“A gentle man filled with compassion for others”
“A man of faith, love and patience” is how Fr. Jim Walters, remembered fellow SCJ Fr. Frank Burshnick. “Always welcoming,” said Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ. “A gentle man filled with compassion for others,” added Fr. Richard MacDonald, SCJ.
On February 28, the province celebrated the life of Fr. Frank, who died February 21 in Pinellas Park, FL. He was 82, professed for 53 years and ordained 49. Province services were held at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. Fr. Richard MacDonald was homilist, and Fr. Quang Nguyen, SCJ, vice provincial superior, was the main celebrant. Interment was in the community mausoleum behind Sacred Heart Monastery.
In Florida, services were on February 25. Among the ten concelebrants were several priests from the diocese of St. Petersburg. Also in attendance were parishioners from St. Brendan’s parish, where Fr. Frank often celebrated Mass, the Pinellas Hope Homeless Shelter (Fr. Frank visited with people at the shelter), and the local Indonesian Catholic community.
Click here to view photos from the February 28 Mass in Wisconsin.
Oops, missed one!
Our apologies to candidate Michael Wodarczyk whom we missed in last week’s March birthday listings. Michael celebrates his 32nd birthday on March 13. His and other birthdays of SCJs in the US and Canada are listed in North American Google calendar. Click here to access it. The calendar is also available from a link at the bottom of each page in the province website, and from the calendar link at the end of the e-mail version of the Fridge Notes.
Keep in prayer
Br. Clay Diaz, SCJ, was admitted to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee to manage cardiac issues.
Br. Ray Kozuch, SCJ, was hospitalized last week with an infection. He is at Wheaton Franciscan on 27th Street in Franklin, WI.
Congregational Necrology
The updated Necrology of the congregation (2016-2019) is available as a PDF. Click here to access it from the congregational website.
Click here to view the North American necrology on the US Province website.
Thank you
Fr. Mark Fortner, SCJ, thanks SCJs, co-workers and friends for their prayers and support following the passing of his sister, Mary Psaris.
Ash Wednesday at Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart
Bishop Jeffrey Haines, auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee, was the main celebrant at last week’s Ash Wednesday Mass at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. He also gave two morning presentations to the seminary community as part of its Day of Recollection. Click here to view photos from the Mass.
On “Fat Tuesday” at Sacred Heart School in Southaven, MS, Br. Diego Diaz, SCJ, explained the tradition and process of burning palms which would be distributed to students at primary school by Fr. David Szatkowski, SCJ, the next day.
Provincial Council meetings
The Provincial Council meets Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The meeting will begin with a morning of extended prayer and reflection at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake before getting down to the business tasks of the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Prayer, Penance and Alms Giving
From India, Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, writes that it is the season “of the three DO(s): Prayer, Penance and Alms Giving.
“In India, while there are things left to the individual, there are also communitarian penance practices that the community observes by mutual consent. Each year the community sits down to discuss what we will do this Lenten season. It has varied from year to year, what sacrifices we’ll adopt, and what act of charity we might like to perform. The consensus this year was to abstain from meat and fowl, limit fish to twice a week, and eggs to three times a week. The money saved will go to the medical expenses of Srinivasan (Shrinu), a young man who lived with us last semester who met with a serious bike accident and is in serious condition.
“On the spiritual side, there’s already a lot we do daily: morning and evening prayer, Adoration and Mass. In the spirit of the season, we have Stations of the Cross on Fridays led by one of our three animation groups. There may be other things that will spring up, such as this weekend’s three-day charismatic preaching at the Eluru cathedral that most of the brothers are attending.”
Fr. Tom will be in India through the end of spring, assisting with the formation program.
First assignment
For the past year, Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ, of the Brazil – Sao Paulo Province, has been preparing for ministry in the United States, taking classes in English, Spanish and American culture. This week, he begins his first assignment as a member of the pastoral team at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Houston. Fr. Rafael (pictured with Fr. Yvon in the Ash Wednesday story) is 40, professed 19 years and ordained 12. In Brazil he served in parish ministry and formation, as well as on the Provincial Council for the BSP Province. Congratulations on your new assignment and welcome!
St. Joe’s students visit state capitol
Recently, eighth graders from St. Joseph’s Indian School traveled to Pierre, SD, to learn about the South Dakota State Legislature and tour the historical capitol building. During their visit, the students met with their state senator, Troy Heinert. He, like the students, is of Native American background. The students sat in on a senate session to experience firsthand how legislation moves forward on proposed bills. Participants are pictured below in the capitol building.
General Finance Commission meets in Hales Corners
The General Finance was originally scheduled to have its spring meeting in Vietnam. However, due to travel restrictions as a result of the coronavirus\, the meeting has been moved to Hales Corners, WI. It is scheduled for March 26-27. However, as with much travel at this time, the dates are subject to change should further restrictions be implemented.
Congratulations!
Br. Diego Diaz shares the photo below of his new niece, Paz del Milagro Díaz Ale, who was born was born on February 21 in Catamarca, Argentina. Her parents are Br. Diego’s brother Sergio (pictured below) and his sister-in-law Alejandra. Congratulations also to Dr. James Stroud, assistant professor of Moral Theology at SHSST, and his wife Katherine, who celebrated the birth of their daughter, Emilia, on February 28.
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