Province Celebrates Its 2026 Jubilarians

By Julia St. Clair, Province Communications Director

(New Rochelle, N.Y. – October 21) – On Saturday, October 17, the SUE Province honored this year’s jubilarians with a Mass at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Stony Point, N.Y.

The Mass began at 10:00 a.m. and was celebrated by Provincial Fr. Dominic Tran, SDB. Around 130 people attended this year’s jubilees.

Fr. Dominic spoke about fidelity, mission, and how everyone comes from different countries and is united in one Salesian spirit.

The renewals of priestly commitments followed the homily. Confreres celebrating a jubilee of profession renewed their vows before the final blessing.

In addition to the 13 jubilarians who were honored for their 40, 50, 60, and 70 years of religious profession and/or ordination, two confreres who had 65 years of religious profession were added at the last minute: Fr. Tom Dunne and Fr. George Harkins.

Following Mass, the celebration continued at Town and Country Caterers in nearby Congers with a cocktail hour and lunch. Vice-Provincial Fr. Franco Pinto emceed the reception, which opened with a prayer by Fr. George Harkins. In his prayer, Fr. George expressed deep gratitude to God for all the gifts he and his fellow jubilarians have received from Him over the years.

Afterwards, Fr. Tim Ploch, who is celebrating his own landmark 50 years of ordination, took to the podium to honor his fellow jubilarians. He mentioned how they were blessed with good parents who nurtured their vocations. He also reflected on how they were blessed with ministry and how they touched the lives of thousands of children throughout the years.

A beloved tradition of the SUE Province’s jubilees celebration is when men celebrating their 50th anniversary of religious profession are presented with small statues of Don Bosco. This year, Fr. Bill Bucciferro received a small statue of Don Bosco in honor of his 50th anniversary of profession. Fr. John Serio accepted on behalf of Bro. Alfred Flatoff. A third statue is on its way to Fr. Larry Gilmore, who is serving in Ghana.

A resounding shout-out was reserved for the province's most senior member and beloved “patriarch,” Fr. Enzo Trigatti, SDB. At 98-years-young, Fr. Enzo is celebrating an incredible 70 years as an ordained Salesian priest. Though Fr. Enzo and several other individual jubilarians could not attend in person, their presence was deeply felt as each was recognized by name.

Last, attendees received copies of the fall issue of Don Bosco Insights, which focused on 13 jubilarians who were honored for their 40, 50, 60, and 70 years of religious profession and/or ordination. The magazine scored a big hit, and everyone enjoyed the celebration and shared in the joy.

Explore photos on Flickr from this year’s jubilees, leadership meeting, and formation day.

Author’s note: Although it was previously mentioned that the Mass would be livestreamed by the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, the livestream did not occur.