On Saturday 16th August 2008, Don Bosco's Birthday, Alexander (Sandy) Fairley made his first profession in the Chapel of Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton. He is the first in our province for many years to answer the call to the vocation of Salesian Brother.

Sandy reads the words of profession. Br Claudio is in the foreground.

Brother Sandy has already worked as a volunteer with the Salesian Sisters in the Lake District and with the Salesians in Bollington and Bootle. He made his novitiate at Port Chester, New York, with three other novices from North America.

Sandy with his father and mother

The Profession Mass, led by Fr Michael Winstanley, the GBR Provincial, was attended by many Salesian Priests, Brothers and Sisters. His parents and members of his immediate family drove from Scotland to be present and the singing was led by several of his former volunteer friends.

(l to r) Fr Francis Cereda, Fr Michael Winstanley and Fr John Dickson

By a fortunate coincidence, two members of the General Council were in the country at the time, improving their fluency in the English Language, and they were able to be in Bolton for the Mass. Fr Francis Cereda, Councillor for Formation, preached the homily and Br Claudio Marangio, Economer General, was one of the witnesses of Sandy's profession.

The Mass was followed by a festive meal in Thornleigh Community House.

(l to r) Fr Francis Cereda, Fr Michael Winstanley, Br Claudio Marangio and Br Sandy Fairley

Thanks to Br Daniel Sliwinski, a young Salesian student from the Polish Pila province, for the first three of the photographs above.