Blanco of Ramsey, N.J.: 65 years professed
Father Robert Falk of Green Bay, Wis., currently a missionary in Korea: 65 years professed
Father George Hanna of Marrero, La.: 65 years professed
Brother Michael Brinkman of Tampa, Fla.: 60 years professed
Father John Grinsell of Port Chester, N.Y.: 60 years professed
Brother Gerald Meegan of Tampa, Fla.,: 60 years professed
Father Francis Twardzik of Orange, N.J.: 50 years ordained
Father James Cerbone of Ramsey, N.J.: 50 years professed and 40 years ordained
Father Sagayaraj Joseph Devadoss of Edmonton, Alta.: 40 years professed
Father John Louis Mariapragasam of Etobicoke, Ont.: 40 years professed
Father Rufo “Junji” Zarate of Surrey, B.C.: 40 years professed
Father Dennis Hartigan of Tampa, Fla.,: 40 years ordained
Father James McKenna of Haverstraw, N.Y.: 40 years ordained
Father Dominic Tran of New Rochelle, N.Y.: 25 years professed
Father Augustine Baek of New Rochelle, N.Y.: 25 years ordained
Father Richard Rosin of Chicago, Ill.: 25 years ordained
Two chose to be remain unnamed.
With files from Father Michael Mendl.
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