July 26, 2010

Fr. Bill Pitcavage, vice provincial, receives Br. Clay's vow renewal.

Congratulations!

Br. Clay Diaz renewed his vows at St. James Parish in Chamberlain, S.D., on July 23.  Fr. Bill Pitcavage, pastor of St. James, received them.  Br. Clay is doing his pastoral year in South Dakota.

“I’ve been with the Priests of the Sacred Heart for the past seven years, first as a candidate, then as a novice and now in vows,” he wrote.

Born in Massachusetts, Br. Clay was living in Puerto Rico when he first came in contact with the SCJs as a young adult.  He became a candidate in August, 2003. “Throughout theses years I have grown to love this community; I have grown both spiritually and personally.”

After graduating from Xavier University in Chicago in December, Br. Clay began his pastoral year of ministry in South Dakota.  Next year he will begin studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

“I want to thank the community for its support through all these years,” he added.

Fraters Duy Nguyen and Greg Schill will do their renewals in Argentina, where they are studying Spanish.

Br. Long Ngyuen will renew his vows on August 3 during a 10 a.m. liturgy at Sacred Heart School of Theology.  All SCJs and co-workers are welcome to attend.

Mark your calendars!

Several province celebrations will take place in the months ahead. Luis Fernando Orozco Cardona and Joseph Pham Vu will make their first professions on Sunday, August 15.  The mass will be at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Monastery with a luncheon following.  All SCJs are invited.  Invitations will go out this week.

On October 2, Frater Greg Schill and Br. Long Nguyen will make their final professions.  And on October 10, Frater Duy Nguyen will be ordained to the diaconate.  The ceremony will take place on October 10 at 4 p.m. at Christ the King Church in Southaven, Miss.  Invitations will go out later in the summer.

Br. Lenny Zaworski with members of the Indian District who professed final vows last week in Brazil.

Speaking of…

Speaking of Fraters Duy Nguyen and Greg Schill, they were able to join in the celebration of four Indian SCJs who professed final vows in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 24.  Fr. Attilio Zorzetti, provincial of the Argentine Province, received the vows.  The four have been doing a pastoral year in Brazil under the supervision of Frs. Sebastian Pitz (of Brazil) and Eduardo Agüero.  Fr. Eduardo is also supervising Fraters Duy and Greg during their Spanish language studies in Argentina.

Continuing the circle of international connections, both Frs. Sebastian and Eduardo studied in Sacred Heart School of Theology’s ESL program.

Br. Leonard Zaworski, an American SCJ of the Indian District, represented the Indian District at the ceremony.  He posted photos from it at the district’s photo site.  Click here to view them.

Provincial’s time

Fr. Cassidy will take part in the province assembly July 26-27.  Starting August 2 he will be in California for CMSM board meetings and then the CMSM national meeting through August 7.  August 9-13 he will be a part of the LCWR conference.

Happy birthday

Those celebrating birthdays in August include Fr. Steve Pujdak (67) on Aug. 2, Br. Peter Mankins (81), Br. Bernard Taube (78) and Fr. Walter van As (87) on Aug. 8, Fr. Leonard Elder (69) on Aug. 19, Br. Ray Kozuch (65) on Aug. 22, Br. Frank Snider (64) and Br. Frank Presto (55) on Aug. 28, Fr. Joseph George Coppens (90) on Aug. 29 and Fr. Herman Falke (82) on Aug. 31.

Transitions

Fr. Steve Wiese is moving to the assisted living section of the Congregational Home today, July 26.  He will be in apartment 2206.  His phone is the same: 262-373-1288.

Lisa Brahm is no longer with the Provincial Offices; her last day was July 19.  We wish her well.

Please remember

Fr. Carlo Largher, an Italian SCJ who had been a member of the Argentine Province, died July 20.  He was born in 1928, professed in 1946 and ordained in 1955.

Robert McNiff, the brother-in-law of Fr. Jerry Clifford, recently died.

In the news

Several SCJs know the Graham family in Milwaukee.  Barbara Graham was recently highlighted in an article in the Milwaukee Catholic Herald Citizen in regards to her work with Catholic Charities and its efforts to protect the Spanish-speaking from poorly-trained “notarios” (unlicensed representatives who offer legal services).

Click here to read the article.