Month: September 2016

Meet the 2016-17 Formation Community!

The Dehon Formation Community in Chicago is home to an international, intergenerational community of professed SCJs and those discerning religious life with the congregation. The community not only houses the initial formation programs (candidacy, philosophy and theology) of the province but also welcomes SCJs from around the world on sabbatical or in graduate programs. In their own words, members of the Dehon Formation Community introduce themselves.

Weekly News: September 26, 2016

St. Joseph’s Indian School celebrates 40th annual powwow; Ottawa SCJs welcome Syrian refugee; novice master named; latest blog posts; prayer requests; SCJ ministers to student group; SHSST Cultural Fair coming up; SHSST commemorates Bl. Juan Maria with bilingual liturgy; birthdays; photos; provincial’s time

The Feast of Blessed Juan María de la Cruz

“Today we commemorate Blessed Juan María de la Cruz, SCJ, one of the 233 who were martyred during the years of civil strife in Spain and beatified by Pope St. John Paul II,” said Fr. Jim Walters in his homily at a bilingual feast-day Mass at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. “¿Qué significa hacerse mártir? ¿Cuánto le cuesta a uno? What does it mean to become a martyr? The martyr is called, in the words of Bishop Richard Sklba, ‘to offer a counter-cultural critique, a cultural ‘revolution’ of values from within, not by violence from without.'”

Weekly News: September 19, 2016

SCJ seminarian “jumps into” ministry in Brazil; religious educator coordinator reflects on the impact of the Dehonian charism on youth; celebrating the Indian holiday of Onam with eggs; prayers requests; reminders; latest SCJ News available; SHSST receives grant; celebrating the feast of Bl. Juan Maria; and provincial superior hosts provincial superior

Going out to the “real” world

“I have had the pleasure and great opportunity to work as a Coordinator of Religious Education under several SCJ pastors,” wrote Donna Williamson of Christ the King parish in Southaven, MS. “Many things can be taught to our children, but through the influence of the SCJs I have come to realize that it is just as important for us to teach our children to LIVE their faith, which is to take care of the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the lost”

Weekly News: September 12, 2016

The meaning of “remembrance;” Fr. Stephen Huffstetter reflects on Mother Teresa after taking part in canonization; address updates; prayer requests; profession anniversaries; Bethsaida Archaeological Expedition presentation at SHSST; reminders and thanks.

Remembrance leads to works of mercy

It is really quite significant that our country sets a specific day apart to recall one of our recent tragedies as a nation. September 11 is a National Day of Mourning and Remembrance for those who died in the terrorist attacks of 2001. Remembering sad events is one way that helps me grow as an SCJ priest. Sad events have a big impact on my life and I try to recall them in a redemptive manner, not in a morbid, negative manner.

Weekly News: September 6, 2016

Reflections at the start of a new school year; address updates (new printed directory in process); prayer requests; Cameroon provincial superior visits; registration reminders for Mission Education and North American retreats; provincial’s time.

The ministry of education

“When I began my calling to teach, I knew I wanted to help young people achieve their greatest potential inside and outside of the classroom,” writes Bridget Martin, principal of Sacred Heart School in Southaven, MS. “The opportunities I was given as a student, raised in a parish and school served by the SCJ community, empowered me with the knowledge I needed to change lives.”