As Lent begins, we pray…
We thank you, Lord Jesus,
for the love you showed us.
You brought abundant life to a broken world.
You brought light to those in darkness.
And in the great sign of love,
you allowed your heart to be pierced,
that all might be one.
And so, Lord,
as we remember your opened heart,
we offer you our lives.
Send us into the world as you were sent.
May our hands and hearts be yours:
standing with those who are broken or despised,
sharing the fullness of grace we have received,
and showing the love you have given the world.
In this way,
may our reparation be a rule of life.
Amen.
PRAYER FROM This Day of God, Community Prayer Book of the Priests of the Sacred Heart
Postcard from South Africa
As noted previously, Fr. Charles Brown, SCJ, is in South Africa this semester teaching several classes. He sends the photo above, writing: “Here is my second-year seminarian class on the letters of St. Paul at St. Joseph’s Theological Institute, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The final exam is next week. Great fellows to work with. Five Dehonians in the class!”
Please remember
+Fr. Frans Vos, a member of the Dutch Region, died on February 26. He was born in 1935, professed in 1955 and ordained in December 1960.
Keep in prayer
Mark Hoffman, the brother-in-law of Br. Frank Presto, SCJ (married to his sister Tina) continues to be treated for cancer found in his lymph nodes, as well as previously identified skin cancer. His medical team recently outlined a combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment to be followed by approximately two years of continued immunotherapy sessions. The details of the plan are to be finalized soon. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Missed two!
Our apologies to Fr. Terry Langley, SCJ, and Frater Michael Wodarczyk, SCJ, whose birthdays were missed in last week’s listing for March. Fr. Terry’s birthday is on March 12 and Fra. Michael’s is on March 13. Happy birthday!!
Updates
Although he has been in the Milwaukee area for several months, as of today Fr. Tim Gray, SCJ, is a member of the Sacred Heart Community at SHML. He was previously a member of the Houston community. Welcome!
St. Joseph’s student aims for the stars
Marybella, a high school student who has been a part of the St. Joseph’s Indian School program since third grade, has been selected to take part in the prestigious Advanced Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. This summer, she will spend six days immersed in astronaut training, earning a college credit hour in general science while gaining hands-on experience. She’ll train like an astronaut using the 1/6th Gravity Chair and Multi-Axis Trainer, build and launch a rocket, experience neutral buoyancy in the Underwater Astronaut Trainer and much more.
To help raise money to take part in the camp (including travel expenses), Marybella sewed a traditional Lakota ribbon skirt and ribbon shirt and earned $1,200 by selling raffle tickets for them.
Mirabella’s dream is to one day work for NASA.
Upcoming Zoom events
Starting this week, several moments of reflection and formation are offered via Zoom by the Dehon Study Center and the Dehonian Associates Office. SCJs are welcome at all of the sessions and encouraged to invite coworkers, collaborators and others with whom they minister to join in. The ONLY session that is just for SCJs is the March 7th Hour of Reflection. Details follow:
Dehon Study Center Colloquium
The Dehon Study Center is hosting a three-part colloquium on Dilexit Nos led by Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, associate professor of Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. ANYONE is welcome to attend these sessions. The schedule is as follows:
MARCH 14
10:00 a.m. Central
Zoom meeting link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?omn=86778099715
JUNE 18
10:00 a.m. Central
Zoom meeting link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?omn=83058027610
AUGUST 12
10:00 a.m.
Zoom meeting link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?omn=82612443183
Questions about the Colloquium? Contact Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, at: 414-427-7265, jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org
Lenten Hours of Recollection
MARCH 7, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
For members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians)
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,” said Fr. Paul.
The Zoom link was sent via email to SCJs on Friday, and is available in the Members section of the US Province website.
MARCH 25, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
For Dehonian collaborators, including employees, volunteers, and others with a connection to the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Province pastors, managers and supervisors are asked to encourage their employees to attend the session if possible. SCJs are also welcome to take part.
Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, will speak on Dilexit Nos, the recent encyclical by Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88125439711?pwd=wtjWV92CJ3rJjXoUBahlFLdlN9oqkY.1
Sr. Kathleen Burns, IHM, will once again assist us with IT at both sessions. Should you need to contact her during one of the Zoom meetings, her information is as follows:
Kathleen Burns, IHM
Sisters of IHM
Technology Consultant
www.sistersofihm.org/tech
570-780-8882
Have you marked your calendar?
As noted last week, 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.
RSVP by March 7 to Monica Misey at mmisey@dehoniansusa.org or call 414-427-4267.
Second week in India
As noted last week, Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, was in the District of India for two weeks in February. Fr. Michael Augustine, SCJ, district superior, shares more photos from the visit. They include visits to: 1) Ananthapalli mission parish and its six mission stations (Telichicharla, Pothavaram, Chodavaram, Subadarapalem, Cheepurugudem, Pothineedupalem), and the pastoral community at Ananthapalli; 2) Vijnananilayam (the Institute of Philosophy and Theology) where he gave a talk to the CDN scholastics in Eluru, Andhrapradesh; and 3) Sacred Heart Parish, Vempadu (SCJ community House, tailoring center, host-making center) and its three substations (Bogapurum and two in Dasergudem). Also added are photos from the Dehonian Retreat at the CDN Scholasticate Community in Eluru (28 SCJs took part).
Click here to view the additional photos added to the online photo album.
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