East Boston: Sports and St. Joseph

By Br. Bob Metell, SDB

(East Boston, MA – May 1) – Holy smokes! April is gone already, and summer camp is right around the corner! Where has all the time gone?

What do the Bruins, Revolution, Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and the Salesian Boys and Girls Club have in common? Sports! It’s no big secret that Boston is a huge sports town, with professional and collegiate sports teams, as well as high school sports and community leagues. Sports and athletic competitions are an integral part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's three core programming themes. The other two are education and spiritual/social development.

Sports and recreational development have always played a crucial role in the Salesian Boys and Girls Club. They are more than simply building up physically healthy youngsters. Sports can build character, competitiveness, and leadership skills, along with healthy eating and lifestyles. They also provide opportunities to build bonds of lasting friendships and a sense of belonging.

The club now has basketball and soccer teams that play in leagues against other Boys and Girls Clubs from around the Greater Boston Metro area. These leagues provide opportunities for club members to compete and meet club members like themselves from other communities.

Wednesday, May 1, was the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. We honor St. Joseph for more than being a good father and provider for Jesus and Mary. St. Joseph raises the honor and dignity of the countless individuals who work to support their families and communities. The first brothers I met who got me interested in the brotherhood were the Franciscan brothers, who fed and cared for the homeless around Boston. The first Salesians I met were the brothers at Don Bosco Technical High School in Boston. Don Bosco placed the Salesian brothers under the protection of St. Joseph the Worker and made him the model for all the Salesian brothers. In Don Bosco’s time, and now around the world, brothers were tradesmen and taught in trade or agricultural schools. Other brothers teach in classrooms and work in parishes, youth centers, or Boys and Girls Clubs, as I have for over 20 years. I love to speak about the Salesian brotherhood, something I love, and I am incredibly happy I chose to be one.