The Salesians of Don Bosco, Canada and Eastern USA, Province of St. Philip the Apostle, celebrated the profession anniversary of a Lewiston native during an Oct. 29 gathering at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point, New York, according to a news release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.

Br. Bernard Dubé commemorated his 50th anniversary of religious profession. Originally from Lewiston, he was baptized at Sts. Peter & Paul Church and confirmed at Holy Family Church.

Dubé has nearly 50 years of youth ministry experience that has taken him throughout Toronto-Etobicoke, Ontario (where he served as the coordinator of youth ministry for St. Benedict Parish in Rexdale from 1988 to 1997 and as a provincial councilor for Canada from 2006 to 2009), Surrey, British Columbia, and the northeast United States.

He also served as a Salesian Family provincial councilor from 2009 to 2012.

He serves as the assistant coordinator of youth ministry at Salesian High School and is a resident at the Provincial House in New Rochelle, New York.

The Salesians of Don Bosco, Canada and Eastern USA, Province of St. Philip the Apostle, are part of an international community of consecrated religious, both brothers and priests, founded by St. John Bosco.

Their mission is to evangelize and educate young people, especially those who are poor and at risk, in the style of Don Bosco.