CANADA: EDMONTON SDBS HAVE NEW DIRECTOR AND NEW CONFRERE

(Edmonton, Alta. – November 28) – The Salesians of Edmonton celebrated the installation of a new director and the arrival of a new member to the community on Monday, November 20. These men and the team with them provide a vibrant youth ministry at several locations in the archdiocese of Edmonton.

Fr. John Louis Mariapragasam, pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church, was installed as the director of the Salesian community of Edmonton. Fr. Dennis Donovan, province treasurer, presided at the community Mass and led the installation ceremony, held in the rectory of St. Thomas More Parish, where Fr. Anthony Rajkumar Fernando is pastor. He warmly welcomed the other Salesians from the area to the parish rectory, where the Mass was celebrated before a crackling fire. The temperature in Edmonton dipped to -18°F during the night!

A new member of the community was warmly welcomed at the end of the Mass. Fr. Samson David Antony will serve as associate pastor at St. Thomas More.

Fr. Sagayaraj Devadoss is the vice director of the community and the associate pastor of St. Thomas More Parish. Fr. John Adaikalaraja serves as the community treasurer and pastor of St. John Bosco Parish, a post once held by the late Fr. Romano Venturelli.

The confreres paid a visit to Fr. Bernard Gilliece, living at the Youville Home in St. Albert, Alta. They also paid their respects to the Salesians buried in the cemetery in Edmonton, Fr. Joseph Hamor, Fr. Mihaly Gombos, and Fr. James Jeffcoat. The evening day ended with a festive dinner at the Salesian residence at Villa St. Joseph.