What are your impressions about being pastor of the oldest Salesian foundation in the United States?
Fr. David: First of all, when I was asked to go to a parish, I wasn’t immediately awestruck or intimidated. I was uncertain about how I would go about the task after thirty years of working in Salesian schools. Was it smart to go from a familiar and “safe” situation into a new form of apostolate? After all, while I was at the schools I had worked in parishes on the weekends. So, I did have an idea of what parish life was all about. Yet the feeling I have is more one of irony. Here I am, a “school man” become a new pastor precisely when the centennial year is celebrated. It’s ironic that never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be at Sts. Peter and Paul let alone pastor during this special milestone in Salesian history and the history of North Beach. I have wondered what my mother and father would have thought. They obviously would have been very proud of me and honored. I can easily say that it is an enjoyable assignment. The people have been most welcoming, friendly. The
