Dehonians sponsor Catholic women’s leadership gathering
Approximately 25 Milwaukee-area women gathered February 19 at the Provincial Conference Center in Franklin, WI, for the first of two sessions of the “Catholic Women Leaders’ Winter Series.” Organized by the Dehonian Associates Office and sponsored by the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians), the theme of this year’s series is “Leadership from the Saints.”
“The goal for this inaugural event is to provide space for initial community-building and formation,” said Monica Misey, director of Dehonian Associates. Women from across the Archdiocese of Milwaukee were invited to attend.
Grace Urbanski – educator, author and speaker – was the presenter. The two saints that Grace reflected on were Margaret Mary Alacoque and Claude de la Colombiere and their relationship to the Sacred Heart. “How has encountering the Sacred Heart affected our hearts?” she asked the women gathered. “What are the Sacred Heart’s implications for leadership?”
Closing the evening with prayer, Monica noted that “We are here at the conference center of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Their founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon, saw the importance of bringing people together from all walks of life for prayer, fellowship and formation. My hope is that these conferences will help to meet unmet needs of this leadership group, but also to continue the traditions and priorities of Fr. Dehon.”
The next session will be held on March 19.
Dehon Study Center Open House
The Dehon Study Center will host an Open House and Rededication on March 18 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. “There will be an overview of the Dehon Study Center, appetizers and refreshments, and a rededication ceremony as we gather to belatedly celebrate the birthday of Fr. Dehon,”writes Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, the center’s director. The center is located in the Provincial Conference Center (vocation wing). Questions? Contact Fr. Joseph at 414-427-7265 or jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org.
Links available for Lenten hours of recollection
MARCH 7 – Fr. Paul Phong Hoang, SCJ, will lead the annual Lenten Zoom reflection for SCJs. The topic: “Finding Purpose”. After presenting perspectives from philosophies and other faith traditions, he will offer the Christian perspective to the question “What is the meaning of life?” “We will spend time in group discussion reflecting on how we, as Dehonians, can find purpose in our lives and ministries,” he said.
The presentation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (central). SCJs in the US and Canada were sent the link via email on February 12. The link is also available on the home page of the Members Section of the US Province website.
MARCH 25 – The annual Lenten Zoon reflection for collaborators will be presented by Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, who will speak on Dilexit Nos, the recent encyclical by Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart. The presentation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (central); The Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88125439711?pwd=wtjWV92CJ3rJjXoUBahlFLdlN9oqkY.1
Please note that SCJs are welcome to participate in the session with Dr. Blackwood, and encouraged to invite those with whom they minister to take part.
Updates
US PROVINCE – Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, will assume the role of Residential Coordinator for the English and Culture Studies (ECS) Program, starting May 1, 2025. His main responsibility will be to provide guidance and support to ECS students, the majority of whom are Dehonians from various entities, as they engage in the study of the English language and U.S. customs and culture at SHSST. Br. Andy is pictured above during his hike of the Camino de Santiago.
CANADIAN REGION – Fr. Louis-Marie Butari, SCJ, was recently appointed pastor of the Ste-Gertrude and St-Vincent-Marie-Strambi parishes in Montreal North. The St-Vincent-Marie-Strambi parish includes the St-Rémi church, also in Montreal North.
CANADIAN REGION – Fr. Hygin Nlandu Ngaka, SCJ, was appointed vicar at the Notre-Dame-de-l’Alliance parish (St-Bernardette and St-Mathieu churches) replacing Fr. Louis-Marie.
Happy birthday!
Those celebrating birthdays in March include: Fr. Joe Dean and Fr. Ziggy Morawiec on March 3, Fr. Jim Brackin on March 4, Fr. Joseph Mukuna on March 5, Frater Jonathan Nguyen Vuong on March 7, Fr. Pat Lloyd on March 17, Fr. Richard MacDonald on March 18, Fr. Charles Brown on March 19, Fr. Frank Wittouck on March 23 and Fr. Jim Schroeder on March 30.
Keep in prayer
Fr. Chuck Wonch, SCJ, has been hospitalized for weakness and gastrointestinal concerns. Br. Duane Lemke, SCJ, superior of the Sacred Heart Community at SHML, reports that although he is still quite weak, Fr. Chuck’s strength and spirits are improving and he has done some physical therapy. He is scheduled to be discharged later today (Feb. 24).
Dehonian retreats in India
Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, is with our Dehonians in India for two weeks leading several retreats. Our thanks to Fr. Michael Augustine, SCJ, district superior, who shared photos from the past few days. The first retreat was last week at the Franciscan Centre, Karukutty, Kerala.
“There were 30 participants and all of them felt spiritually refreshed and renewed as Dehonians in this Jubilee Year,” said Fr. Michael. “We are grateful to Fr. Vien of the US Province.”
The second retreat takes place this week in Eluru, Andhrapradesh. During the visit, Fr. Vien has had the opportunity to visit several of the student communities and missions of the district.
Click here or on the image above to view photos shared by Fr. Michael.
Prayer for the Dehonian Jubilee (2024-2028)
Last week the General Administration shared a prayer that has been created for the Dehonian Jubilee (the Centenary of the Death of Leo John Dehon and the Sesquicentenary of the Founding of the Congregation). Please incorporate it in your community and personal prayers. Click here to access it on the general website in several languages.
“For Him I live: It is Christ who lives in me”
Holy Scripture
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)
We pray…
Jesus,
your heart, opened on the cross,
is the great sacrament of God’s love for the world.
Grounded in the faith experience of your servant,
Leo John Dehon,
we celebrate this joyous time of jubilee.
We recall his devotion to your heart
and his commitment to social action.
Merciful Savior,
as the Dehonian family,
we wish to join in your oblation to the Father
so may you always live in us.
With the intercession of Mary,
your blessed mother,
we ask for the grace to bring
our Founder’s devotion and action
into new times and places.
Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer:
make our time of jubilee
an ever-new sign of God’s infinite love
in the heart of the world.
Amen.
Welcome to South Dakota!
As we noted earlier, the Sacred Heart Monastery community held a missionary send-off ceremony for Srs. Ramona Pandan and Grecely Tangcogo. Both are members of the Missionary Congregation of Mary (MCM), a diocesan religious community based in the Philippines. The two sisters arrived last week in South Dakota where they will partner with our Dehonian ministries. Pictured here from L-R are Mike Tyrell (president of St. Joseph’s Indian School), Sr. Grecely, Sr. Clary Joy Palasan, TMM, Sr. Yollie Nobabos, TMM, Sr. Ramona, and Fr. Greg Schill.
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