Thankful to be a Salesian Brother

By Chioma Okoye, Director of Communications, Mary Help of Christians Center, Tampa, FL

Br. David "Dave" Iovacchini, SDB, is a member of the Tampa community. When asked what he is thankful for, Br. Dave remarked, "I’m thankful for a lot of things but mostly my vocation."

Having been raised by the Church after his biological parents gave him and his older brother up, Br. Dave felt cared for, sheltered, and accompanied by those around him. His vocation came about when his eighth-grade teacher pointed out to him that he liked to be in church and would often see him praying. So, she suggested that he consider a vocation to the Brotherhood.

Br. Dave is also thankful for his love of reading and his variety of books. He particularly loves reading about history, which helps him feel connected to the world and all of God’s people.

Br. Dave has always loved all holidays and has fond memories of them. Growing up, he watched shows about cowboys and carries a fondness for these westerns with him to this day.

When he expresses gratitude, Br. Dave tries to be thankful and express his appreciation to others. "I’ve always said prayers of thanksgiving and have tried to say 'thank you' as much as possible," he shared. "As you get older, the way your vocation manifests itself looks different from how it looked in your more active years. However, you get a deeper sense of the spiritual life you are supposed to live. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask questions."