A letter from the Vice Provincial to the Salesian Family:
April 10, 2014
I am writing this only as a substitute for a soon-to-be appointed provincial of our province. The St. Andrew Province, headquartered in San Francisco, is very incomplete without a provincial.
We must begin by congratulating Fr. Tim Ploch for accepting his major responsibility of guiding the Salesians of Don Bosco with all their ministries from Canada to all the countries in North and Central America and the western side of South America as far as Peru.
We, the Salesians and the Salesian Family of California and Texas, have appreciated the leadership of Fr. Tim Ploch during these past five years which has concluded only with the decision of the 27th General Chapter to vote Fr. Tim to the General Council of the entire Salesian Society. Our prayers and best wishes with Fr. Tim in the challenges of his future.
Our new Rector Major, Fr. Angel Fernandez, has invited Fr. Tim to return to California for the Holy Days of next week and to remain for the Province Assembly Days, April 21-25. This is very important for the Salesians of the province because Fr. Tim Ploch has involved us all in a study of the overall direction and focus of the province. Without a provincial to be present, we are relieved that a higher authority, the Regional, Fr. Tim Ploch, will direct our Assembly days.
The wonders of religious life: Our first news was that Fr. Tim would stay with us for the month of May. Now obedience and his role as Regional also include in May, a necessary trip to Venezuela, to Ecuador, and to Guadalajara, Mexico. If we can find a free day in May, we will invite the entire Salesian Family to an event honoring Fr. Tim Ploch.
It is a great honor for us, that our Provincial has been elected to the General Council. We need the Salesian Family to come together and rejoice with us.
Fr. Tim Ploch is our first provincial to be elected to the General Council.
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday with the important days of Holy Week following coming to Easter Sunday. May the Risen Lord bring us to a resurrection even in this life and lead the Assembly Days of the Salesians, April 21-25, 2014.
Sincerely in God’s presence,
Fr. Thomas Prendiville
SDB Vice Provincial
