Eight new Salesian cooperators inducted; new center formed in Springs

By Katherine Klataska

PHOTO: Eight new Salesian Cooperators from the Diocese of Colorado Springs were inducted into the Association of Salesian Cooperators on May 3 at St. Patrick Parish.  Pictured are (left to right) Margaret Kinney, Sidney Rodriguez, Ernie Rodriquez, Elias Quintero, Naomi Quintero, Maria Force, Katherine Klataska, Michelle Schumacher. (Photo courtesy of Sister Patricia King)

COLORADO SPRINGS. On May 3, the Association of Salesian Cooperators welcomed eight new members from Colorado Springs during a Mass at St. Patrick Parish.  The eight new cooperators are: Maria Force, Margaret Kinney, Katherine Klataska, Elias Quintero, Naomi Quintero, Ernest Rodriguez, Sidney Rodriguez and Michelle Schumacher.

Father Mel Trinidad, Salesians of Don Bosco Provincial for the Western United States, celebrated the Mass of Induction, assisted by Deacon Rudy Gonzalez. During the Mass, the candidates made a promise to live out the Project of Apostolic Life of the Association of Salesian Cooperators in the presence of their formator, Dr. Alex Del Carmen, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters), family, friends and special guests Margaret Ruckstuhl, Katherine Cristelli, Kristie Martinez and Salesian Sister Linda Gonzalez. Once their promise was received by Father Trinidad, the newest members, along with Ruckstuhl, Cristelli and Sister Patricia King, FMA, received a charter for the newly-formed St. Michael the Archangel Salesian Cooperator Center in Colorado Springs.

The Association of Salesian Cooperators is the lay association or third order of the Salesians. It was founded in 1876 by St. John Bosco with the help and approval of Pope Pius IX. St. John Bosco knew that he would need help ministering to young people who came to him, so he enlisted the help of lay people single and married, and diocesan clergy from the communities around him, forming the Cooperators to join with the Salesian priests, brothers and sisters in the mission for the young.

Candidates journey together through two years of Salesian formation, studying about the life of St. John Bosco, learning about his educational and evangelizing methods, and adopting the Madonna, Mary Help of Christians as their mother and guide.

Those interested in learning more about vocations to the Salesian family in general are invited to visit https://donboscowest.org/cooperators and https://donboscowest.org/

A “Come and See” Gathering is scheduled for Oct. 21 at Our Lady of the Snows Convent, 2403 Marlborough Place, Colorado Springs from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for those who would like to meet the Salesian Cooperators in person and learn more about their journey. 

For more information contact Ernie Rodriguez, Local Coordinator at 719-650-5865, or Salesian Sister Patricia King, Local Delegate, at pkingfma@gmail.com.