Partners in Giving - Winter 2024

Sr. Mary Rinaldi’s letter

Dear Friends,

A Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! As you know, after 28 dedicated years of serving as Editor of Partners in Giving, Dr. Joe McAleer has stepped down. We thank him again for his faithfulness and generosity.

I am very pleased to introduce to you our new editor —Sr. Christina Chong, FMA. I am sure you will find her to be very capable of continuing the legacy that is Partners in Giving! Prior to becoming a Salesian Sister, Sr. Christina worked in New York City as an editor and graphic designer. She has an undergraduate degree in English and Professional Writing from Carnegie Mellon University and her master’s in communication design from Pratt Institute. But most importantly, she loves Jesus, Mary and the young, giving her life for our mission of evangelization. Please join me in welcoming her on board!

As always thank you for supporting the Sisters and our mission around the country and even around the world. Blessings to you and your loved ones!

Blessings and peace,

PARTNERS IN GIVIN G

is a bimonthly magazine published by the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco 659 Belmont Avenue

North Haledon, NJ 07508

Telephone: (973) 904-0102

Toll-free: (877) OUR-NUNS

E-mail: partners@salesiansisters.org

Website: www.salesiansisters.org

Social Media: https://linktr.ee/salesiansisters

Federal Tax ID: 22-6043753

Save the Date!

Partners Circle Board Meeting

Saturday April 13, 2024

Tampa, FL

Spring Challenge Sweepstake Drawing

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Jubilee Mass and Reception

Sunday July 14, 2024

Editorial Board

Sr. Christina Chong, FMA, Editor

Sr. Mary Rinaldi, FMA, Director of Development

Sr. Brittany Harrison, FMA, Editorial Manager

© 2024 Missionary Society of Salesian Sisters, Inc.

PRIVACY POLICY:

Your name, address, and other information are held in confidence by our ministry and will never be sold, rented, or given to any other organization.

Paying it Forward Christmas Cheer

To jump start the Christmas season, the Salesian Sisters hosted their annual Christmas Party at Mary Help of Christians Academy. On December 10, more than 400 guests gathered for a fun day filled with Christmas spirit - a delicious meal from The Market Basket, shopping at Santa’s workshops, and beautiful baskets. Congratulations to the winners of the Christmas Challenge Sweepstakes: $500 Visa Gift Card, Jorge Rodriguez of Paterson, NJ; $500 Grocery Store Gift Card, Steven Herman of Schaumburg, IL; $500 Amazon Gift Card, Erin Nemec of Oradell, NJ; $500 Target Gift Card, Anne Picone Wells of Rochelle Park, NJ. Thank you to all who supported this amazing event, which raised much needed funds for the school’s Financial Aid Fund.

Steven Herman, who won the $500 grocery gift card, used it to purchase much needed items for a local charity in his area. Steven first became involved with the Salesian Sisters in 1999 when he adopted Sr. Felicia Tanzella for his mom, Frances. Below is an excerpt from a letter written by him to Sr. Mary regarding his generous gifted winnings:

“Here are a few pictures of the Polish home for women and their children who have nowhere to live. The home holds seven girls and the Sisters, Marta and Magda, live in a separate house one street away. The home totally depends on charity. The Polish community does much to help, but the need of support is constant. The girls and the Sisters were so happy to get the supplies. And they love the story we told them about me and the Salesian Sisters and you.”

Steven and Sister Marta

Sister Lise Parent with her adopters, Judy and Chuck Dooley, at the Mary Help of Christians Academy annual Christmas Party.

Salesian Sisters in Naples Complete Half Marathon You Better Believe These Nuns Can Run

Not everyone can run a half marathon. And it’s probably a safe bet that even fewer can do so in a habit. But among runners in the Barron Collier Companies (BCC) Naples Half Marathon held Jan. 14, 2024, who were dressed in tank tops, short running shorts or even shirtless were two consecrated women religious in their in white, longsleeved habits and black athletic shoes.

And they crossed the finish line in two-hours and 21 minutes, with smiles on their faces, cheered by family and students of St. John Neumann High School.

“This is never something I never thought I would ever do,” said Salesian Sister of John Bosco Juliana Alfonso. “This was not on my radar, but it was a beautiful experience. It was awesome how the community supported us. And the students were supportive and happy to see us at the race.”

Sister Nicole Daly is Sister Juliana’s running buddy and fellow half-marathoner. It was not the first big race for the Boston native, but she enjoyed running in her habit for the first time during a race to represent her community.

Sisters Juliana and Nicole are part of the community of Salesian Sisters St. John Bosco, also known as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Sister Juliana, who grew up in Brandon, professed her first vows in August 2023. Sister Nicole, a native of Boston,

professed her first vows a year earlier. The two became running buddies soon after Sister Juliana came to Naples after her profession. They were inspired to train for the half marathon by community members, especially Sister Patricia Roche, who is principal of St. John Neumann. The younger religious serve as theology teachers and house moderators at the Naples Catholic high school.

“There wasn’t a question about wearing the habit while running.”

“Sister Patricia was such a good encouragement for us,” Sister Juliana said, adding especially on days the duo might have skipped training because of other responsibilities.

Their training started in the muggy months of the summer 2023. They would try to run three days a week before morning prayer, which meant getting up before 4:30 a.m. On the weekends, they had more flexibility and could take longer runs.

And did they train in their habits? You better believe it. But not just because they wanted to make sure they could run in this different type of “running gear,” but also because the habits are part of who they are as consecrated religious. As Sister Nicole said, “We don’t go anywhere without our habit.”

“My entire life, every waking moment, is set apart for whatever the Lord wants me to accomplish,” she continued. “Whenever I go to the supermarket, people come up to me with prayer requests. I represent Christ in his church, so all my energy is dedicated to his mission so why wouldn’t I wear what I always wear anyway? There wasn’t a question about wearing the habit while running.”

Sister Nicole Daly on a more typical day - in the classroom of St. John Neumann Catholic High School.

While they worked to increase by a mile each week, life did get in the way—sickness, traveling, school trips. But that didn’t stop them from competing. They were glad they had trained in “swampy” conditions. Yet, during the 13.1 mile run, there were times they hit a running “wall,” where it doesn’t seem like they could go further. Thankfully they had the Lord, family and students on their side.

“When I was starting to hit a wall, our students were there handing out water,” Sister Nicole recalled. “They brought so much energy, and they were cheering us on. They were sharing it with everyone (on social media). They were just being themselves, and when I was hitting a wall, it was exactly the kind of motivation I needed to continue.”

Sister Juliana, who is a running novice, laughed as she recalled when she hit her wall —around mile seven. But she agreed seeing the students gave her a jolt to continue. “The thing that I did not anticipate was the joyful reception we got from most of the other runners. People would smile and yell, ‘Go sister!’ I didn’t know what to expect because I’m a new sister. But I was joyfully received, and I’m happy to be an image of Christ to them.”

The duo, both self-described as late-stage millennials, hope to continue to be running buddies as they live in community together. Sister Juliana had started running with friends while

she was in college at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. At first running served as an outlet for stress release, as well as one for companionship or camaraderie. But as her spiritual journey deepened, so did her reasons for running. “I began praying while I ran, then it helped me to allow my brain to be free to process what’s going on (in my journey),” she recalled. “When my body is occupied and in motion, I can be really reflective and connect with God.”

Sister Nicole embraced the running bug a decade ago after graduating high school. She echoed Sister Juliana’s description of running as a time for contemplation. “When I run, it helps me to pray but specifically to understand the long game of my life,” she said. “It takes me out of my worries—out of myself—and helps me remember where I’m going. Running is always an analogy to me of the race towards heaven. Some parts of life are harder to experience, and you have to push through them. Running is a reminder for me to keep pushing, especially through difficulties in life.”

Story by Jean Gonzalez, Florida Catholic, reprinted with permission.

Sister Nicole, St. John Neumann Catholic High School teacher Mr. Stan Amour, and Sister Juliana run the Naples Half Marathon

Sister Pamela Rose, Sister Jessica, and Sister Juliana on the day of their first vows.

Now more than ever Please Adopt a Sister!

Please consider joining our friends of all faiths who have experienced the transforming power of prayer and loving friendship with a Salesian Sister, every day of the year, through our Adopt a Sister Program

Whether the Adopted Sister is for yourself, a family member, or a friend in need of spiritual strength, you will find comfort knowing that your intentions will be remembered each day by your spiritual prayer partner, and your sacrificial gift will support our elderly Sisters. It makes the PERFECT gift, especially for a wedding, birthday, anniversary, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Easter—any occasion! Simply complete the form below, call us toll-free: (877) OUR-NUNS, or visit www.salesiansisters.org. Thank you, and God bless you!

Master seamstress, Sr. Emilia Kassab, shows off the baby dress she made for a friend of the community who is expecting.

Recalling her 100 years of life, in her own words... Happy Birthday, Sr. Rosalie!

My parents, Leonard and Concetta Di Peri, were married in Sicily, Italy. They settled in Paterson, NJ during the difficult years of the Depression. I was the third child and the first daughter born in the family. Eventually, we were five children in a very happy family, but that happiness did not last long. In 1930, my mom died. What could my father do? A good friend, Ida Steropoli, suggested that he place the girls in good boarding schools so that he could be assured of their future.

My sister Domenica and I were placed under the care of the Salesian Sisters, who ran St. Michael’s Orphanage in North Haledon (the orphanage later became Mary Help of Christians Academy). Neither my

“My years of service to the young people in five different states fulfilled my every desire to do God’s will.”

sister nor I had much to say. I was five years old and Domenica was three. Everything was fine with us as long as our father promised to visit, and that he did.

From that eventful day, I became a permanent part of Mary Help of Christians, not only the school, but Our Lady’s Salesian family, as well. We were well loved by the Sisters who felt that, because we lost our mother, we were entitled to special care.

As the years went by, I inevitably had to think of my future life. I thought of my dad. I was his favorite and it must have been difficult for him to give me his permission when I told him that I wanted to be a Salesian Sister. He said, “Remember, if you ever want to come home, I’ll be there.”

My years of service to the young people in five different states fulfilled my every desire to do God’s will. The best years of my life were spent at Mary Help of Christians Academy, first as dean of residents, then as principal. The musical extravaganzas were something I will always cherish.

“Ask the master to send out laborers for his harvest...”

Rosary FOR VOCATIONS

Who: Family, friends, and supporters—about 50-100 participants each month.

What: A “good night” thought followed by the rosary, a total of 30 minutes

When: The last Sunday of every month at 7:30pm EST

Where: Online via Zoom

How: Be part of the email list by contacting Sister Elfie at happynun@gmail.com

The Salesian Family Connects and Prays

We first heard about the Salesian monthly rosary for vocations from our daughter, Sister Anne Weis, FMA. She let us know that Sister Elfie Del Rosario, FMA had organized a monthly Zoom call to pray the rosary for religious vocations. We’ve really enjoyed being able to pray in community with the Sisters and see all the Sisters from the different locations around the country on the call. We are now on Sister Elfie’s email mailing list, so we receive a monthly reminder with the link for the Zoom call. We are happy to see the number of participants grow and grow with each month.

One of our favorite memories of praying the rosary with the Salesians was May of last year. Sr. Anne was home for her annual visit, and we were returning from Kansas City where we’d gone to celebrate the ordination to the priesthood of a friend of hers. She had connected us to the Zoom call and as we travelled down highway I-70 we would go in and out of cell reception and the video would freeze. We would continue to pray and when the connection resumed, we had to try and determine whether we were a little ahead or a little behind the group!

Later that year we had the opportunity to lead the monthly rosary with Sister Anne. We made sure we had a good internet connection for that one!

We’ve also had a wonderful opportunity to see the Salesian efforts to encourage and develop religious vocations firsthand. The past two years the SEEK Conference, which is a gathering of thousands of college students for a time of prayer, reflection, fellowship, engaging talks, and a chance to encounter Jesus Christ in a life-changing way, was held in St. Louis. It is also a chance for those that are potentially discerning a call to religious life to connect with dozens of different religious orders and learn more about their charisms. We were honored to host some of the Salesian Sisters while they were here for the conference.

We encourage everyone to continue to pray for religious vocations and especially to join with the Salesian family the last Sunday of the month to pray the rosary that our country, and the Salesians, may be blessed with more young people who have heard and answered God’s call in their lives. We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

Jim & Cathy Weis

The Salesian Sisters Partners Circle was founded in 1991 to provide unrestricted funds for urgent needs of the Salesian Sisters and their mission. These include support for capital needs, scholarship assistance, technology upgrades, and funds for those unforeseen situations that require immediate attention. Your annual contribution to this fund empowers the Sisters to continue their mission: To Provide Financial Assistance and Volunteer Services to the Salesian Sisters and to the Young People in their Care for the Advancement of Education, Vocations, and Community Life.

33nd 33nd

The fire which destroyed St. Joseph Chapel in North Haledon, NJ, in 2018 underscored the vital importance of the Partners Circle Fund, enabling the Sisters to respond quickly in an emergency and begin the rebuilding process—now complete!

There are eight levels of membership, starting at $250, which are listed on these four pages. PC denotes a member of the Partners Circle National Board of Trustees, a group of talented lay people who advise the Sisters on distribution of the fund. Won’t you consider joining this dynamic group in our 33rd year? Please call us today: (877) OUR-NUNS. Thank you and God bless you!

The Joseph J. McAleer, Sr.

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Welcome

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Welcome new or upgraded members in Red!

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National Board of Trustees.

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Please “Give Us This Day”! Our exchange of love

Do you have a happy occasion you would like to share? The Salesian Sisters will celebrate with you. Is it a time to mark a less-than-happy occasion? Our prayer for your special day will commemorate this event in your life.

Do you have someone to thank? All of us will help multiply this gratitude to that special person. Is there a special person or event to bring to the attention of your friends?

Then please “Give Us This Day”! Any event, person, or situation that merits special attention will be posted outside our chapel (at left) in our retirement home, the St. Joseph Provincial Center. The Sisters will pray for that intention and for the person who requests prayers for the day, and whose sacrificial gift supports the endowment for our retired Sisters.

Let this gift of time be an expression of our concern and love for one another. Know that you are special to us. Our prayers rise daily for you and your dear ones. Thank you, and God bless you!

Give Us This Day

Please give us this day/these days in 2024 in honor of my special request(s):

Please detach and mail this form in the enclosed envelope.

Thank you!

Dear Friends & Family: A message from Sister Colleen Choosing faith, hope and love

The last time I wrote, we completed a brief reflection on each of the theological virtues: faith, hope, and love. These virtues form the basis for all life in the Spirit, because they are the virtues given to us at Baptism. St. Paul often refers to the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love in his letters. Faith, hope, and love sum up the responsibilities of a human in relation to God. We have and live these three theological virtues in our friendship with Jesus and our identity as God’s beloved children.

Some of the Sisters will connect the theological virtues with the three vows the Sisters make. We can see how the virtue of faith is connected to obedience, trusting that God speaks to us through our superiors. The virtue of hope is the basis for our vow of poverty, trusting that God will provide everything we need. And charity, or love for God and others, allows us to give our hearts to God in the vow of chastity, so that in belonging fully to Him, we are free to reach out to those young people most in need.

When I was a student at Mary Help of Christians Academy, I remember learning so many things about

our faith. The Salesian Sisters taught us about God, but in a way that really set our hearts aflame. There was an incredible sense of love for God, and striving to belong fully to Him. This is not to say the Sisters, much less we, were perfect—says the student who was once even suspended from school—but to say that there was, in our Sisters, a deep and ardent love for God that sometimes almost appeared palpable. We could almost touch their love for God as we heard them talk about Him.

I can specifically recall one lesson with Sr. Monique Huart. We were learning about the human soul, and about how animals and plants, though not given an immortal soul, have a soul; theirs is not a rational, thinking soul. Sr. Monique then pointed out that animals, because they don’t have free will, cannot offend God. They do not choose to do good or evil. The bird sings because it’s in the nature of a bird to sing. Grass grows because that is within the nature of the grass. Animals and plants are not living out their day thinking, “I’m a dog; but should I bark?” They do so—and by doing so, they give glory to God. This is the status of these beings, and I remember being a little jealous of how simple their lives are!

The desire of the human heart to do what God wills, and fulfill His plans without having to discern His will or decide if what I’m doing is right is pretty tempting, isn’t it? Well, in fact, by choosing to live in faith, hope and love, we can be sure that we are within His will; we are doing exactly what the Lord has set out for us, learning each day to love Him a little more.

I hope this month finds you and me growing in these theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. Then, next time, we will begin to delve into the cardinal virtues.

I leave you in the heart and hands of our Lady,

— Sr. Colleen Clair, FMA, is the Superior of the Province of St. Joseph

Sister Monique Huart and Sister Colleen Clair from the 1986 Mary Help of Christians Academy yearbook

A Love That Lasts Forever

You can honor a cherished relative or friend with an everlasting gift of love – a memorial.

Our Partners in Giving Memorials & Tributes give you the opportunity to comfort those who have lost a loved one or to commemorate a special occasion.

This gift lives forever, joining our loved ones to the prayers of the Salesian Sisters while supporting their good works.

The name of your loved one will appear in our Partners in Giving magazine – a priceless gift to those you love.

Give the gift that lasts forever.

Enclosed is my Memorial/Tribute Gift of:

____ $25 ____ $20 ____$15 $

Memorial for

Tribute for Occasion

Name – DECEASED

Name – LIVING

Please send an acknowledgement to:

Name

Address

My Name

Address

Detach & mail in the enclosed envelope.

Please make checks payable to SALESIAN SISTERS

Memorials

Received between December 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024

John Connors

Ms. Barbara Stack

James DeLuna

Ms. Carol Kasper

Santo DeLuna

Ms. Carol Kasper

Leo Escudero

Mrs. Janet Escudero

Laura Esposito

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Gillet

Ms. Sheila Rao and Mr. Tommy McArdle

Natalie Gutowski

Ms. Marjorie Barcenas

Mr. and Mrs. Diaz-Garcias

Ms. Lorraine Easton

Mr. and Mrs. John Pellegrinos

Marie Hess

Mr. and Mrs. John Berish

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Kaufman

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Murphy

Mr. Heer Patel

Mr. and Mrs. James J. D’Antonio

Charles Minervino

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Matten

Sr. Catherine Novo, FMA

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Berdela

Diane Palazzone

Ms. Marie Palazzone

Sr. Louise Passero

Mrs. Loretta W. O’Neill

Sr. Luella Ramm, OP

Ms. Karen Zaretski

Sr. Leitizia Sampo

Mr. Joseph P. Saline, Jr.

Robert J. Schaublin

Mrs. Elaine Schaublin-Allen

Sr. Mary Schuchert, FMA

Ms. Beatrice Velez

Pamela Schuler

Mrs. Arlene Adahl

Karen Spickofsky

Ms. Kim Spickofsky

Dorothy Tomaszewski

Mr. Allen Tomaszewski

Peter Tumamian

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph DeVita

Tributes

Received between Dec. 5, 2023 and Feb. 12, 2024

Sr. Rosalie Di Peri, FMA on her 100th Birthday

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barber

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cammarota

Mr. Joseph Lupo

Ms. Jessica Lupo

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lupo

Mrs. Ann Marie Forster

Sr. April Hoffman

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney B. Reel

On the Journey with Sister B Be Still...Maybe

Too fast. This year is already going by too fast for my taste. I was counting the days from now until the start of Lent, which may be when you’re reading this, and it’s just arriving too quickly. Why does life seem to move into warp speed once we pass thirty? Is that what it means to be “over the hill”? Instead of slowly trudging upwards, we are now rolling down, hitting trees and rocks as we go? Is that why things start aching?

I recently updated my Facebook cover photo—the one that appears at the top of your profile to say two words: Be Still. The words are from Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”, but what does that mean? How does one become “still”? Most days I feel I am on a tilt-a-whirl or speeding in the express lane of life. I think the answer lies in pausing.

and try to pay attention to the act of praying, I feel gratitude for my meal, the people who prepared it, and those who cultivated the food. This gratitude allows me to enjoy my meal more, since prayer brings awareness, directs my intention about eating, and slows me down.

Another pause can be found if we pray when we wake up and go to sleep. I heard someone say once that for some people their morning prayer is as simple as, “Good morning, God!” and for others it’s, “Good God, it’s morning!” Whether we greet the day with joy or grumpiness (I am the grumpy type), we can make our first act of the day a pause by making the Sign of the Cross when our eyes open, before we look at our phone and let the thousand concerns of the day flood our awareness.

“Spirituality and prayer do not need to be complicated or long to be meaningful and transformative.”

I know I’ve written on similar themes before, like practicing the pause to avoid being reactive, making time for Sabbath experiences, but what if we don’t feel like we can afford a whole “experience”? What if we feel a bit overwhelmed by life and even the thought of planning one more thing makes us want to scream? Can we at least observe a Sabbath moment, a Sabbath pause? I think we can.

In our Catholic tradition, there are numerous prayers that serve as a “pause” in the day. If we pray the Angelus, a prayer honoring the Incarnation of Jesus and Mary’s “yes” to God, we pause and pray it three times a day. At Mary Help of Christians Academy, the entire campus stops close to noon to pray it together. It’s a pause; it gives us a chance to breathe. If we pray before we eat, it is a pause meant to bring awareness and gratitude. Some of us just inhale our meals and barely taste what we are eating because we feel so pressured, but I found that when I pray before I eat

The pause upon awakening may transition into a brief prayer for whatever we anticipate happening that day, or for the people we just dreamt about. The pause creates a space for connection with God to grow. We can do a similar act at night, once we lay down in bed, or as we are brushing our teeth. Spirituality and prayer do not need to be complicated or long to be meaningful and transformative; we simply need to begin with the pause and with time it will grow, nurtured by our intention and desire to connect with God.

Although we are nearing the third month of the year, perhaps we can strive to be a little more “still” this Lent and add intentional pauses to our day. Whether its memorized prayers, a moment of reflective silence, or words from the heart, they can all serve as the seed for a more robust and fruitful spiritual life and that possibility, my friends, gives me pause.

– Sr. Brittany Harrison, FMA

A Member of the Salesian Family for five decades

Serving as a District Court Judge

On January 16th, Honorable Madeleine

Petrara-Perrin Alum was sworn in as Nassau County District Court Judge. Madeleine has been part of the Salesian Family for 50 years! She started as a camper at Camp Auxilium and then became a counselor. She did not stop there as she is now a Board of Trustee Member of Partners Circle. She has dedicated her life to serving the community as an attorney dedicated to equal justice and has partnered with various organizations to assist young people and the disenfranchised. Her appointment as a judge is a new phase in her life of community service. Congratulations Madeleine on an amazing achievement!

Spreading the Gospel through Communications

Sister Louise Passero, FMA Enters Her Eternal Reward

Sister Louise Passero was a Salesian Sister for 67 years. She was born in 1935 in Samford, CT, as one of three sisters. Sister Louise shared, “I have always been particularly happy to have been born in the month of Mary. I had the joy of being born into a family of hard-working, honest and simple people. My mother taught me from an early age to be a generous person. As a teenager I was very active in the Marian Association in the parish. Mary has always had a special place in my life, particularly in the most difficult moments.”

She first met the Salesian Sisters as a first grader at St. Michael’s School in Paterson, NJ. She was impressed with the love the Sisters had for each other and their generosity towards the young people in their care. After she joined the Salesian Sisters, she served in various roles as a teacher, catechist, principal, and translator in Mary Help of Christians

Academy in North Haledon, NJ and Immaculate Conception High School in Marrero, LA.

In 1986 she was sent to the Generalate of the Salesian Sisters in Rome to begin her work in media ministry. She returned to Port Chester, NY a year later and worked at Don Bosco Multimedia. Over the next

“Mary has always had a special place in my life, particularly in the most difficult moments.”

few years she served as principal of St. Stephen grammar school in Paterson, NJ, eventually joining the community of the Provincial House in Haledon, NJ, where she dedicated herself to being the province’s media consultant and translating important documents and resources for the English speaking provinces.

Sr. Louise was a tireless and generous worker, who applied her strong will to accomplishing many difficult tasks for the love of her Salesian Sisters. We pray for her eternal repose and thank her for the faithful witness of her life.

Sr. Louise engaged with students in 1967

SALESIAN SCHOOLS !

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL, Columbus, OH Sister Guerline Joseph and Sister Monique Huart served as chaperones on a recent Junior Service Retreat for St. Francis de Sales High School in Columbus, OH. During this retreat experience, students got a taste of serving and loving others as Christ loves us. They reflected on the Christian purpose of doing good works and volunteered their time and talents at several local charitable organizations. Pictured are students with Sister Guerline at The Heinzerling Community, which serves children and adults with developmental disabilities. During their visit they brightened the day for many residents by spending quality time doing art projects and playing games.

MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS ACADEMY, North Haledon, NJ Members of MHC Academy’s campus ministry, with Sister Pamela Rose Suresca, gave out toys and clothes raised by the school for the Father English Center in Paterson, NJ. Over 400 families benefited and despite the cold weather, the hours spent outside were filled with warm hearts and Christmas cheer!

Senior Caitlin Farley and junior Emily Dymkowski, along with theology teacher Sr. Christina Chong (not pictured), were guests on the podcast of the Bishop of Paterson, NJ “Beyond the Beacon” to talk about teenagers and social media. They discussed which social media apps they use and what they see as the positives and negatives of these networks.

Salesian School Alumni Spotlight From High School Lab to the NYPD Lab

Megan Carlson has a career you sometimes see on television shows. As a drug laboratory analyst for over 10 years with the New York City Police Department Police Laboratory, she applies the love of science that she cultivated while a student at Mary Help of Christians Academy from 2004-2008 to her everyday work. A native of Fair Lawn, NJ, Meghan now lives in New York City with her husband Chris and two sons, Lucas and Andrew.

Her daily work in the lab is vital for the prosecution of crime. “I analyze evidence submitted to the lab following the current procedures and protocols, write lab reports based on the results of my analysis and testify as an expert witness in cases. Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved science. I enjoyed doing my own science experiments and would also watch crime scene shows any chance I could. Attending Mary Help of Christians Academy gave me the validation I needed. I gravitated to the sciences, and after taking both Biology and Chemistry, there was no doubt I wanted to be in a laboratory environment.” Learning from Mr. Gary Gratto, the chemistry teacher during her time at the Academy, was an inspiration and encouragement for her. She graduated in 2008.

“I genuinely love what I do and it’s such an honor to make a difference within the criminal justice system.”

Megan was accepted to the University of New Haven and connected with nationally-known mentors in the forensic science field. She shares, “As I got older, my love and passion for Forensic Science only grew, and I was blessed to attend the University of New Haven, with Forensics as my major. I had the opportunity to have nationally-known Forensic Scientists as my professors and learned so much from my mentors. I genuinely love what I do and it’s such an honor to make a difference within the criminal justice system.”

A woman of faith, Megan brings the faith formation she received at Mary Help of Christians Academy and from her family into her work and life as a wife and mother, “My faith has always been an important part of my life, and even more so as a mom. My job can be very stressful, and I find when listening to contemporary Christian music, I’m calmer and able to focus more on my work.”

She encourages anyone interested in the forensic science field to, “Simply just go for it! Gain any experience you can, and don’t be intimidated by the competitiveness within the field. You can do anything when you set your mind to it, just like I did.”

Megan’s sophomore year photo in the 2006 MHC Academy yearbook

Megan working with a GC/MS (Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer)— used during casework in drug analysis to identify the components in a mixture.

VILLA MADONNA SCHOOL, Tampa, FL Students gather outside the front of the school to help decorate the life-sized Nativity. Decked out in their Christmas attire, they stop to say a prayer and pause for a picture.

Villa students are all smiles to meet the Sisters on the Provincial Council who were in Florida for a visit.

IMMACULATA-LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL, Miami, FL In a heartwarming display of unity and joy, the entire ILS family came together to commemorate the feast of Don Bosco. Inspired by the profound teachings of this visionary figure, the students embraced the transformative Oratory Model, which encompasses the pillars of Home, School, Church, and Playground. The celebration was a testament to the enduring legacy of Don Bosco here in Miami!

Provincial of the Salesian Province of Canada and Eastern US, Fr. Dominic Tran, SDB celebrates mass for the ILS community.

ILS celebrated the grand opening of a state-of-the-art Athletics Facilities with a ribbon cutting event. Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski was present to bless the new training spaces. ILS thanks all those who played a pivotal role in bringing this visionary project to life.

Sister Katie Flanagan spending time with students on Don Bosco’s Feast Day.

ST. THERESA SCHOOL, Kenilworth, NJ St.

Theresa’s celebrated Catholic Schools Week with an assortment of activities! There was mass, a service project collecting essential items for the New Jersey Veterans Network, “Buddy Day” with upper grades teaming up with lower grades and Bosco Bingo. The week ended with a movie, snack and lots of wonderful memories!

Sister Jessica Castillo plays card games with students after school.

Sister Molly Heine helps a student ice a cupcake.

Sister Isabel Garza helps to animate Bingo.

ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL, Hawthorne, NJ The Three Kings visited St. Anthony’s! Preschoolers Danny Ramirez, Alex Chritis, and Jubelle Ramos reenacted the Epiphany bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Hawthorne Mayor John V. Lane declared January 24, 2024 “Centennial Day” in honor of the school building’s 100th birthday! He presented Sister Mary Jackson, principal, with a plaque alongside Rev. Msgr. Raymond Kupke, pastor.

Fourth grader Alexander Ebneter earned an honorable mention in the Passaic County Poster Contest for his portrayal of the Paterson Falls.

Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco

Province of St. Joseph of the Eastern U.S. & Canada

Sisters, Brothers, Priests, Salesian Lay Missionaries, collaborators, and past pupils - gathered at the SEEK Conference in St. Louis, MO in early January. In honor of the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco’s dream at nine, young people who stopped at the Salesian booth were invited to write their dreams on the Saleisan banner.