New Rochelle: Celebrating the Light of St. Dominic Savio

By Julia St. Clair, Province Communications Coordinator

(New Rochelle, NY – May 6) – On Friday, May 6, the Salesian High School (Salesian High) and New Rochelle Community gathered to celebrate the Feast of St. Dominic Savio. Mass took place in the Wiegand Center at Salesian High School at 9:30 am EST. Fr. Steve DeMaio, SDB, presided over the Mass, and Fr. Tom Brennan, Fr. Mike Conway, Fr. Paul Chu, Fr. Jim Heuser, Fr. Mike Mendl, Fr. Dave Moreno, Fr. Tim Ploch, and Fr. Dominic Tran served as concelebrants.

It was truly a beautiful service, where the Salesian High School and New Rochelle Community were reminded that one person cannot do it alone. As Fr. Steve exclaimed during his homily, the Salesian Family grew and continues to grow because of cooperation with God. Dominic Savio lived a short, but impactful life, where he did amazing things because he knew what he was meant for—to be happy and holy.

Don Bosco wanted an environment, a school led by young people that makes it normal to be happy, holy, and to do good to all. Dominic Savio truly embodied this, and, as a shining light, showed how one person can affect many. Fr. Steve shared his experience of this with a teacher who encouraged him to take AP Spanish in high school, which led him to Spain, then later to Zambia, where he first encountered the Salesians. On that fateful trip in Zambia, a Salesian volunteer mentored Fr. Steve and walked alongside him.

The morning also saw Salesian High School teachers and alumni who said “yes!” to being members of the Past Pupils Association acknowledged for continuing Don Bosco’s Salesian mission in the New Rochelle/Lower Westchester area. Salesian High continued the celebrations into the afternoon, with lunch courtesy of the office of youth ministry and SavioMania.