|
|
From Xaverian NewsJune 2010
The Xaverian Missionaries left St. Therese Parish in Chinatown,
Chicago after decades of service to the multicultural Catholic community there.
Fr. Michael Davitti and Fr. Aniello Salicone completed more than ten years of
ministry there before turning the parish over to the responsibility of the
Archdiocese.
Fr. Salicone shares: “I am grateful to the Lord for having lived in the Parish
of St. Therese, Chinatown, Chicago. I had the opportunity of learning so much of
the Chinese culture. Their practicality, importance of family, priority to a
good education and respect for the elderly are noteworthy. Among the many
Chinese families in Chinatown, few become Catholic if it is against the will of
their family.
I had the opportunity of presenting the Christian faith to many who were not
Christians. The best occasions for this first evangelization were at funerals
and at baptisms. I also have met Italo-Americans here whose ancestors were the
first to establish this parish in the early 20th century. I enjoyed their
popular religiosity like processions with statues through the streets of
Chinatown.
Father Michael and I have known each other since 1962 and in living and working
together in Chinatown we were able to deepen our friendship. He helped me in my
spiritual life.”
Here are some thoughts of Fr. Michael: “As Fr. Aniello and I are getting ready
to leave St. Therese Parish in Chinatown, we are grateful to this community and,
most so to God, for the years we spent together working for God's Kingdom.
It was not an easy task, but very rewarding. I like to consider these years as
the most fruitful of my whole life; it is a kind of “harvest time” when one
realizes that the work and all the sweat served to a purpose.
It is very well known that I consider myself “the Happy Pastor of Chinatown.”
“Happy” not because the situation at St. Therese is perfect, or that the
Parishioners are very dedicated, or that the collections are abundant. “Happy”
because I feel that I am on “holy ground” where God's presence becomes almost
tangible.
Grateful for the much work my predecessors, especially the Xaverians, did with
this church. I feel that “I drank from well that I didn't dig” and “harvested
fields which I didn't sow.” During these years, “the clothes on our shoulders
did not wear out, nor did our feet swell in our sandals.”
I consider myself “the Happy Pastor of Chinatown.” “Happy” because I feel that I am on “holy ground” where God's presence becomes almost tangible.
I always felt I was led by “Somebody” who had a clear plan in His mind and that
I was only a “useless servant.” At times I felt, alongside with tiredness and
discouragements, an inner strength coming from somewhere that gave me the needed
energy. I felt as if there were a spring inside myself, welling up gently,
silently, yet very powerfully, overflowing and reaching out to people.
Looking back at my past life as a priest, a lecturer, a missionary for 12 years
in Africa, 10 years lecturing in the Major Seminaries of Gbarnga (Liberia) and
Parma (Italy), and 11 years at St. Therese, I feel overwhelmed by gratitude,
stupor and awe.
There is an invisible “golden thread” uniting the different events of my life. I
now realize that everything is Providence, everything is Grace, and everything
has been directed and planned for our greater happiness. We are aware that Fr.
Aniello and I are the last ones of a long series of people who may not have the
joy of seeing the results of their sweat and hard work.
Leaving the Parish we leave it with gratitude for the past and great hope for
the future, both yours and ours, because “the fidelity of the Lord is our Hope.”
Keep us in your prayers.
Fr. Aniello is newly assigned as Vice Rector of our community in Milwaukee and
Fr. Michael is in the process of being assigned to the missions. We pray for the
community of St. Therese Parish as they continue their faith journey in the
Archdiocese of Chicago with the cultures that enrich the parish in marvelous
ways.
