Chicago: Celebrating Fr. Bill Bucciferro's 40th Anniversary

By Fr. Rich Alejunas, SDB

(Chicago, IL – May 22) – The Salesians of Chicago hosted Fr. Bill Bucciferro and his Joliet, IL, family for a community celebration of his 40 years of Salesian priestly ministry. He was ordained in Columbus, OH, on May 21, 1983. Fifteen years later, Fr. Bill was assigned to St. John Bosco Parish in Chicago (est. 1934), where he was its first Salesian pastor from 1998-2007.

An SDB concelebrated bilingual Mass was held on Sunday, May 21. SUE Provincial Council members Fr. Michael Conway and Br. Bill Hanna flew in for the occasion. Fr. Bill presided and preached in English with reflections on the priesthood and the presence of Jesus and Mary in our lives. He was joined at the parish Mass by 20 or so family members. Fr. Rich Alejunas (the local director/pastor) preached in Spanish.

At the parish’s annual outdoor Fiesta Maria Auxiliadora at the St. James Church campus the focus this year was on Fr. Bill and his family, where they danced with the traditional "Chinelos" and feasted on a catered dinner of both Mexican and Italian dishes. Ad multos annos, Fr. Bill!