“I would like to see no one come to us who does not leave a better person. Is not the special grace of the Priests of the Sacred Heart to touch the hearts of all?”
-Fr. Leo John Dehon
Commemorating the founder
This Wednesday, August 12, is the 95th anniversary of the death of Fr. Leo John Dehon, founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians).
The US Province website has a variety of materials and resources about the founder and the spirituality which he inspired. One of the most recent additions is “Quotes from Fr. Dehon,” prepared by David Schimmel, province director of Dehonian Associates. David writes:
“When the Priests of the Sacred Heart was still a very young Congregation, Fr. Dehon wrote in his diary: ‘I would like to see no one come to us who does not leave a better person. Is not the special grace of the Priests of the Sacred Heart to touch the hearts of all?’
“While he was probably referring to those who were discerning life as an SCJ, his wish could certainly be extended to all whom the Priests of the Sacred Heart touch in their ministries. These short quotes from the writings of Fr. Dehon are arranged by theme: the liturgical calendar, social consciousness, spirituality, friendship, and Priests of the Sacred Heart. Appropriate for use in church bulletins, newsletters, correspondence, bulletin boards, and other Dehonian communications, these inspiring words have the power to touch hearts.”
Click here to access the quotes.
Links to other resources from the Dehonian Associates office and the Dehon Study Center can be found on the Dehonian Spirituality page. These include back issues of the Dehonian Spirituality weekly e-publication, Dehonian Esprit de Coeur mailings, Dehon Study Center mailings, Sketching in Nature (June 2020 e-blast of one-minute daily mediations), Prayers to the Loving Heart of Jesus (electronic booklet), Dehonian Associates Prayer Book and Rule of Life, a poster created for Schools in Collaboration, and the Spiritual Path discernment program.
Click here to access the page directly. It can also be accessed from the top of any page within the US Province website.
First Professions
On Saturday, August 15, Thien Nguyen, Thuan Nguyen, Hung Pham and Truc Tran will make their First Profession of Vows. Because of the pandemic, the ceremony will only be open to SCJs in the Milwaukee area. However, it will be livestreamed on the US Province Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PriestsoftheSacredHeart/) beginning at 11:00 a.m. central. You do not need to be a member of Facebook to see the video, which will also be saved on the page for later viewing.
If you plan to attend in person and have not responded, please contact Mary Gorski by phone (414-427-4266) or email. All in attendance will be expected to wear a mask except the main celebrant and those others, such as readers, who will remove their masks briefly as needed.
Happy anniversary!
August 15 has become the traditional date for First Professions in the US Province. Those celebrating their anniversaries of First Profession on Saturday include: Fr. Bryan Benoit (1988), Fr. Jim Brackin (1972), Fr. Charles Brown (1976), Fr. Juan Carlos Castañeda Rojas (2013), Fr. Joseph-Thien Dinh (1995), Frater Paul Phong Hoang (2018), Fr. Stephen Huffstetter (1982), Fr. Ralph Intranuovo (1979), Br. Duane Lemke (1997), Frater Kodjovi Hubert Liassidji (2019), Fr. Mark Mastin (2003), Fr. Peter McKenna (1978), Fr. Greg Murray (2000), Fr. Bob Naglich (1977), Fr. Élie Munzungu Kasonto-Ngoy (2002), Frater Henry Nguyen (2018), Frater John Huan Nguyen (2019), Fr. Quang Nguyen (1995), Fr. Vien Nguyen (1997), Fr. Thi Pham (2002), Br. Frank Presto (1976), Fr. Jim Schifano (1972), Fr. David Szatkowski (1997) and Br. Brian Tompkins (2007)
Also celebrating jubilees this week: Fr. Paulin Makiale (August 11, 2001), Fr. Edgard Biankeu (August 12, 2004), Fr. Gustave Lulendo N’dotony (August 12, 1996), Fr. Jean-Claude Mbassi (August 12, 2001), Fr. Joseph Mukuna (August 12, 1999) and Br. Dieudonné Tchouteu (August 12, 1985). Happy anniversary!
Jubilee celebration postponed
Due to travel restrictions and other concerns related to the pandemic, the 2020 Province Jubilee Celebration, scheduled for September 18, is postponed until next year. Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ, made the decision in dialogue with this year’s jubilarians. Those celebrating jubilees this year include: Br. Bernard Taube (70 years), Fr. Byron Haaland and Br. Ray Kozuch (50 years), Fr. Christianus Hendrik and Fr. Andrzej Sudol (30 years), and Fr. Joseph-Thien Dinh, Br. Andrzej Gancarzcyk, Quang Ngyen and Fr. Ed Zemlik (25 years).
Birthday omission
In our birthday listings earlier this month we missed Fr. Praveen Kumar Richard, SCJ, whose birthday was on August 3. A member of the South Dakota community, Fr. Praveen Richard turned 33 this year. Happy birthday!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Frater (Paul) Phong Hoang, SCJ (pictured above), who renewed his vows Friday during community prayer at Sacred Heart Monastery. The renewal was received by Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ, provincial superior. Frater Paul is in his fifth year of formation and attends Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. He first professed vows in 2018.
Please remember
Henry Gancarczyk, the father of Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, died August 5 of respiratory failure following a massive stroke. He had been in palliative care for several months. Due to the coronavirus, Br. Andy is unable to travel to Poland to be with his family.
Pam MacDonald, the sister-in-law of Fr. Richard MacDonald, SCJ, died yesterday, August 9, of complications from COVID-19. “She was 75 and was married to my deceased brother, John,” wrote Fr. Mac. “Please pray for her and her daughter and son. We all remain grateful for the SCJs and the prayers offered for our families. Thank you all for your support.”
Rich Bossie, the brother of Fr. Bob Bossie, SCJ, also died yesterday. “Claudia, his wife of 25 years, and I were by his side the whole time,” wrote Fr. Bob. “Please remember him and all our family in prayer. We thank everyone for your loving support and prayers these latter days.”
Keep in prayer
Last week Fr. Bob Tucker, SCJ, was scheduled to be transferred from Loyola Medical Center to RML Rehab Hospital in Hinsdale for vent weaning and intensive therapy following his lung transplant. All systems were go and transportation was arranged. Unfortunately, labs came back that showed an elevated white count. Fr. Bob was diagnosed with a new pneumonia in his left lung (transplanted lung). In addition to another course of IV antibiotics, other medication adjustments have had to be made help knock out the pneumonia. He will be staying in the MICU at Loyola until this resolves.
Preparing for school in Mississippi
Sacred Heart School in Southaven, MS, and Holy Family School in Holly Springs, are starting the school year this month with a hybrid system that includes on-campus and distance learning for students. Prior to the beginning of the school year, parents had the option to choose on-site or virtual classes for their children. Approximately two-thirds opted for on-site learning.
For those on campus, the school year will look quite different. To limit the amount of exposure between students and staff members, class sizes were evaluated to ensure proper physical distancing. Desks are spaced apart and furniture was adjusted or removed to accomplish the task. The tables used in the kindergarten classes were fitted with Plexiglas dividers.
For students doing distance learning, teachers will provide instruction, learning materials and assignments through various online platforms such as Google Classroom, Zoom, SeeSaw and others. Teachers will also be available weekdays to assist students with work, email and answer questions from children and their parents. Extra adult monitors will be online to comply with Virtus guidelines.
Fr. David Szatkowski, SCJ, is pictured above with Principal Bridget Martin and Sr. Margaret Sue Broker, reviewing the changes for the weekly school Mass at Sacred Heart. Each week, one class will be invited to the school chapel to celebrate Mass in person. The remainder of the student body will participate in their classroom via the live feed. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Eucharistic ministers will distribute communion to the individual classrooms.
And speaking of Mississippi, pictured below is Fr. Hendrik Ardianto, SCJ (“Fr. Ardi”), celebrating Mass on July 24 for the first time at Holy Spirit parish in Hernando, MS. Fr. Ardi recently joined the pastoral team in northern Mississippi, which includes Fr. David Szatkowski, SCJ and Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ; the team serves six parishes.
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