RAMSEY: FR. TIM PLOCH MAKES EXTRAORDINARY VISITATION TO DON BOSCO PREP

Story and photo by Jennifer Passerino

(Ramsey, N.J. – April 2) – Fr. Timothy Ploch, SDB, general councilor for the Interamerica Region, visited Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey from March 24 to 29, as part of his extraordinary visitation of the New Rochelle Province on behalf of the Rector Major.

Fr. Tim examined the life and work of the Salesian community, including the school. He interacted with the Prep student body by attending lunch in the Savio Hall cafeteria, walking around campus, and addressing the community in two morning broadcasts. He also took part in meetings with the administrative team and the board of trustees. He attended DBP’s spring musical, Tarzan, celebrated morning Mass in the school’s Sacred Heart Chapel, and shared a dinner with student missionaries who took part in the Puerto Rico and Belle Glade mission trips.

“Having Fr. Tim here was a homecoming, of sorts, for he served as principal of Don Bosco Prep from 1981 to 1985,” said Fr. James Heuser, director, on Fr. Tim’s visit. “In fact, two days before arriving, Fr. Tim was able to meet up with some alumni from his years here, and he also prepared a message for the Class of 1984 alumni who were holding their 35-year reunion a few days after he left. While among us, Fr. Tim was most encouraging, as he affirmed all the ways our service of the young has robustly created a Salesian home, school, church, and playground. And he gave indications for the future, urging us to continue in the ongoing educative transformation of the young in a Salesian style.”