SCJ seminarian reflects on the horrors of human trafficking
Frater James Nguyen is member of the Dehon Formation Community, studying at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He wrote an extensive reflection about his experience this summer with “One Body Village,” an organization that focuses on rescuing and protecting children from sex trafficking in Asia.
“The reality is that human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry ($32 billion), falling just behind drug trafficking,” begins James. “About 30 million people are enslaved around the world. Of that number, 2 million are children who are bought, sold and kidnapped for sex every day.
“For four weeks this summer, I had a chance to encounter that reality in Cambodia. It literally tore my heart apart because those statistics are not merely numbers, they have faces. I have worked with middle-school-age kids for many years so this made it particularly painful. Nothing that I have done could prepare me for such an emotionally and spiritually draining experience. But the heaviness that it carries also brings an abundance of joy and hope because these girls are so beautiful, precious and deserve so much better, especially for what they have gone through…
“Had I known all the sufferings and heartbreaks I had to endure, I would not have had the courage to travel to Cambodia. But looking back, when I was in those dark moments of hopelessness, I remembered Fr. Leo Dehon’s words on his deathbed, ‘For him I lived, for him I die. He is my everything, my life, my death and my eternity.’ This means that I must follow Jesus more closely and trust in Him no matter what the cost.”
Click here to read James’ full reflection on the province website.
ESL liturgy
Reflecting the many cultures that are a part of the ESL program (English as a Second Language), as well as the school itself, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology held an international liturgy on September 3. Featured in it were the languages spoken by students who are a part of the seminary’s ESL program. Many of the ESL students are finishing their summer studies this week and returning to their home countries.
The main celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Javier Bustos, SHSST administrator and instructor. An alumnus of the ESL program, he closed the liturgy by thanking the program’s many volunteers and teachers who have helped hundreds become proficient in English, “including me!” he added.
The annual ESL Cultural Fair will be Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the dining hall of SHSST.
Click here to view a photo album from the liturgy.
International community grows in Toronto
Fr. Bene de Moraes Machado, former district superior of the Philippines, is now a member of the SCJs’ community in Toronto.
“It excites me to be here in Toronto, a new opportunity God has given me to know different people, different faith expressions and especially, the SCJ confreres here,” he said.
Originally from Brazil, Fr. Bene spent much of the past 20 years in the Philippines, where he was superior of the district before it became a region in 2012.
Click here to read more about him on the province website.
“If I could walk again I would serve in the Dehonian mission in Mozambique”
Life-threatening complications from a badly injured knee set Silvia Bertozzi on a path toward her vocation as a consecrated virgin living the Dehonian charism.
She was 33 and in an intensive physical therapy program near Bologna, Italy, when “I realized that I needed to mend more than my body, I needed to mend my heart and my faith,” she said.
As Silvia struggled to regain her physical health, her faith began to heal with the help of an SCJ priest who became her spiritual director. Through him, she recovered a devotion to the Sacred Heart that first took root when she was a child.
“My devotion to the Sacred Heart was rediscovered and grew during my convalescence, shaped more and more by the Dehonian charism,” she said. “I made a private promise to God that if I could walk again I would serve in the Dehonian mission in Mozambique.”
Silvia was able to fulfill that promise and did serve in Mozambique. In 2008, she became a consecrated virgin with her spirituality based in the charism of Fr. Leo John Dehon. In May, she was named to the international Dehonian Family organizing committee.
Click here to read her story on the province website.
JPR news
Mark Peters, province director of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation, has begun publishing reflective items on the province website. Eventually, this will lead to a JPR web page. Click here to read the first reflection.
New citizen!
Br. Dieudonné Tchouteu, a member of the Montréal community, officially became a Canadian citizen this week during a ceremony at the Château Champlain Hotel in Montréal. He was one of 375 people from 60 countries receiving citizenship at the ceremony. Fr. Maurice Légaré represented the community at the celebration.
Soap update
No, not a soap opera update, but instead, an update on “Gifts for the Journey,” a non-profit social enterprise run by women with a history of abuse, prostitution and/or addiction. The women make and sell specialty soaps and other bath products as they rebuild and take charge of their lives.
Fr. Johnny Klingler, a member of the community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake, has a special interest in the program. One of the driving forces behind Gifts for the Journey is Mary McCauley, a student of his when he was a volunteer tutor at Milwaukee’s Benedict Center.
“On August 28 Mary came to speak about the program to residents at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake,” said Fr. Johnny. Of course, she brought some soap to sell and “in just a short period of time she sold over $600 worth, equal to what took us a whole afternoon to sell the last time she was there.”
Gifts for the Journey will be back at SHML during the Christmas season. Until then, click here if you would like to learn more about the organization and find out how you can make a purchase.
Asian bound
Fr. Stephen Huffstetter is on his way to Asia today! From September 4-24 Fr. Steve will be visiting SCJ communities in the Philippines and Vietnam. Also in Asia is Fr. Wayne Jenkins, who left a few days ago to spend a week in the Philippines and another three weeks in Vietnam. He will be doing archival work in both locations.
And, Fr. Tom Cassidy returns to India today. He will be there until October 20. Besides assisting the district with administrative work, he will serve as moderator of its chapter.
Fridge Notes schedule change
As noted last week, we are publishing ONE issue of Fridge Notes for the weeks of September 1 and 8. We will return to the regular Monday publishing schedule on September 15.
Don’t forget to also check the province Facebook page for news items from the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
