Rev. Dr. Adaikala Raja, SDB, Installed as Etobiboke’s Director

By Rosina Di Felice, Salesian Cooperator

(Etobicoke, Ont. – July 15) – On Saturday, July 11, Rev. Dr. Adaikala Raja, SDB, was officially installed as the new Salesian director of the Etobicoke community.

The installation was led by Fr. Dominic Tran, SDB, provincial of the St. Philip the Apostle Province (Canada and Eastern USA). The Mass was concelebrated by Frs. John Puntino and Steve DeMaio, SDBs, along with visiting Salesians: Fr. Peter Jacko, SDB, provincial of the Mary Help of Christians Province (Slovakia), and Fr. Susith Milroy, SDB, a philosophy professor at Salesian Pontifical University in Rome who is doing doctoral research in Toronto.

The joyous occasion coincided with the feast day of St. Benedict Parish’s patron saint, known for his motto “Ora et Labora,” which is Latin for “Pray and Work.”

During the ceremony, gratitude was also expressed to Fr. John Puntino, who led the community as director for the past three years.

After the Eucharistic celebration, everyone gathered for family fellowship, which included a barbecue prepared by the Knights of Columbus, as well as games and activities, such as karaoke. All proceeds from the evening supported St. Benedict Parish's SummerDaze Camp.