Month: April 2016

Returning to Vietnam as a missionary

For the past five years Fr. Francis Vu Tran has been doing graduate studies in scripture, first earning a licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome, and since then, working on his doctorate. He returned to the United States last year to finish writing his thesis and hoped that he would soon be putting his studies to work teaching. But as the old saying goes, God “writes straight with crooked lines.” Instead of SHSST, Fr. Francis is heading to Vietnam.

The role of finance in a religious congregation

The General Finance Commission met in Rome the week of April 18; among those serving on the commission is Dn. David Nagel, US Province Treasurer. He and other commission members are featured in a short video in which they discuss their work, as well as the role of finance in a religious congregation.

Weekly News: April 25, 2016

82nd anniversary of the establishment of the North American Province; plans underway for June 6-10 Province Assembly; new email address for province communications; updates and prayer requests; raising funds for Ecuador; Divine Heart Seminary reunion planned for May 21; new church blessed in India; honoring each other with art; Fr. Ed’s upcoming schedule

Devastation in Ecuador

Thankfully, members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart escaped harm from the recent earthquakes in Ecuador. However, many of the people to whom they minister were not as lucky. Ten parishioners in Bahía de Caráquez are among the dead and many more were injured. Homes and businesses were destroyed. “Everything is in shambles,” said Fr. Pedro. “We will need a lot of help for a long time. We want to scream, and one way to do that is through prayer. Our sweet God is there and that helps.”

Weekly News: April 18, 2016

Bishop Joseph Potocnak reflects on his vocation; 10 parishioners die and hundreds injured as a result of the earthquakes in Ecuador; new secretary general named; updates and prayer requests; Dehonian Associates resources available online; summer ESL program coming together; JPR director takes part in Ecumenical Advocacy Days in DC.

Weekly News: April 11, 2016

Preparing for WYD 2016; Fr. Stephen Huffstetter writes from Rome; updates; videos of panel discussion on migration now available; Fr. Frank Wittouck is the latest “Twenty Questions” feature; General Council shares news of its recent gathering; 9 SHSST seminarians make deacon promises; links to Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation; corrections and Fr. Ed’s schedule.

20 Questions with Fr. Frank Wittouck, SCJ

Favorite color? What makes you happy? What are you good at? What is your greatest fear… “Twenty Questions” is a regular feature in which SCJs and those with whom they minister and collaborate share a bit about themselves in an informal Q&A, each answering 20 questions. This week Fr. Frank Wittouck is on the receiving end of the questions. If you’d like to suggest someone for a 20Q interview, email: [email protected].

Weekly News: April 4, 2016

Panel discussion hosted by North American Immigration Committee looks at the root causes and possible responses to the current refugee crisis; new classroom blessed in India; news from Pinellas Park; prayer notices; SCJ seminarian reflects on the ministerial call to give and receive; Lower Brule Pastoral Team member talks reflects on suicide; Fr. Louis-Marie Butari back in Canada; a birthday celebration in Houston; commemorating Refugee Rights Day in Canada.