Fr. John has been associated in a variety of responsibilities at the Salesian Boys Girls Club in the past 35 years, more recently as Executive Director for the past 11 years.
Fr. John expressed his deep filled gratitude for the young people and the business community who have supported the club. “I have received much more than I have given to the community of East Boston and its surrounding areas,” Fr. John Said. Fr. John expressed his appreciation to God for not only allowing him to be a youth leader in the Community but also as Salesian Priest who has ministered to this community through Baptisms, marriages, reconciliation, counseling and unfortunately many funerals. “I love this community and I truly love being a Priest. If I was not a Salesian I would never have had the opportunity to work with young people over these past 35 years. East Boston is my home and I will miss a lot of the wonderful people I have worked with as well as a lot of my old friends.”
Fr. John grew up on Falcon Street and has great memories of the Presto, Mario, Baglio, Scalifani and the DiMarco families who made Eastie special to grow up in. As kids we were a band of brothers hanging out, playing sports and memories that have lasted a life time.
As a young person going to the Salesian Boys & Girls Club and Dom Savio High School I fell in love with the Salesian Spirit and the traditions of its founder, St. John Bosco. As a boy a Salesian Brother gave me a book “Wolves to Lambs, it was about how St. John Bosco changed young people from wolves to lambs by being kind to them and giving them a safe place to play. Once I finished that book I was ready to save the world. Over the years even though its not been easy I feel we have changed a lot of young people’s lives at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club. Legends like Fr. Sid, Fr. Bob, Dave Ferrara and Wally Bowe just to name a few had a tremendous impact on my life.
Fr. Tim Zak has expressed his commitment to the community of East Boston by committing 5 Salesians to live at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club.
This past January Fr. John announced that the Salesian Boys & Girls Club’s Board of Trustees appointed a new Executive Director, Mr. Michael Triant. Since January Fr. John and Mike have been working on a smooth transition for the young people, staff and the community. “Mike is ready and able to take over the reigns as leader of our Salesian Boys & Girls Club as well as keep some of our great traditions but also bringing some fresh new ideas. He knows the Salesian Spirit and with the help of our community the Salesian Boys & Girls Club will continue to help thousands of young people in the future, Fr. John said.”
“I would like to thank everyone who has been so supportive of the Salesian Boys & Girls Club, the Salesian Community and to me personally. I leave East Boston a very rich man. Not monetarily but because I have met so many wonderful people who have Graced me by their presence.”
“Our job in helping young people will never be done. Transitioning young people from Wolves to Lambs still is a challenge and we need your help. I am truly grateful to my Earthly family, my Salesian Family and my Salesian Boys & Girls Club family. I am so Blessed these years to be able to come home and experience a little bit of heaven in my life. If there is any gift people would like to give me or an expression of thanksgiving please continue to support the Salesian Boys & Girls Club.”
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