Where am I being like Christ’s Heart?
On March 25, Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, gave the Lenten Hour of Reflection for employees, volunteers and other collaborators of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. His theme: “Dilexit nos and the Layers of the Heart,” Pope Francis’ encyclical on the love of the Heart of Christ.
“[In the encyclical] Pope Francis begins by talking about the heart and why it matters, especially in today’s world,” said Dr. Blackwood.” And then he turns his attention to Jesus and looks at the way Jesus lived out love. He zeros in on the actual part of Christ where that love came from and the idea of drinking in divine love. It’s a great image for the way that the Sacred Heart works in our Christian lives. Once you’ve taken it in, you pour it out for others.”
Dr. Blackwood goes on to say that “I think this document is a great Lenten read. It really helps you to think through the question of ‘Who am I?’ ‘What’s my heart like?’ ‘Where am I being like Christ’s heart?’ ‘Where am I not?’ It helps to identify what we need to pray about and work on to be more Christ-like, which is a big part of what Lent is about.”
According to Dr. Blackwood, Pope Francis emphasizes something very similar to what Fr. Dehon stressed: that “the heart is the place where all of the pieces of yourself come together, including what you think and what you feel, but also your physical self… [if the heart] is the center of us, what really needs to happen is that all of our actions need to be put under what Pope Francis calls ‘the political rule of the heart.’ In other words, the heart needs to be in-charge, not the intellect, not even the will, but the heart, that center of you.”
Click here or on the image above to view a recording of the presentation.
A year with Ven. Fr. Leo John Dehon
As the Priests of the Sacred Heart anticipate the 100th anniversary of the founder’s death on August 12, 2025, the Dehonian Associates Office has been preparing monthly biographical sketches and a social media graphic to share in ministries. Resources from September 2024 through April are available on the province website. Topics covered: Fr. Dehon’s early life, his initial years as a priest, social justice, the founder’s longing for a religious life, being the “People’s Priest,” the “Priest with a Pen,” the “Pope’s Preacher,” and for April, Fr. Dehon the “Missionary Priest.”
Click here to access the Centenary resources.
All items are available in English and Spanish. Each month’s mailing will be posted as it is available.
Click here for more information about the write-ups, or to be added to a mailing list to receive the monthly posts. You can also call Monica Misey, director of Dehonian Associates, at 414-427-4267 with questions or requests.
Happy birthday!
Those celebrating birthdays in April include Fr. Jim Walters on April 17, Fr. Hendrik Ardianto on April 24, Br. Duane Lemke on April 26, and Fra. Thuan Nguyen on April 29. Happy birthday!
Final reminder
All province budgets are due to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office by this Friday, April 4. Questions? Contract Kevin Stanke.
A new archbishop in Texas
Among those who were at the ticket-only installation of Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez for the archdiocese of Galveston-Houston were Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ (pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Houston), Fr. George Mordalski, SCJ (associate pastor) and the OLG school principal, Irazema S. Ortiz. Fr. Rafael and Ms. Ortiz are pictured above with the archbishop.
Please remember
+Fr. Antonio Dall’Osto, a member of the North Italian Province, died March 27. He was born in 1931, professed in 1948 and ordained in 1957.
Reminder: Arise and Worship
This Saturday, April 5, the Dehonians’ Vocation Office and Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology are partnering with Arise Milwaukee to host an Arise Worship Night in the seminary chapel. The evening will include Eucharistic Adoration, confessions and music. Fr. Henry Nguyen, SCJ, province vocation director, will lead Adoration and the Procession, and several other SCJs will be available for confession.
Click here for more information, or contact the Province Vocation Office.
Click here to subscribe to the weekly news (Fridge Notes) via email
