Father Quinn invited groups, both youth and adult, from Mississippi, as well as Louisiana and around the United States to come visit for a week to share in the Mission Experience. That is how Father Benny came to visit the mission with a group from LaPlace, La., where he fell in love with the City and the people.
Father Benny was born in Padova, Italy and entered the Salesian Seminary when he was 11 years old. He originally came to the United States as a Salesian Brother in 1955 and taught in various schools until he returned to Italy to finish his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1964 and returned to the United States and worked in several places until he joined the Arch-Diocese of New Orleans in 1971. After serving as assistant pastor of St. Rita in Harahan and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kenner, La., he was appointed founding pastor of the Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in LaPlace, La. and served there for 27 years until his "retirement" in 2006. That is when he moved to the Mission in Saltillo. He served as assistant to the pastor until he was asked to take charge of the mission when the pastor returned to the United States to work in the Diocese of Jackson.
Father Benny took over a parish with a population about 10 times the size of the one in LaPlace and is large enough to be handled by 10 priests.
Father Benny said, "I loved working in LaPlace, but I truly love it here in Saltillo. The need here is great. The people are leaving the ranchos and moving to the barrios of the City of Saltillo seeking work and better living conditions. The mission church of San Miguel is right in the middle of the poorest section of Saltillo. People live in cardboard shacks, with no electricity and no running water."
Father Benny added, "This is where I need to be and I thank God every day for giving me the opportunity to serve Him through the poor of Saltillo."
Father Benny can be contacted at the mission by email at bennyinmex@yahoo.com
